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Halloween at Signature Smiles!
NOVEMBER 2020
You could say Halloween is a big deal around here. On Oct. 29, the staff at both our Streetsboro and Elyria locations dressed up for a day of fun! At the Streetsboro location, the staff dressed up as animals — and the doctors as zookeepers! At the Elyria location, the staff decided on a Day of the Dead theme. Here are a few photos from the big day!
Patients might remember our Halloween competition from 2019. The Streetsboro staff dressed up as the Men in Black (and aliens) and the Elyria staff were dressed as the Minions from “Despicable Me.” We took the competition to Facebook and let our patients and Facebook followers decide which office dressed the best!
This year, we did things a little differently. Because things were more challenging this year, and our doctors and hygienists were wearing additional personal protective equipment as part of our COVID-19 protocol, we had to figure out how to design costumes while making sure everyone stayed safe, healthy, and hygienic. It was a challenge, but we made it work!
We also decided not to hold a Facebook competition this year. We wanted to keep it simple and friendly because this year was all about coming together — and, as you can see in these photos, it’s safe to say we accomplished just that! It was a great day!
–Dr. Seim
SignatureSmilesOH.com — 1
Why Is Spinach So Good for You?
POTENT PROTECTION AGAINST DISEASE The abundant antioxidants in spinach mitigate a staggering number of health problems. For starters, spinach has kaempferol, an antioxidant that can protect the body against cancer. Additionally, the antioxidant quercetin, also found in spinach, has been shown to have positive effects on brain health, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Other components of spinach can also improve blood pressure and protect eye health. VERSATILE IN MEAL PREPARATION Aside from the more scientific reasons that make spinach a superfood, you can prepare and consume spinach in so many creative ways. You can eat it raw as a part of a salad, throw a few leaves in a smoothie, cook it in stir fry, or bake it into some brownies. If you have a bag of spinach in your fridge, there’s no shortage of ways you can get some of those amazing health benefits. Just don’t expect to suddenly vanquish all your foes like Popeye did.
If the reason you know spinach is good for you is because either your mother told you, or you saw Popeye the Sailor down a can before a fight and gain superhuman strength, you might not understand exactly why it’s so good for you. Rest assured, your mom wasn’t lying (although Popeye might have been stretching the truth). Spinach is actually one of the most nutritious and versatile foods you can add to your diet. Here’s why. INCREDIBLE NUTRIENT-PER- CALORIE COUNT Three cups of spinach contain about 20 calories. However, those 3 cups also contain almost no fat, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of fiber. On top of that, you get more than 300% of your daily dose of vitamin K, which supports bone growth; 160% of your daily dose of vitamin A; and around 25%–40% of your daily dose of vitamin C, both of which help the immune system function properly.
E-Cigarettes, Oral Health, & You!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMON HABIT
E-cigarettes are very common these days. They are small electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol that is breathed in by the user. E-cigarettes can look like regular cigarettes, cigars, pipes, USB flash drives, or pens. The heated liquid, often called e-juice or vape juice, can contain nicotine, flavorings, and numerous other chemicals, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. One popular brand of e-cigarette is Juul. This brand contains a higher level of nicotine than many other vape brands and traditional cigarettes. In fact, a single Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. To make matters worse, carcinogenic compounds have been found in the vapor. This includes formaldehyde. Trace amounts of lead have also been found in the liquid.
Another compound found in e-juice is diacetyl. Diacetyl is a food additive and is most commonly found in microwave popcorn. It’s what helps create that buttery flavor. But when used in e-cigarettes, it can lead to “popcorn lung,” also known as obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). If diacetyl gets in the lungs, it can lead to serious inflammation and destroy lung tissue, making it harder to breathe. Regardless, e-cigarettes remain popular among adults. Many people use them as a tool to help them quit smoking. There is also a perception that e-cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes. People also like them because they don’t produce secondhand smoke (though they do produce secondhand vapor) and they can be used to get around indoor smoking restrictions, though that is quickly changing.
When it comes to oral health, e-cigarettes can cause all kinds of problems. The vapor can alter or damage the epithelial tissue in the mouth, which can then lead to oral ulcers or oral cancer. Research also suggests the vapors can inflame the gums, putting users at a greater risk to develop periodontal disease. This is all on top of the numerous side effects, including sore throat, dry mouth, headache, nausea, hoarseness, and coughing. We often tell patients about 1-800-QUIT- NOW. This number connects to a quit- smoking specialist. They offer free coaching and counseling regardless or insurance status or income. They have referrals, provide information on medications, and even offer patches and gum. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers a free app called quitSTART. It includes tailored tips and inspiration to help you quit.
–Corliss Robinson
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
WHY YOUR TOOTHPASTE MAY BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD You likely know there are good bacteria, which play a healthy, symbiotic role within our bodies, and bad bacteria, which cause infection and inflammation. However, antibacterial health care products, including toothpaste and mouthwash, don’t discriminate. They kill all bacteria in your mouth, even the ones serving a positive purpose. This begs the question: Are antibacterial products doing more harm than good? mouths using lozenges “contaminated” with K12. During check- ins one and two weeks later, volunteers reported “much sweeter breath.” It’s likely the helpful K12 bacteria beat out harmful bacteria in the oral environment. What’s the Deal With Antibacterial Dental Products?
