Pitner Orthodontics online newsletter for June 2017
THE STRAIGHT UP
June 2017
LET’S GO FLY A KITE Remembering the Art of Play
Lethbridge inAlberta, Canada. Researchers found that engaging in free play builds connections in the neurons at the front end of the brain. These neurons connect to the executive control center, which regulates emotions, planning, and problem-solving. As a Lethbridge researcher pointed out, “Play is what prepares a young brain for life, love, and even schoolwork.” The National Institute for Play (NIFP) defines play as “something done for its own sake. It’s voluntary, it’s pleasurable, it offers a sense of engagement, and it takes you out of time. The act itself is more important than the outcome.” What this means is, while organized sports are great, soccer and dance practice don’t create new connections in the prefrontal cortex the same way building a blanket fort or inventing a new game does. The benefits of play don’t disappear when we all grow up and get jobs. Though our brains are fully developed around age 25, play is still important. Research fromDr. Stuart Brown of the NIFP shows that when adults continue to let themselves play, they develop stronger social skills, keep their brains sharp, and reinforce stronger bonds with loved ones. Of course,
bout a year ago, I found an abandoned kite on the beach. The kite wasn’t in the best shape, and it looked partially broken, which is probably why someone left it
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“IF THERE’S EVER A SEASON TO EMBRACE THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY, IT’S SUMMER.”
half-buried in the sand, but the state of the kite didn’t deter me. Just seeing it sparked some great childhood memories. Despite the kite’s condition, I got it flying and actually had a lot of fun! As I tugged the kite through the air, I remembered a school project fromwhen I was a kid. My teacher instructed us to build our very own kites. I can still picture my orange kite with a hand-drawn rainbow. Boy, did I love that kite! After I finally had to call it quits with the broken kite I found on the beach, I decided I want to track down a new rainbow kite and take it flying. I haven’t had the opportunity to find my dream kite yet, but if there’s ever a season to embrace the importance of play, it’s summer. There is so much research that shows how important unstructured play is for the brain development of kids. I could probably write a year’s worth of newsletter covers about it! One example comes from the University of
to get these results, adults need to engage in unstructured play, which can be a lot harder. Poker and gambling might be games, but they don’t count as play. Paintball in the woods, board games with friends, and even flying a kite are all examples of play which can help our physical and emotional health. A lot of us have been taught to believe that if we’re not doing something productive, then we’re wasting our time. The truth is, enjoying some time for play is exactly what we need to do if we hope to be productive at all! Appreciating play more is something I think we can all help each other with. Next time you’re in the office, feel free to ask me if I’ve gone out and flown my new kite yet — I’m sure with all my patients holding me accountable, I’ll finally get out there and play again! – Dr. Leslie Pitner
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
SUMMER READING FOR BUSY FAMILIES Audiobooks Inspire a Love of Stories in All Ages
this family must overcome together.
When a terrible fire destroys the Baudelaire mansion, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves orphans and are sent to live with the terrible Count Olaf. Convinced their awful new guardian is only after their fortune, the Baudelaires must use their intelligence and skills to stick together and (maybe) overcome their sad circumstances. Fans of the Netflix series will love to hear the story that started it all! Who knew such an unfortunate series could mean fun for the whole family? For Family Bonding “Half Magic” by Edward Eager, read by WordsTakeWing A beloved family favorite since it was first published in 1954, “Half Magic” tells the story of siblings Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha, who discover a magic wish- granting coin. They soon realize the coin only grants half of what they wish for, and an unplanned vacation to the Sahara, followed by chaos in King Arthur’s court, is just a one of the hilarious misadventures There are times when a patient may be told their condition is not suitable for Invisalign, but this misinformation usually comes from an orthodontist who’s not yet familiar with or experienced enough with what Invisalign is capable of.While it is true older teenagers and adults with fully erupted teeth are better suited for Invisalign, there are few circumstances in which Invisalign can’t be used.Youmay need additional appliances such as bite correctors or expanders to aid treatment in extreme cases, but Invisalign is always still an option. If you or a friend have been told Invisalign can’t help you by another orthodontist, it’s time to call 803-781-5225 to get a second opinion fromDr. Pitner. Find out today if traditional braces are really your only option.
Summer reading lists are always popular, but most families rarely have time to have dinner together, let alone sit still reading for hours. Luckily, the ever-growing popularity of audiobooks means you don’t have to wait for school to start again for your kids to get back into literature. Here are a few great audiobooks you can introduce to your family this summer. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation “The Bad Beginning” (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket, read byTimCurry
For Something Entirely New “TheWild Robot” by Peter Brown, read by Kate Atwater When lonely robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she finds she’s trapped on a wild island. Struggling to survive and befriend the island’s hostile animal inhabits, Roz must eventually face her mysterious past, which threatens to tear her home apart. This brand-new book is a stunning tale about the environment, technology, and the wonder of being alive.
These are just a few of the many titles your family can enjoy this summer.
