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PREMIER DENTAL NEWSLETTER
EDITION 41
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WE TRAVELED LOCAL THIS YEAR! Captivating Views and Much-Needed Relaxation
Airline travel was messy this summer as travelers unleashed their pent-up demand on an industry that could not keep pace. We heard about overcrowding on flights and in airports. We also read about poor service resulting in lost baggage, long lines, and delayed or canceled flights. So, we skipped air travel altogether and opted for a modest, local vacation. We took a trip to Virginia, saw the Luray Caverns and Shenandoah National Park, and spent time at Virginia Beach! Luray Caverns We drove to the town of Culpepper and stayed at a hotel there. It was a lovely town in rural Virginia with some surprisingly good restaurants. One restaurant we enjoyed was Pinto Thai. They had delicious food, outdoor dining, and good service.
The caverns were stunning. It was nothing like we’d ever seen. It was a 1.25-mile-long walk through the caverns. It was cool underground, and some of the formations we saw were truly amazing. The stone formations were reddish-brown, white, and grayish-black in color. We took a lot of pictures, but it was dark in the cavern, and the images did not come out too well. One memorable sight in the caverns was the Fried Egg stalagmites. Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park has a scenic roadway, Skyline Drive, which follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles. This park was designed to allow people to view things from the mountaintop. That’s exactly what we did! We got on Skyline Drive at the Thornton Gap Entrance Station of the park and went North from there. The speed limit for driving through the park was 35 mph. We took a leisurely drive for about 30 miles on Skyline Drive. We noticed several picnic grounds, campgrounds, and food service stations along the way. We stopped at many of the scenic overlooks, which were marked clearly on the map they gave us. As advertised, some of the scenery from the top was breathtaking. We had sunny weather — which was a bonus — and we took a lot of pictures! We spent about three hours at the park before we departed. It’s a massive 200,000-acre park, and it would take two or three days to cover it.
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Dr. Gopal at Virginia Beach
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Virginia Beach The drive from Shenandoah National Park to Virginia Beach took about three and a half hours. We arrived at Virginia Beach on July 5, right after most of the July 4 crowd had cleared out. We had a hotel right on the boardwalk with a view of the ocean. The boardwalk at Virginia Beach was cemented and clean. It was a more extended boardwalk than we’ve seen at New Jersey beaches, with hotels flanking one side of the boardwalk. The sand and beach were clean, and we enjoyed morning walks along the water’s edge. The ocean and the sound of the tides were calming. While Virginia Beach wasn’t bad, we prefer Rehoboth Beach (Delaware), which has more stores and better restaurants close to the boardwalk. Overall, it was a good, relaxing vacation. It was our first long vacation after a two- year hiatus forced by the pandemic. We’re hoping 2023 will be a better year for air travel.
OFFICE STAFF:
PATIENT COORDINATORS
MICHELE ROBERTA
DENTAL ASSISTANT
CATHLEEN
HYGIENISTS
CHARLENE JULIA
Peter at Virginia Beach
PRACTICE MANAGER
Luray Caverns was just a short 25-minute drive from Culpepper. It is the largest cavern system in eastern America and the most visited in the United States. The cavern was designated a U.S. landmark in 1974. It is a natural wonder that was discovered in 1878. Scientists estimate the cavern to be about 450 million years old!
PETER
–Peter Gopal
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Chicago’s ‘Dentist to the Queen’ The Curious Case of the Gold Cufflinks
Way back in 1959, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Chicago for 14 hours — and during that small window, the queen went to the dentist. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth had lost a filling in one of her back teeth and needed a dentist to replace it between royal sightseeing stops at places like the Museum of Science and Industry. She chose Dr. Norman Olson, a dentist who practiced out of the nearby Drake hotel. Why Dr. Olson? Talking about the incident years later, Dr. Olson’s daughter told the Chicago Tribune that he was likely selected thanks to his reputation and location. “It was a very secure hotel,” she said. “I’m sure it was easy for the Secret Service and everybody else to guard the place, and in my opinion, my dad was the best dentist in Chicago.” 15 Minutes for a Lifetime of Fame It’s funny to think of a queen in the dental chair, but the way Queen Elizabeth paid for her procedure is even more curious. Reportedly, Dr. Olson declined to charge her for the 15-minute filling fix — so she gifted him a pair of gold-enameled cufflinks for his trouble. The cufflinks were decorated with crowns and the letters “ER” for “Elizabeth Regina.”
From then on, Dr. Olson was nationally known as “The Queen’s Dentist.” According to the Tribune, he never accepted requests for TV interviews about his experience with the queen. But cards addressed to “The Queen’s Dentist” continued to appear in his mailbox long after her visit. The Making of a Royal Smile In truth, Queen Elizabeth likely had a team of dentists at her beck and call over the years. Fun fact: Even though she passed away at age 96, the queen did not wear dentures. She had all of her own teeth!
Queen Elizabeth’s exact dental upkeep appears to be a national secret, but Matthew Rose, an implant surgeon and restorative dentist with The Implant Center, told Express the queen likely invested in cosmetic dentistry like crowns and veneers to keep her smile white. According to The Mirror, the queen herself credited her smile to the fact that she once wore braces.
When it comes to the need for dental work, it turns out the royals are just like the rest of us!
