We are happy to announce that Darby Dental Smiles will be re-opening its doors on May 4 for all patient treatment.  We would like to share with you the safety measures we have in place.
 
Since our time in Mechanicsburg, we have invested in our practice, our team, and our patient care with the mindset of having the most pristine, safe, and technologically advanced facility that dental healthcare has to offer. We always pride ourselves in going above and beyond what our regulatory agencies require.  We prioritize health and safety for our team members, our patients, and our family members alike. Those efforts will not stop and our practice will continue to be on the cutting edge in the face of this challenge.
 
With the recent news and outbreak of COVID-19, it has become increasingly important to maintain proper disinfection, sterilization, and cleanliness in all aspects of our care. The great news is that we already exceed the requirements that have been asked for all healthcare providers and in usual fashion, we plan to implement even more ways to increase safety precautions.
 
The following are additional protocols we put in place that go above and beyond standard requirements and exceed the vast majority of healthcare facilities:

• Medical grade HEPA filtration system placed in each one of our treatment rooms.
• Increased aerosol removal during preventative appointments.

Here are some things you can expect when you arrive at Darby Dental Smiles:

• Upon arrival we will be implementing a virtual reception process where you call from your car when you arrive and we will let you know when to come in.
• We will check your temperature, disinfect your hands, and screen all patients with a health questionnaire.
• Level 3/Surgical Masks will be provided for those patients who enter our facility who are not wearing facial coverings
• We will limit the number of patients present and stagger appointments to limit the number of patients at any given time in our office.
• Our team will look different and will be going well above and beyond all required safety measures for your safety including face shields and hair coverings.

We ask that patients limit bringing family members to their appointments and allow only one parent to accompany their child for appointments.
 
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 937.834.2252 or book an appointment online.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
 
Sincerely,
The Team at Darby Dental Smiles

 “Is my previously scheduled appointment still valid?”
Yes it is. Our team will be contacting each patient via our normal text confirmation system. Previously scheduled appointments will still be valid.
 
“What if I don’t feel comfortable coming in yet?”
We understand that we all have different risk factors. We’re here for you when you are ready.
 
“Can I get in sooner than my scheduled appointment?”
Yes you can. Many patients have had to put off non-emergency care for some time. Please call our team at 937.834.2252 or book an appointment online. We will be working hard to provide everyone care as soon as possible.

Our goal at Darby Dental Smiles is to help our patients achieve a beautiful, healthy smile through continuous education and stellar dental services. Here are some professional tips to help you achieve that goal!

1. Our top priority is to make sure you have a healthy mouth. The first course of action is to detect any active disease or abnormalities. Your dental providers complete a series of screenings to review your overall health- this includes reviewing medical history, blood pressure screening, oral cancer screening, dental radiographs, periodontal (gum) measurements, hard tissue (teeth) examination, and assessment of jaw/teeth alignment. This data allows your dental providers to create a personalized course of action that will facilitate long-lasting dental health just for you, which will improve your quality of life! Regular dental checkups are necessary to catch any underlying issues, maintain healthy oral care, and educate you on how to care for your teeth properly. You can easily make your dental appointments by calling (937) 834-2269 or by scheduling online.
   
   
2. How many diseases have specific tools that help you to prevent it from occurring? It is vital to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time. Whether you’re running late in the morning or too tired at night, it is easy to neglect proper oral hygiene habits. Brushing helps eliminate the food and plaque that collects around your teeth. Additionally, it decreases the number of harmful bacteria that can contribute to oral diseases. We recommend a soft-bristled electric toothbrush.
   
   
3. When is the last time you flossed? It’s no joke, flossing is essential to oral health. Plaque, bacteria, and food can get stuck in between the teeth where your toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Brushing alone will not remove all of those harmful substances that can cause cavities, bone loss, and infection - so flossing daily is an essential daily ritual to maintain. Waterpiks are an excellent option for those with braces, bridges, or periodontal pocketing. It’s important to remember that Waterpiks do not substitute for conventional flossing, though use it in addition to your regular oral care routine!
   
   
4. Smoking cessation. Not only does smoking significantly affect your overall health, but it plays a vital role in your oral health as well. Smoking decreases the size of the blood vessels in your mouth. The blood supplies nutrients to the teeth, gums, and bone around the teeth. Blood also delivers important defense mechanisms to areas of infection. Decreased blood flow leads to slower healing and inadequate immune response to harmful bacteria. The bacteria that cause gum disease accumulate faster and in more significant numbers with smokers compared to non-smokers. These factors increase smoker’s risk for periodontal disease, which causes bone loss around the teeth and gum recession.
   
   
5. Teeth whitening: it requires continual maintenance. There are various whitening products that your dental provider can discuss with you. First, it is important to ask if you are even a candidate for whitening. Remember, pigmented foods/drinks, such as coffee, red meat, tea, and wine, cause significant staining. Rinsing with water after consuming those items reduces staining. Biannual dental cleanings remove stains as well!
   
   
6. Lip care. As summer approaches, check your chapstick to make sure it contains SPF. The lips receive a lot of sunlight, which can cause tissue damage. Certain ingredients in chapstick help with cell regeneration, moisturization, lip firming, and healing. Look at the ingredient list for Shea butter, aloe vera, beeswax, green tea extract, and vitamin E!
   
   
7. Dental Cosmetic Treatments
   We also offer several cosmetic treatments to help improve your smile. Click on the services listed below for additional information.

• Teeth Whitening
• Alignment
• Veneers
• Dental Implants

 
Follow us on social media for more tips to a healthier smile or schedule a consultation with our dentists today!

With the changes in our daily lives because of COVID-19, it is easy to get out of your daily routines and let some important things go. During this time it is really important to focus on your mental and physical health, including good dental hygiene. Here are a few helpful dental routines to maintain during #StayHome.
 
1. Brush twice a day - morning and night
Plaque can be really damaging to your teeth and cause long term dental problems. By brushing twice a day, you can remove those plaque-causing bacteria and prevent tartar buildup. Tartar buildup is plaque that has hardened on the teeth and needs to be professionally removed by your hygienist. We will be able to take care of this once we can see you in our office for your routine dental hygiene visit. Brushing also helps prevent gum disease, which is essentially an infection of your gums.

If you are concerned with tartar buildup or are experiencing sore gums, painful chewing, bad breath that won't go away or sensitive teeth please, contact us to see if you need to be seen for a dental emergency.
 
2. Floss like a boss
We know flossing is not on your Top 10 favorite things to do every day - which is why so many people choose to skip this oral health necessity. But we know that flossing is incredibly important to ensure you are cleaning off buildup between your teeth where a brush just cannot reach. Flossing daily helps prevent gum disease and even fight off bad breath by removing trapped foot particles. 

The best part - it only takes a minute to do.
 
3. Eat (and drink) a healthy diet
Those sugary and fattening foods put our oral and overall health at risk as does drinking coffee, sodas and those fruity cocktails. It is highly recommended to eat fruits, vegetable, lean meats, and nuts not only for your body, but for your mouth as well.  We all love a drink from time to time but excessive consumption of alcohol or sugary drinks can really damage your teeth. It is best to limit these types of beverages. For healthier drink options and ones that won't discolor your teeth, drink water, tea, and milk.