Find even more by visiting Audible.com or checking the audiobooks catalogue on iTunes.
INVISALIGN IS FOR EVERYONE
If you cringe at the sight of your teeth in themirror or refuse to smile for pictures, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about orthodontics.There are many options to help straighten your teeth, but 4 million patients worldwide agree, Invisalign is the best way to go! If you’re eager to enjoy the journey to straighter teeth with the confidence of clear aligners, take this brief quiz to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign: Do you want a straighter, more beautiful smile? Yes. No. If you answered yes, then congratulations! Invisalign can help you achieve your dream smile. After hearing other people talk about whether you are a “candidate” for Invisalign, this might be surprising, but we’ll let you in on a little secret: Invisalign can be used to treat almost any condition normal braces can treat.
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DEAR DIARY ... How to Journal if You Don’t Like Journaling
or dusty social media feeds. If you’re a visual person, why not start printing your favorite pictures out? Try organizing old photo albums or resurrect the art of scrapbooking. If you need help getting pictures off your computer, Snapfish.com specializes in turning digital pictures into quality prints. Go Digital Apps like Day One for iOS or Journey for Android are perfect for recording your thoughts quickly. Journaling apps are as easy as scrolling down social media, but they can be locked for your eyes only. Integrate written segments with photos to create entries you can reflect on from your phone, tablet, or computer. There are as many reasons to journal as there are options for alternative journaling. Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy doing every day. Happy journaling!
you have to write to your kids.You can address your letters to your spouse, a close friend, your mother, or even a loved one who’s passed away. Record Quotes Quotes are special because they capture a profound feeling in just a few words. By recording some of your favorite quotes, you’re able to capture those feelings and reflect on why they resonate with you. Include quotes from historical figures, books, song lyrics, something you heard waiting in line at the coffee shop, or some of the “darndest things” your kids say. Collect Photos The advent of camera phones made capturing life’s precious memories easy, but more often than not, those precious memories are trapped in old cellphones, desktop folders,
What do Thomas Jefferson, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, and VirginiaWoolf all have in common? They all kept journals. In fact, many of history’s most celebrated figures journaled long before science connected journaling with personal growth and learning enhancement. However, traditional journaling isn’t for everyone. If you hit a wall every time you try to put pen to paper, or worry you’ll have to burn your journal when you’re done, there are other ways you, too, can enjoy the benefits of journaling. Write Letters toYour Kids Framing journal entries as letters to children can help provide a starting point for you. Many parents journal like this with the intent of letting their kids one day read the letters, but that doesn’t have to be your end goal. Nor do
SENSATIONAL SUMMER SALAD
It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced • 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced • 1 cup blueberries • 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil.
2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top.
3. Gently toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.
Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
5953 Wescott Rd. Columbia, SC 29212 803-781-5225 Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.drpitner.com
INSIDE
When’s the Last Time You Flew a Kite? Audiobooks Your Family Will Love
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Quiz: Can Invisalign Help You?
How to Journal Without Journaling
Sensational Summer Salad
Local Events
Summer Camps to Beat Summer Boredom
FUN TO THE RESCUE
Challenger Learning Center Summer Camps Ages: 7–18 When: See website for details Where: Challenger Learning Center, Columbia, South Carolina Website: thechallengercenter.net Phone: 803-929-3951 Attention all future engineers, scientists, and astronauts! This summer, the Challenger Learning Center invites you to learn something new. Education and adventure collide in space- themed day camps designed to entertain and challenge campers. FromAstronaut Academy to Robot Camp, these fun programs will inspire kids of all ages to shoot for the stars! Not seeing the perfect camp for your kids? Visit sciway.net/summer-camps/columbia-sc- summer-camps.html and browse some of the best summer camps Columbia has to offer.
they’ve learned at a special production on the last day of camp.
Summer vacation is finally here! Help your kids have fun all summer long by checking out these great summer camp options: Acting Up Camp Ages: Grades 3–6 When: July 10–14, 1–4:30 p.m. and July 17–21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: Columbia Children’sTheatre, Columbia, South Carolina Website: columbiachildrenstheatre. com/2017-summer-camps-at-cct Phone: 803-691-4548 The world’s a stage, and this summer, your child can be the star! Every blossoming thespian will love to take part in a weeklong workshop which focuses on improving their acting chops. CCT actors will lead campers and explore pantomime, improvisation, character development, and many more valuable skills! Campers will be able to showcase everything
History Mysteries: Detective Finn and the Case of MuseumMania Ages: 9–11 When: July 19–23 or July 31 toAugust 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina Website: scmuseum.org/summercamps Phone: 803-898-4921 It’s the mystery of the millennium— or at least, the mystery of the summer. There’s something afoot at South Carolina State Museum, and Detective Finn needs some help from the new History Detectives. Camps will decode secret messages from the RevolutionaryWar, practice archeology, and refine their sleuthing skills as they solve South Carolina’s greatest mysteries.
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