Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients of Dr. Stephen Jarvie.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, our team at Dr. Stephen Jarvie's office thought we'd share a few good oral hygiene tips with our patients, courtesy of the American Dental Association, or ADA.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush, using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.
• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and place between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.
• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruits and cheese and avoid sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, make sure to brush after doing so.
• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these beverages create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. When drinking one of these beverages, avoid sipping on it throughout the day. Rather, have a drink and then brush your teeth.
• Regular dental visits: You should visit us regularly (approximately every six months).

National Children's Dental Health Month, now in its 62nd year, aims to increase awareness about the importance of kids' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Jarvie's office, please feel free to give us a call!

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Stephen Jarvie. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit with Dr. Jarvie. In observance of Heart Month, it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment, please give us a call today.

How many times have we bit the side of our cheek or tongue assuming that, although painful, within a week to ten days the sore would be gone? Most people that are diagnosed with precancerous lesions have no symptoms, such as pain, to alert them of the fact that something may be terribly wrong.

Each year 30,000 people die of oral cancer and the sad reality is that the vast majority of these cases could have been caught much earlier. With early detection treatment could have been less radical or invasive with a more successful outcome. We all know about the risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, compromised immune systems and poor nutritional support that might increase the likelihood of precancerous tissue changes. However, how do we know when a sore spot occurs if it is something we need to have checked?

Any lesion or sore that has been present for more than two weeks should be examined. In our office we use a treatment protocol consisting of a visual exam at which notations are made concerning the size, shape and characteristics of the lesion. A two week follow up is scheduled and if the lesion is still present a special light called a Velscope is used which aids in further identifying the extent and seriousness of the sore. If there is superficial changes to the tissue a brush biopsy may be done, which is a simple, noninvasive way to collect cells to be analyzed by an oral pathology lab. If the results are positive for further treatment then a referral to an oral surgeon would be recommended for removal and follow up.

Mouth sores can and do occur the question of how serious is one we need to pay attention to, especially if an individual falls into the higher risk categories. April is oral cancer awareness month. If you do have any concerns regarding areas in the mouth that seem to not heal, please contact our office to set up a free exam. Remember catching something early is really your best medicine!! 708-479-9797