A+ Family Dentistry - May 2020
San Diego Location: 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1
Poway Location: 12915 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-5100
Sorrento Valley Location: 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., Suite #218
San Diego, CA 92105 Phone: 619-265-2467
San Diego, CA 92121 Phone: 858-421-4933
The Happy Tooth Parenting in a Pandemic
‘HOW LONG WILL LEGOLAND BE CLOSED?’
Almost every Sunday, my husband and I take our son to LEGOLAND. Jake loves LEGOs, so of course, he loves going to LEGOLAND. This past March, when I told Jake we weren’t going to be able to go to LEGOLAND because it was closed, he didn’t believe me. In fact, I had to drive him out and show him that the park was closed to prove that I wasn’t making things up! As Dr. Justene mentioned last month when she wrote about the car that crashed into our office this past February, we work on these articles far in advance. I’m writing this at the end of March, amazed that a car crashing into our office isn’t the strangest, biggest news of the year! When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, things can change very quickly. I don’t know where the world will be when you read this in May, so I’d like to share stories about how my family is coping with the situation right now. My son is just 5 years old. Like a lot of kids his age, Jake really doesn’t understand why he isn’t able to go to school for a while or go play with his friends outside. Meanwhile, like a lot of other parents, my husband and I have quickly had to learn how to be home-school teachers. At the moment, we’re not sure if the school will open at all this year, so we’re working to make sure Jake’s education doesn’t fall behind. One of the biggest challenges in this situation has been explaining what’s going on to my son. Early on, Jake was asking why everything was closed, why we couldn’t go inside to eat at restaurants anymore, and why we couldn’t do our normal routines. I had to explain to him that certain people are sick outside, so we all need to stay home and wash our hands a lot. Our family has been fortunate not to get sick, but I explained to Jake that other people haven’t been as lucky. Eventually, he understood that it’s important for us to stay home to keep ourselves and other people from getting sick. Though he did tell me that he wants everyone to get better soon so he can go out and play with his friends. While we want Jake to understand this situation is serious, we don’t want him to be scared. My husband and I try not to bring our own fears and anxieties home. Even when parents don’t talk about their worries, kids can pick up on that energy. Instead, we focus on the positives. We can’t go out and about right now, but we can still do lots of fun things together as a family. We’ve been playing in the backyard, FaceTiming family members, and playing board
“One of the biggest challenges in this situation has been explaining what’s going on to my son.”
games together. Plus, even though we haven’t been able to go to LEGOLAND, Jake is still able to play with LEGOs. Recently I brought Jake to the office with me and he finished five LEGO sets by himself. These boxes are marked for ages 8 and older, so I was really impressed with how quickly he put them together. Of course, that meant I needed to find more ways to keep him entertained! There’s a quote I saw online that I think a lot of parents can relate to right now: “If the scientists don’t find a cure soon, the moms will find it first!”
I don’t know when someone will find a cure or where things will be by the time you read this. I hope things are approaching normal again. I hope your family is safe and healthy, and I hope to see everyone in person again very soon!
–Dr. Janice Doan
May 2020 Edition
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P1
All About Epiphytes
Unlike many plants, epiphytes don’t take in all the water they need from their roots. They also absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. Their roots don’t grow in the dirt, either. Instead, they help these plants cling to the trees or other plants they naturally grow on. If you’ve ever seen a tree with another plant growing off of it at a botanical garden in a warmer, humid environment like Florida, that tag-along plant is an epiphyte. Because they are unique, your epiphyte houseplant needs specific care to thrive. Submerge the leaves of smaller air plants in a shallow bowl of water once a week for an hour (times may vary depending on your area’s humidity). Then, remove the plant from the water and let it dry upside down to remove excess moisture. If you choose to house your orchid or staghorn fern in a pot, use a soil specifically made for them and add some sphagnum moss to keep the roots aerated. Mist your plant every couple days and provide the leaves with a more thorough watering once a week to achieve the level of moisture they would receive in the rainforest while allowing the roots to breathe. You can also mount your epiphyte on a wood panel, as some orchid collectors do. True enthusiasts are very careful to match the wood with the type of tree the plant would grow on in the natural world, but driftwood, cork, and large pieces of bark work well too.
How to Care for Your Orchids, Air Plants, and Ferns
Perched high in the trees in the rainforest, epiphytes reach for the drops of water that splash down from above. The plants take what they need and let the rest drip down to the forest floor. While these organisms originated in the wild, epiphytes like orchids, air plants, and staghorn ferns have become popular houseplants because of the unique, delicate greenery they bring to your space. Epiphytes are part of the Bromeliaceae family, a group that also includes terrestrial species like pineapples. The leaves of the plants in this family are arranged in a rosette, or circular shape, and they have tiny scales that help the plant absorb moisture and protect itself from harsh sunlight. TESTIMONIAL See What Others Are Saying “I really enjoy coming to my dentist appointments, which is probably not normal. But the staff is super helpful, friendly, and great. They really want to help you make sure you’re in good health and, of course, that your teeth are as well. They have educated me so much on the importance of taking care of my teeth and my oral health. My hygienist, Claudia, is such a wonderful person to work with. Major shout out to her! She is really passionate and professional about her patients’ oral health. She’s also easy to talk to and will answer any questions you have on taking better care of your teeth. When I shouldn’t even be laughing, while she’s working in my mouth, she finds a way to make me laugh or at least smile. Thank you, A+ Family Dentistry for all your help. I highly recommend you come in to get your oral health in shape!” – Matt Olson
Caring for your epiphyte properly will help your plant thrive and allow you to enjoy the tropical beauty of these unique organisms.