Another factor to consider is that of digestion, which starts in the mouth. Enzymes in saliva get most of the credit (along with the teeth and their crushing power), but our mouths are home to probiotics as well. These probiotics may play an important part in triggering the enzymes to effectively begin the digestion process. If you kill these bacteria, the process isn’t as effective, which may have consequences in the gut, such as not being able to digest nutrients as well as you should. So, how can you be better at helping the good bacteria while taming the bad? A big part of it may come down to the products you use. It’s important to skip products labeled explicitly as “antibacterial.” Using products containing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is also discouraged. Instead, focus on products that promote good bacteria and probiotic health. Finally, don’t forget that eating a healthy diet low in sugars and simple carbs can help too!
Many oral care products on the market today advertise their antibacterial properties, and this practice didn’t pop up randomly. As a society, the general public has come to fear microscopic organisms that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and general infections. While you should be practicing good hygiene habits that eliminate harmful bacteria, you should also be doing more to promote beneficial bacteria.
Some forms of bacteria, such as Streptococcus salivarius K12, may combat bad breath. Reported by Scientific American, researchers in Australia and New Zealand put this to the test. They boosted the presence of this bacteria in volunteers’
Luxurious
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Making chocolate mousse with avocados may sound strange, but we promise it’s a match made in heaven! This sinfully delicious recipe is a great holiday treat.
INGREDIENTS • 4 oz vegan dark chocolate, chopped • 2 large avocados, pitted and skinned • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup almond milk • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1–3 tsp maple syrup, to taste • Fresh berries, for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate. Heat in 15-second intervals, then stir and repeat until melted. Set aside to cool. 2. In a food processor or blender, combine the cooled chocolate and other ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding additional sweetener as desired. 3. Scoop into glasses and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Top with berries and serve!
We guarantee an anxiety‑free experience—always!
Inspired by WellPlated.com
SignatureSmilesOH.com — 3
9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779
Also Serving Elyria! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
SignatureSmilesOH.com
The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry
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Free 24-hour recorded message reveals the “9 Questions You Need Answered Before Committing to Dental implants.” Call Now: 833-332-7373 Ext. 2.
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Signature Smiles Does Halloween With Style!
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What Makes Spinach a Superfood?
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E-Cigarettes and Your Oral Health — What You Need to Know! Are Antibacterial Oral Care Products Doing Serious Damage?
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Luxurious Vegan Chocolate Mousse
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Top 5 Healthy Life Hacks to Have an Awesome Morning
Getting your day started with coffee isn’t always enough. Sometimes, you need to give yourself an extra boost, especially when you have little energy or trouble focusing. For an awesome start to your day, here are five tips to get you going right off the bat. WAKE UP 5 MINUTES EARLY. What’s the power of five minutes? It can be more than you think. Spend this time doing simple breathing exercises or a quick meditation so you can get focused for the rest of the day. If that’s not your style, you can prepare a quick to-do list for your day ahead. Either way, it’s always nice to have a little extra time for yourself without losing too much sleep. START WITH GREEN TEA, THEN COFFEE. A cup of coffee at 7 a.m. can leave you burned out by 10 a.m. Try swapping it with green tea for a more gentle wake-up call. After that, you can brew your favorite coffee to keep you going strong. This practice also might help you consume less caffeine overall! TAKE A QUICK MORNING WALK — AND HAVE YOUR MEETINGS ON THE GO. Morning meetings can make us want to fall asleep again. Don’t spend all of them sitting down if you don’t have to! Not only will morning walks help you wake up, but they can also add some extra physical activity to your day.
WRITE IN YOUR JOURNAL. Who says you have to journal at the end of the day when you’re tired and ready to sleep? You can journal in the morning about what happened yesterday and the things you’re looking forward to that day. Journaling can remind you of your daily goals and motivate you to stick to your commitments. PACK YOUR LUNCH (OR SNACKS!). Staying on track with your goals starts with having the energy to do them. Plan a healthy balance of fats, vegetables, carbohydrates, and proteins. This can be as simple as assembling dips, carrots, wraps, and salads each morning.
It’s time to try these tactics to jump-start your day!
4 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
Don’t leaf your benefits behind
Y our dental benefits expire at the end of the year! Now is the time to schedule an appointment because once your benefits are gone, they’re gone for good. Remember all the money you paid to your insurance premiums this year? Failing to use your dental benefits means all that money goes to waste. You paid for it, now use it! Call us at 330-423-6779 to schedule your appointment today! This time of year, appointments fill up fast. Reserve your spot before it’s too late. The longer you wait, the more you’ll risk having to spend time away from the things you love most this holiday season. You can even call us after hours. Leave a message, and we’ll take care of you. Take advantage of your dental benefits today. If you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em!
By scheduling today, you will be ready for every holiday feast and virtual company party that comes your way. If that’s not enough incentive, here are a few of our top reasons to smile: • It’s finally sweater weather! • At least there are no zombies ... yet • All your favorite holiday flavors at your local coffee shop • Fluffy, wiggly, silly little puppies — need I say more? • Your dental benefits haven’t expired yet — but they will soon, and our appointments are filling up fast. Call 330-423-6779 today! Don’t forget your benefits expire on Dec. 31. It will be here before you know it!
9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779
570 Chestnut Commons Dr. Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031
SignatureSmilesOH.com
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