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BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | NOVEMBER 2020
COUNTING MY BLESSINGS AMIDST TRIALS A SINCERE THANK-YOU LETTER TO MY FAMILY, TEAM, AND YOU
Hello, friends! It’s been an incredible year for both my family and our dental team, albeit a difficult year in many respects, too. But when I think about the challenges of the pandemic, the birth of a new Brooks baby, and the closing and reopening of our office, I can only feel tremendously grateful for so many blessings during these times. By the time you read this newsletter, my wife and I will have welcomed our fifth child. We have two girls and two boys, so this baby is our little tiebreaker. We don’t know the gender yet, but we very much look forward to the joy of finding out when the baby is born. We found out we were expecting in January, and little did we know we’d experience this entire pregnancy during a pandemic. Having the ultrasound via FaceTime because no one was allowed to accompany my wife was a new experience, but it made me especially grateful for that technology. Becoming the family grocery shopper in an effort to protect my pregnant wife from a disease we knew very little about at the time made me extremely grateful for my wife’s grocery shopping over the last 13 years and for all those employees who keep the shelves stocked! Having to
spend our nine months of pregnancy excited but more anxious than usual because of ever- changing health and safety circumstances made me very grateful for doctors and scientists working around the clock to get us important information and doing their best to keep us safe and healthy. My kids are already home-schooled, so their education wasn’t interrupted in the same way many kids experienced, but field trips, birthdays, and family dynamics certainly were. While it was hard for them to understand at first, we’ve become very thankful for the extra family time, for our home as a refuge, and for new activities (and online shopping for some new simple toys or activities as a last resort — haha!). When we found out we had to close our dental practice, we didn’t know for how long or have many details about what reopening would require. It ended up being eight weeks, a challenge for any business to endure, but I’m so thankful for my willing staff who continued to communicate with patients and go with the flow when we needed to treat patients with emergencies. I also happened to be home while my wife was very sick during her first trimester, so she saw the timing as a huge blessing. I was very grateful for the extra time to work on our home before bringing home a new baby — you may recall that last year our family experienced a flood in our home that affected all three levels and turned into a major DIY renovation. It’s been a very long process, but those eight weeks provided much-needed time to complete some major projects that have made our daily lives so much better and the functionality of our home much improved!
Once, toward the beginning of the pandemic in Ohio, I took my four kids to walk some trails at a nearby nature preserve. There weren’t many people, we were outside and we were going to stay 6 feet away from passersby, so I told the kids we didn’t need to wear masks. My eight-year-old daughter suddenly had a panic attack. “I don’t want to get sick,” she cried, then repeating in sobs, “We can’t go! We can’t go!” It took a long time of comforting her and explaining why being outdoors is safer before she agreed to let us walk (a protective older sister!). But, when we suddenly saw hikers approaching us down the trail, she freaked out again and ran off. I was very grateful for other cooperative kids who stayed patiently by my side while I helped their older sister and for understanding strangers who helped console from afar.
“By the time you read this newsletter, my wife and I will have had our fifth child.”
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Watching your child grow and experience new things is one of the most wonderful parts about being a parent. Yet, many firsts, like a child’s first visit to the dentist, can be scary for them. That’s why it’s so important to talk to them about their first appointment and what it might be like. Reading to your kids is one of the best ways to help them understand the world around them, including dental health and going to the dentist. Here are three books that your child will learn from and love! 3 BEST BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO SINK THEIR TEETH INTO ‘BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH!’ This rhythmic book can help your child get into a groove while brushing their teeth. What’s great about this book is that the words can be sung to the tune of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” This helps your child remember proper techniques as they’re dancing along to their new song. The combination of the song and bright illustrations will assure that your child loves this book. “Brush, Brush, Brush!” can be found at Barnes & Noble for $6.95. ‘GOING TO THE DENTIST’ Part of the “Usborne First Experiences” series of children’s books, this book follows Jake and Jessie, two children who are going to their very first dentist’s appointment. Alongside colorful illustrations, this story details what a dentist’s appointment is like in an easy-to-understand way. It even shows kids what a cavity is when the dentist discovers a “hole” in one of Jake’s teeth. There are also educational takeaways as the story tells why it’s important to take care of your teeth, along with some ways to keep them healthy. Find “Going to the Dentist” in paperback on Amazon for $4.95.
