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March/April 2025
THE HEIGHTS SMILE Herald
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
I’m not an unhappy person by any means. But when I saw that a new group of dentists nationwide was forming to “chase happiness,” I was curious. As a founding member, our group included about a dozen dentists, and we met once a week online to talk about the stress of the profession and the tools we use to overcome it. Though I consider myself a positive person, those weekly chats were eye-opening and made me realize how many methods there are to pursue optimism. March is Optimism Month, a reminder of the power of hope and a positive attitude. Even for those with a good outlook on the world, there’s always room to grow our happiness bank. I was looking for new approaches to minimize the impacts of stressors on my happiness and was amazed to find how much simple acts like journaling help. Identifying how you’re feeling enables you to judo it into positive momentum instead of a force that holds you back. One of the key takeaways of my Chasing Happiness group was that as long as we have hope, we’re in a good place. Hope allows you to look forward to the next day and move through whatever you are dealing with. Without hope, the ability to envision a positive future doesn’t grow. Everyone faces mornings when it’s hard to get up. We can all relate to them, and often, when we talk to others about our plight, they have either gone through it before or can empathize. Having these conversations can be an essential reminder that we are not alone and that we, as humans, have an amazing ability to bounce back. If we can tell ourselves that times are tough but we’ve gotten through worse, we can find the strength to face the day ahead. Typically, the crises we encounter aren’t the end of the world, no matter how they feel. It’s about shifting gears, reminding ourselves we can deal with the situation and the day is not lost. A LIFELONG JOURNEY WORTH PURSUING Chasing Happiness
Having a great support team makes a huge difference in staying positive. The team I work with at the office make unexpected situations or hiccups much easier to resolve. Part of the reason I can face challenges with optimism is knowing that whatever we face, we will get through it together and be better off down the road. Optimism is a conscious effort and way of life. Some days, I’m not as positive as I could be, but it just takes shaking myself out of it and moving back into that positive mental attitude. The better our mindset, the better prepared we will be for whatever life throws at us. (Start with a month. Spend that time finding something or someone to help you become more optimistic and focus on the good things. Continue that month until it’s a lifelong endeavor.) We are here for a very short time and might as well be as happy as possible. You can do many little things throughout the day, like starting and ending your day with writing in your gratitude journal. You don’t even have to write it down; you can just find a quiet spot and reflect on the positives. It can be something as major as the love of a spouse or as simple as the barista sharing their smile with you. Looking back on my online group (which is still meeting, growing, and sharing), the name “Chasing Happiness” truly fits. Happiness isn’t a destination we reach once and for all; it’s a lifelong journey. We’re always chasing it together. The pursuit itself should be joyful, filled with opportunities to grow and appreciate what we have. There’s always room to be happier, but that doesn’t mean we’re unhappy now. Share your exceptional smile with the world — it just may help someone who needs it. Find and embrace your team, your why, and, most importantly, keep chasing happiness. -Dr. Jason Schermer
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HOW TIME OUTDOORS CAN INSPIRE CHANGE See the Shifts
As Earth Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the changes in nature I’ve seen over the years — especially those I may have missed if I hadn’t made an effort to spend a little extra time outdoors. When COVID-19 hit, my oldest daughter and I began finding different parks throughout the area to hike. It was a peaceful and quiet escape from the world’s chaos, but there were undeniable signs of environmental change. Some of our favorite places, like the Mentor Lagoons, have been impacted by erosion, with paths we used to walk washed away by the lake. This Earth Day, you don’t have to plant a tree or embark on a major environmental project to make an impact. It can be as simple as noticing what’s
changing in the landscape around you. Can you spot differences in your yard or the park down the street? Whatever you decide to do out in nature, whether it’s observing erosion or picking up trash, what matters most is making sure you get out there and enjoy it. TAKE A HIKE Hiking is a great way to spend time in nature and see what’s happening in the local environment. There’s an overlook at the lagoons where you can photograph the marsh and upload it to a website as part of time-lapse studies to see how the area changes over time. It gives you a complete picture of how much climate change and other environmental threats are affecting the place where you live.
GARDEN Gardening in your yard is a simple yet effective way to contribute to the ecosystem’s health and gain a deeper appreciation for the growing cycle. At the end of the year, we picked up a pollinator seed mix and planted it in an old flower bed at home. Now that the seeds are down beneath the topsoil, they will take about three years to fully mature. That timer would never start if we hadn’t taken it upon ourselves to grow something. As we celebrate Earth Day this year, I encourage you to explore nature and notice the shifts in your surroundings. Small, intentional actions can significantly impact the environment, and every little bit counts.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Dr. Schermer and the staff are absolutely phenomenal. They were able to get me into the office on an emergency basis as a new patient and they treated me like family! Highly recommend! Exceptional service. ” -Kimberly H. — “My hygienist was phenomenal. She was painless and gave me a great teeth cleaning. She also suggested things that I can do to keep my teeth cleaner. It’s always a pleasure going to this dentist office.” -Marci G.