We want to thank all of our patients who put so much faith in us by recommending our services to their friends and family members. Last month, our referrals came from these amazing patients: A+ Referrals
Sunni E. Kimberly G. Alexis H. Lyn H. Alisa P. Ela T.
And the winner of the April referral prize of $50 A+ Bucks is Sunni E. Thank you to all of our patients who continue to support us. Check back next month when we will announce the winner of our next referral prize.
P2 | A+ Family Dentistry | Aplusfamilydentistry.com
We’re Still Here! How A+ Family Dentistry is Addressing COVID-19
As we go through the COVID-19 pandemic, no one can say for sure what tomorrow will bring. There have been many unexpected changes and so much uncertainty. We can only take each day as it comes. In response to the ever-evolving news surrounding COVID-19, we want you to know that the team at A+ Family Dentistry is still here for you. The health and safety of our patients and our staff is our highest priority. To do our part to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures and concentrate their efforts on emergency dental care. While we may have to reschedule your next cleaning,
please remember that our offices are still open for dental emergencies, including:
assured that we follow strict sterilization and disinfection protocols as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the ADA. During these uncertain times, we encourage patients to continue practicing good dental hygiene. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It is important to do what you can to prevent any dental infections that may compromise your immune system. If you have any questions regarding a dental emergency, your overall oral health, or the precautions we are taking at the office, then don’t hesitate to give us a call. Remember that we are here to help our San Diego community.
• • • • • •
Toothaches Cracked teeth Broken teeth
Objects caught between teeth
Knocked-out tooth Jaw possibly broken
If you are experiencing any of these issues, then don’t hesitate to call us. There’s enough stress surrounding this pandemic. The last thing we want is for our patients to struggle with a dental emergency alone. We aim to provide same-day emergency treatment when possible. If you do need to come into the office, rest 3 Exercises You Can Do at Home
Kid’s Crossword Puzzle
The gyms might still be closed, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on working out. Here are some great at-home workout routines to try. Yoga Yoga is a full-body workout you can do right in your living room. Doing yoga can increase flexibility, strengthen muscles, and boost heart health. Find hundreds of free yoga workouts online at YouTube.com/user/yogawithadriene. Cardio Don’t have any workout equipment at home? That’s okay! You can still work up a sweat with this great 30-minute cardio workout: Self.com/gallery/hiit-cardio-workout. Binge-Watch Workout Spending a lot of time catching up on Netflix? Now you can multitask and work out while also finally watching “Tiger King.” When the credits roll, instead of hitting “next episode,” check out ConsumerReports.org/exercise-fitness/binge-watch-workout-plan for tips on how to get in a good workout.
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ACROSS
1. You plant it 2. A type of flower
1. A season in May 2. Where you find the sea
3. Water on the ground 4. You need sun screen for this
Answers are on Page 4.
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
CROSSWORD KEY
Office Hours: Mondays: Closed
ACROSS
1. Springtime 2. Beach
Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Inside This Issue Aplusfamilydentistry.com 619-265-2467 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1 San Diego, CA 92105
1. Garden 2. Daisy 3. Puddles 4. Sunshine
LEGOLAND, Social Distancing, and COVID-19
Page 1
How to Help Your Epiphytes Thrive
Page 2
See What Others Are Saying
Page 2
Don’t Suffer a Dental Emergency Alone
Page 3
At-Home Workouts Made Easy
Page 3
Social Distancing and Mental Health Page 4
Protect Your Health
you have around. You can even enjoy a refreshing walk around the neighborhood — just remember to stay 6 feet away from anyone else who happens to be outside. Eat healthy. During times of stress, it’s tempting to overindulge in comfort foods. Delivery options make it very easy to get those greasy eats brought right to your door. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying pizza or ice cream once in a while, but avoid using this stressful situation to justify eating poorly every day. Sleep well. Sleep plays a huge role in our overall health. Even if your schedule has changed dramatically, do what you can to get enough sleep each night. If stress has you tossing and turning all night, do some research into how a nighttime routine can help you enjoy more restful sleep. Don’t neglect your mental health. Stay connected. The demanding change to our routine can wear on us mentally. Don’t let social distancing lead to total social isolation. Keep in touch with friends and family members through phone calls, texts, and video calls. Apps like Zoom or Discord
Tips to Stay Sane While Social Distancing
During a pandemic, the best thing we can do to help keep ourselves and everyone else healthy is practice social distancing. This means staying home at much as possible, only going out for essentials, and remaining 6 feet away from people outside of our household. But while social distancing can help to prevent us from contracting or transmitting COVID-19, this shift can negatively impact your health in other ways. Here are strategies to help you stay healthy while social distancing. Take care of your physical health. Exercise. The gyms may be closed, but you should still get in your daily workout. There are plenty of apps and YouTube videos that offer free at- home workouts you can do in your living room with whatever equipment
open the door to virtual gatherings that help us stay connected while social distancing. Times are tough, but we’re going to get through them together. Do what you can to take care of yourself and others.
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