These days, she’s taking things much better, but all my kids were concerned about the virus. While they still miss dance, swimming, and other activities we’ve had to bow out of for now, I’m grateful for this opportunity for them to learn, grow, and overcome challenges. I hope that while they’ll certainly remember the mask-wearing and the lack of play dates, and maybe even their initial fear, they’ll also remember the memories we created with time to slow down and be very intentional about our family time.
When Governor DeWine announced that dental offices would be allowed to reopen, our team wasn’t sure what to do. On a Wednesday morning in a press conference to the general public, the governor basically said, “Okay, dental offices can open on Friday!” Our amazing patients started calling for appointments right away, but we’d been given no other guidelines or precautions to follow. While dental organizations scrambled to help all of us dentists know how and what protocols to follow, as a team, we had to come together. We relied on the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, and Ohio State Dental Board; did our own research through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments; and communicated with each other about what felt comfortable and uncomfortable. We wanted to make sure we were all united in our plans to reopen and safely treat patients again. It took some time, but I’m so grateful for the patience of our clients, the hard work and willing spirits of our team, and all the organizations that provided helpful information and resources for us to know how to best handle an unprecedented situation in our office. I’m also thankful we were able to acquire all of the protective equipment necessary to reopen, something that was extremely difficult as shortages were seen across the country. And I’m so, so grateful that not a single staff member has contracted COVID-19, and no outbreaks have occurred that have negatively affected our office or caused us to close again.
‘THE BERENSTAIN BEARS VISIT THE DENTIST’ Join Sister and Brother Bear as they visit a dentist — Sister’s got a loose tooth and Brother’s found a cavity! This book captures the anxiety a child
might feel before a dental visit, as Brother teases Sister about going to the dentist. However, not only does Sister have a wonderful visit with Dr. Bearson, but she also gets a visit from the Tooth Fairy. You can find this book on Amazon in paperback for $4.49 or on Kindle for $4.99. P.S. We love shopping local. While we’ve included retailer and price info for each book, we also encourage you to check out Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Blue Manatee Literacy Project, or another favorite local bookstore to see if they have these popular titles in stock. Of course our local libraries are a fantastic resource too!
I’m incredibly grateful for my thoughtful kids, my resilient, courageous wife, and my hardworking, passionate work family.
And I want to extend a tremendous thank you to YOU, our patients and friends. You trusted us to take the right precautions and treat you safely. You came back, even when there were still many unknowns. You were patient and supportive and cooperative. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This Thanksgiving, may we all recognize and give thanks for the incredible blessings to be counted even amidst trials and uncertainty.
Happy Thanksgiving!
– Dr. Brooks
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Among your favorite Thanksgiving treats are a few foods that taste good and can be healthy for your teeth. If you’ve volunteered to bring a side dish to a family Thanksgiving meal or are planning on cooking the whole meal yourself, make sure to include these foods. THE MAIN COURSE: TURKEY There are a lot of nutrients in the foods we eat that help make our teeth stronger, including protein. Luckily, the main course of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is full of it! Protein — when combined with vitamin D and calcium — helps keep our teeth strong, which reduces tooth loss and allows us to chew and talk properly. So enjoy your turkey and know that in addition to being delicious, it’s also improving your smile. THE SIDE DISH: CRANBERRIES Cranberry sauce is a key side dish for Thanksgiving, and it’s also exactly what your smile needs. Cranberries are full of nutrients your body needs to be healthy, including potassium, beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C, just to name a few. However, that’s not all cranberries can do for your teeth. The tart berry’s juice actually has a tendency to reduce plaque in the mouth thanks to proanthocyanidins (a class of nutrients), which prevent bacteria from sticking together. By simply enjoying cranberries with your Thanksgiving meal, you’re fighting harmful bacteria that could damage your teeth. FOODS FOR HAPPY TEETH HEALTHY HOLIDAY CHOICES
THE DESSERT: PUMPKIN PIE Unlike other Thanksgiving favorites like apple pie or pecan pie, pumpkin pie tends to have less sugar and far more nutrients, including vitamin A and calcium. Vitamin A is especially important, as it’s an essential part of strengthening the enamel on our teeth. When eaten in moderation, pumpkin pie can be both a sweet treat and an oral health booster. These are only three of the foods that can help your teeth this Thanksgiving. Before you roll up your sleeves and get started on your feast, check out a few more good-for-teeth foods online and see how many you can incorporate. Cheese tray, anyone?