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(440) 483-1003
SLEEP BETTER, SMILE BRIGHTER THE BENEFITS OF SLEEP APPLIANCES FOR YOUR ORAL HEALTH
Sleep is one of the most essential elements of a healthy lifestyle. It enhances our physical well- being and mood and even reduces the chances of serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease. The better sleep you get every night, the better you will feel, the more productive you’ll be, and the longer you will live. Your dental health and your sleep are also connected. Not getting enough rest can lead to inflammation of the gums or dry mouth, and dental problems like TMJ and teeth grinding can prevent you from getting the rest you need. Sleep Awareness Week is March 9–15, and we’re sharing how dentists can play a key role in improving your sleep quality. SLEEP APPLIANCES Sleep apnea causes the airways to not open wide enough to breathe correctly while sleeping. A sleep appliance is a device or oral mouthpiece that pulls your jaw and tongue forward while you slumber to open the airway up. These mouthpieces aren’t a one-fits-all solution, but if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you could be a good candidate. At our office, our
sleep appliances are lab-made through digital technology. There’s no gooey impression to deal with. We use a scanner and custom-build the mouthpiece to your specifications. While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
machines are the gold standard for treating sleep apnea, sleep appliances are a good alternative for people who find the machine challenging to use every night. BENEFITS OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH Getting the right amount of rest improves your physical health and does wonders for your teeth and gums. Proper sleep allows your body to regulate swelling better, reducing damage to your gums. Saliva is a key element in protecting your teeth from decay, and it’s common to suffer from dry mouth when you have trouble staying asleep. Lack of sleep can lead to stress, exacerbating nighttime teeth grinding or bruxism. Sleep helps improve your immune system, allowing your body to fight oral infections better. Your dentist can help identify potential sleep problems, like sleep apnea, through screenings. While we can’t completely treat or diagnose sleep disorders, we can refer you to a sleep specialist. If you want to learn more about our oral sleep applications, contact us today!
Inspired by EatingWell.com
LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKES OF THE MONTH
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Q: Why did the Oreo go to the dentist? A: Because it lost its filling
Ingredients • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic • 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt • 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini • 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach • 1 cup heavy cream
Q: What’s the worst vegetable to have on a boat? A: A leek
Q: What March flowers grow on faces? A: Two-lips
Directions 1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired. exceptionalsmiles.com
Q: Where can you always find gold on St. Patrick’s Day? A: In the dictionary.
If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@exceptionalsmiles.com. You may see it in our next issue!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
exceptionalsmiles.com
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
INSIDE 1 Simple Habits to Boost Your Outlook
2 Witnessing Change This Earth Day
What People Are Saying About Us
3 Sweet Dreams, Healthy Teeth
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
4 Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Foods While Eating Healthier
SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR FAVORITES MORE NUTRITIOUS INDULGE WITHOUT THE GUILT
When we were children, our parents served us many dishes that filled our bellies and hearts with warm, positive feelings. Many of us hold on to these nostalgic recipes, cooking them whenever we need a pick-me-up, but many have realized those classic comfort foods aren’t as healthy as they could be. If you’re trying to eat healthier, you may think you have to cut way back on comfort foods, but that’s not the case. You simply have to find ways to make them more nutritious. Here are three ideas to get you started.
SWAP OUT INGREDIENTS. One of the best ways to make your favorite comfort food healthier is to swap out less nutritious ingredients for healthier options. Do you love eating pasta but don’t want to overindulge on carbs? Then, swap out your standard spaghetti noodles for spaghetti squash. Mashed cauliflower can replace mashed potatoes, Greek yogurt can stand in for sour cream, and whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese can replace traditional crust and full-fat cheese on pizza. The options are endless! ADD MORE VEGETABLES AND WHOLE GRAINS TO THE RECIPE. Our favorite comfort foods can be full of simple carbs and fat (which is why they taste so good!), but adding healthier ingredients can balance the carb-fest. Whole grains are a way to get more fiber, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium into your diet, and adding vegetables also increases fiber and vitamins. For example, sauté onions, mushrooms, and zucchini and add those to your spaghetti sauce — or even to your favorite mac and cheese! Finding the right additions might take some creative thinking, but once you do, you’ll never look back! CUT BACK ON THE SALT. Salt is a staple ingredient in many comfort foods, but it can contribute to high blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Limit how much salt you include in your dish, and use low-sodium or salt-free ingredients when possible. If it feels like you’re taking the flavor out of your dish, use spices and herbs to replace the salt.
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