THE BEST TEETHING TOYS FOR YOUR BABY
3 Dentist-Approved Options
(and spare your hearing) by purchasing a teething toy. Biting down on a teething toy can help relieve the pain of growing teeth as long as the toy is made from safe materials and won’t cause a choking hazard. Here are a few dentist-approved options to consider that range from $4–$30 on Amazon. The Nuby Teething Mitten — Teething babies love to chew on their fingers, and this teething mitten will help them fulfill that urge without sucking on germs. The mitten has a textured silicone surface perfect for relieving teething pain. It’s also machine-washable and comes with a travel bag to keep it clean. The ‘Sophie la Girafe’ Teething Toy — This fun, giraffe-shaped teething toy is perfect for babies of all ages. It includes a squeaker to hold the baby’s attention and parts of various thicknesses for easy chewing. Most importantly, it’s made from safe, natural rubber and food-grade paint. Learn more at SophieTheGiraffe-USA.com. The Green Sprouts Cooling Teether — This classic ring-shaped teether for babies 6 months or older includes beads of multiple textures for the best sensory experience. The teether is also refrigerator- and freezer-safe, so you can cool it down before giving it to your baby to provide even more pain relief.
Teething puppies are pretty adorable — until they sink their little needle teeth into your arm. It’s the same situation with teething babies. They’re sweet, cute, and cuddly at first. Then, the pain strikes, and they start screaming. As a parent, this can be as tough on your emotions as it is on your eardrums. First, you need to work through the panicky feeling that something is wrong with your baby. Then, your heart will probably sink when you spot the signs that appear in most little ones around six months — inflamed gums, flushed cheeks, a mild fever, poor sleep, increased drooling, facial rashes, and the compulsion to chew on your/their fingers.
None of this is fun, but fortunately, once you realize your baby is teething, the worst is over. You can turn back the tide of your little one’s crankiness
With the help of these toys, you and your little one will be resting peacefully before you know it.
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Gone are the days of dealing with missing teeth — dentures and implants combat the problem. They help you chew, improve your speech, and support your facial muscles. When teeth are missing and our gums are exposed, we are at risk for infections, gum disease, and even bone loss, but dentures and implants can help. What are the pros and cons of each, and which option is best for you? Among the oldest treatments for missing teeth are dentures, removable prosthetic teeth fitted to your mouth. Some dentures only replace a few missing teeth, while others may replace an entire upper or lower row. Sometimes, dentures will replace all of your teeth. Pros of Dentures: • Beyond tooth extraction, no surgery is needed. • Dentures are more cost-effective than implants. • Metal plate dentures can easily adjust to changes in the structure of your mouth. • Flexible dentures do not need an adhesive paste and are both odor- and stain-resistant. Cons of Dentures: • They may need to be replaced down the road and can be broken. • They may cause mouth irritation. • Due to the loss of your jawbone, dentures may alter facial shape and structure. • Dentures can become loose. As for dental implants, they are permanently fixed into your mouth with a metal prosthetic root implanted into your jawbone. The very top of the tooth is usually fitted with a crown, which resembles a tooth. Pros of Dental Implants: • Implants are made to last a lifetime and most closely resemble natural teeth. • Dental implants replace the root of the booth, preventing jaw bone loss. • They are stable in your mouth and can be brushed and flossed, just like natural teeth. Cons of Dental Implants: • Implants can loosen over time, known as implant failure. • Surgery is required when implants are placed in your mouth. • Dental implants are more costly than dentures. DENTURES VS. IMPLANTS HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary • 15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid • 1/2 cup water • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, sliced • 1 tbsp flour
• 2 large carrots, cut into rounds • 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets
Directions
1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown. Take a Break
Before deciding whether dentures or dental implants are right for you, consult with your experienced dental care provider — they are the pros and can guide you in the right direction, depending on your wants and needs!
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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Inside
DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
This Issue
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Our Summer Trip to Virginia
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The Story of ‘The Queen’s Dentist’ 3 Teething Toys to Hush Your Baby Comparing Dentures and Implants Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
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This ‘Anti-Diet’ Could Save Christmas
What It Is and How You Can Benefit INTUITIVE EATING: THE ANTI-DIET FOR THE HOLIDAYS
If you’ve ever seen any “What I Eat in a Day” videos on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably come across the hashtag #intuitiveeating. It pops up under posts ranging from snapshots of green smoothies to reels of influencers sprinkling cheese over giant bowls of pasta. If you’re not familiar with the term, you probably have a few big questions. What is intuitive eating, and why is it considered an ‘anti-diet’? At its core, intuitive eating is simply giving your body the food it needs in a mindful way. As psychologist Dr. Susan Albers explained in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic, “Intuitive eating is the polar opposite of dieting. Instead of following rules and restricting what you eat, you trust your internal hunger, fullness, and satiety cues to help you decide what and how much to eat. No food is off the table.” This means you won’t catch an intuitive eater counting calories, talking about cheat days, or staring longingly at a doughnut they want but just can’t have. Instead, you might see them slowly savoring their food and pausing between bites to decide whether or not they’re full. What are the benefits of eating this way? Intuitive eating isn’t about weight loss, although some people who practice it do shed pounds. Instead, many articles point to other benefits like increased respect for your body, less stress and guilt around food, and even a better
understanding of your emotions. Ultimately, practitioners of this anti-diet claim to find more joy in eating than before.
How can I learn more? Intuitive eating is based on 10 principles, including “honor your hunger” and “feel your fullness.” You can read about them at Health.ClevelandClinic.org/ what-is-intuitive-eating or pick up a copy of the 1995 book that started it all: “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, two health professionals who specialize in nutrition and eating disorders. Intuitive eating is an “anti-diet” for every age and body type. It may be just the strategy you need to heal your relationships with food and get more joy out of the holiday season.
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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