December 2014: Tips, eNews and More! As another year comes to a close, it's time to reflect on all the amazing memories we've created this year. We've enjoyed serving you this past year, and we appreciate the opportunity to care for you and your family. It has been a pleasure helping you maintain your oral health. We hope that we have surpassed your expectations, and we look forward to caring for your smile for years to come! The most generous compliment that we can receive is a referral to your friends and family. We would be honoured to provide your loved ones with the same level of care and attention that you have come to expect of our practice. Is your smile all that it can be? Has it been a while since we last saw you? Were you waiting for your coverage to renew? We are booking appointments into 2015. We would love to help make this coming year a healthy, beautiful one for your smile. And don't forget, as your dental insurance may reset at the end of the year, if you need to book a final appointment to maximize those benefits, we'll do our best to fit you in before December 31st! Please be advised that our holiday hours will be: December 22nd 11AM to 6:30PM December 23rd 9:30AM to 6:30PM December 29th 11AM to 6:30PM December 30th 9:30AM to 6:30PM Regular office hours resume on January 5th, 2015 Wishing you all the best this holiday season, The Team at Dr. Anthony Bastone Dentistry Why Do I Need Dental X-Rays? Similar to an iceberg, only a portion of your tooth is visible upon the first inspection. Your tooth is composed of several layers, with a large portion hidden below your gum line and in your jaw bone. The surface 'enamel' that we can visibly examine is meant to protect the inner parts of a tooth. Below your enamel is the Dentin, then the Pulp where the nerve and blood vessels nourish your tooth. Also hidden are your Jaw bone, joints and ligaments that help support your teeth. Damage, infection or abnormalities below the surface are often invisible however cannot be ignored. To learn about what dental x-rays allow us to do click here. Surreal Sweet Potato Leek Soup It's winter and it's time to get rooted! Are you eating root vegetables? Do you know how good they are for you? If you aren't including yams, squash, beets, carrots, radish, and rutabaga – it's time to start. The root veggie we are most excited about is the white sweet potato, also known as the Japanese sweet potato. So here is a recipe that is quick and easy to whip together. Don't worry, this recipe also works great with regular sweet potatoes! Click here for the full recipe!