SIMPLE & SWEET BUTTERNUT SQUASH
DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 28 — THE SATURDAY BETWEEN BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY — IS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY (SBS)? Embrace the festivities by stopping by a local mom-and-pop store! Surprisingly, this holiday was initiated by American Express and cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration 5 years later. According to a 2018 SBS Consumer Insights Survey, shoppers bought from independent retailers and restaurants on the day at a record high of $17.8 billion. Let’s continue the tradition, especially in these times! DID YOU KNOW THAT U.S. NAVY SUBMARINES USE XBOX 360 CONTROLLERS TO OPERATE THEIR PERISCOPES? The controls for the equipment were so complicated that it’d take hours to learn the controls — until the Navy switched out the complex helicopter-style control stick for an Xbox controller. Now, it only takes minutes to understand how to use their periscopes. And if the controls break, it certainly won’t cost over $38,000 for a replacement. YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW!
This butternut squash, oven-roasted and caramelized to perfection, could almost pass for dessert. You’d never guess it’s a dish loaded with vitamins and antioxidants!
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS •
1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets. 3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender.
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1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!
Inspired by WellPlated.com
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513-438-8152 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255
Thanksgiving Foods That Make Your Teeth Happy INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 3 3 4 Simple & Sweet Butternut Squash Is Whitening Your Teeth Healthy and Safe? Your Child’s First Dental Appointment A Sincere Thank-You Letter to My Family, Staff, and You
WE MAKE WHITENING MORE COMFORTABLE AND EVEN SAFER Many people are attracted to bright white smiles, and we can understand why! White teeth have a youthful charm, and they show off the hard work you put into your oral hygiene. So, it’s not a mystery why there are thousands of whitening product options on the market. The question is this: Are they safe?
OVER-THE-COUNTER TREATMENTS HAVE SHORTCOMINGS. If you apply peroxide on your teeth at an improper strength or length of time, you can dehydrate your teeth and actually create or worsen teeth sensitivity. Receiving your whitening treatments at a dental office will provide you the safest and most effective whitening experience. We know just how much peroxide is right for your specific oral health and your desired outcome. Not all at-home treatments are bad, but many products that claim to whiten your teeth may only bring it up by one shade. For example, whitening toothpastes often don’t contain peroxide because the paste isn’t meant to stay on your teeth for very long. They will, however, contain chemicals or polishing agents that help scrub off stains, minimally lightening your teeth. If you’re interested in teeth whitening, let us know. We can give you the most dramatic, impressive results, and your whitening appointments will be safely adjusted for your mouth. We think of it a little like getting your hair colored — you can do it at home, but if you want beautiful results that match your vision, plus all the tips and products for maintaining your color, you get it done professionally. Your teeth deserve that treatment too. Call our office today if you’d like to set up your first whitening appointment and finish off the year with a beautiful, bright smile!
HOW DO WE WHITEN TEETH? It starts with peroxide-based bleaching agents. These are safe to use on teeth and can be found whether you use at-home care or in-office treatments. There are different types of peroxide agents used, but the most effective are hydrogen peroxide-based. Keep in mind that at-home systems contain anywhere from 3%–20% peroxide, while in-office systems contain between 15%–43% peroxide.
The longer you keep peroxide on your teeth, the whiter they will become. But be careful! The amount and strength of the peroxide used determines the length of time you should use it for and how often. Too much can actually hurt your gums and cause teeth sensitivity.
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