Signature Smiles - October 2022

Take a look at our October newsletter!

4,617 Lives Changed Through Sedation 1,688 5-Star Reviews, and Counting 86 Years of Combined Experience

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

KICKING OFF WITH THE PARADE Streetsboro Turns 200!

OCTOBER 2022

The Signature Smiles team gathered this year to participate in the Streetsboro Bicentennial celebration! It was a great time to reflect on the past 200 years, and it honored the town’s history while acknowledging its tremendous growth and envisioning where it would be in the future. There were many events during the festival, but they kicked it off with the bicentennial parade. Since we were a sponsor for the celebration, we received a banner with our business logo, and it was placed right in town — ours is on Route 14! We gathered staff members, hopped into our truck’s bed, and threw out some great toothbrushes, chapsticks, and lanyards with our logo. We even threw candy; we definitely went through a lot of that by the

end of the parade! The toothbrushes seemed to be a fan favorite, but who could blame them? Everyone loves a good toothbrush. Our group had about 14 participants, including staff members, spouses, and children. The kids absolutely loved it and had such a wonderful time being in the parade with us and throwing out all our goodies. We also had some nice T-shirts made for the event with our Signature Smiles logo on the back and the Streetsboro logo on the front. And though it was a bit of a hot day, it was a super great experience, and we truly loved seeing all of our smiling patients on the route and being able to say hi!

–The SIgnature Smiles Team

SignatureSmilesOH.com — 1

WHILE KEEPING SAFETY IN MIND Have a Spooky Good Time

PACK THE ESSENTIALS.

Halloween is all about letting the ghoul times roll, but monsters and ghosts aren’t the only things parents need to worry about this holiday. Most older kids don’t want an adult chaperoning — they want to venture off with their friends to enjoy the night all on their own.

Always make sure your child has their phone on them in case of an emergency, no matter if it’s to call you or an

Here are a few safety tips so that you and your older kids can enjoy the spooky evening with no worries.

emergency line. You could even share locations so that you’re able to track where they are or use another location tracking app like Life360 or FamiSafe that’s available on your devices. If they plan to stay out for a while, have your child take water bottles, flashlights, and even a small first-aid kit with them. They actually come in handy when exploring the Halloween night and the unexpected happens. Older kids deserve a bit of freedom, as long as they can do it responsibly. Consider these tips to make sure the night is trick-free and full of the best treats.

PLAN A ROUTE AND CURFEW. Some older kids still love the nostalgia of trick-or-treating, or maybe they plan to pull some Halloween pranks with their friends. Whatever the reason may be, they may want to enjoy the evening without a parent. One of the best ways to make sure they’re staying safe is to plan a route and a curfew. Pick and choose which routes you feel comfortable with them going on, either somewhere nearby or somewhere in the neighborhood. And choosing a curfew time is essential so you know when to expect their return. This way if something happens and you cannot reach them or they aren’t back in time, you have a general idea of where they can be on the route.

E-Cigarettes, Oral Health, and You!

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. They can look like regular cigarettes, cigars, pipes, USB flash drives, or even 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 — and trace amounts of lead have also been found in the liquid.

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 into the lungs, it can cause serious inflammation and destroy lung tissue, making it harder to breathe. Despite all of these concerning facts, e-cigarettes remain popular among adults. In fact, 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 (but this 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 then leads to oral ulcers or oral cancer. Research also suggests that vapors can inflame the gums, putting users at a greater risk of developing 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-QUITNOW. This number connects people to a quit smoking specialist. They offer free coaching

and counseling regardless of 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.

Another compound found in e-juice is diacetyl. Diacetyl is a food additive and

–Corliss Robinson, RDH

2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com

PET OF THE MONTH: MEET MACK, THE ENGLISH BULLDOG!

Animals don’t ask for much; most just need a warm, safe place to live, delicious treats, and all the love and attention an owner can provide. Whether it be a dog, cat, bird, or even a guinea pig — our pets bring unconditional love and become a part of our families. This month, we are featuring our Streetsboro Hygienist Tiffany’s 7-year-old English bulldog, Mack! Despite this breed’s cute, grumpy face, the English bulldog is actually a very friendly, curious, and happy dog. This rings quite true for Mack. He is 65 pounds and just full of love, snuggles, and chicken (his favorite food)! You can typically find Mack sleeping when he’s not fiercely guarding his beloved home. But he won’t sleep just anywhere; Mack is a dog with a particular taste. He isn’t too fond of hard surfaces, but rather, he enjoys his beauty sleep on a soft couch, chair, or in bed with his family. And just like any other dogs that are big in size, he thinks he’s a tiny, little lap dog! He’s a bit stubborn and does what he wants when he wants. His favorite toy used to be his rubber ball, and he would chase it around every now and then, but he’s become a bit of a lazy boy. Mack is just the sweetest (but his farts — not so much!). Want your pet featured in our newsletter? Send your pet’s fun facts and pictures to PatientRelations@SignatureSmilesOH.com , and maybe you’ll see them in an upcoming edition!

SPOOKY SPAGHETTI AND EYEBALLS Make your family dinners extra spooky this month with a frightening dish: spaghetti and eyeballs!

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

INGREDIENTS • 24 oz frozen meatballs • 16 oz spaghetti noodles • 24-oz jar spaghetti sauce • 2–3 slices of mozzarella cheese • Sliced black olives

DIRECTIONS 1. Cook frozen meatballs according to package instructions, then keep warm in oven on low heat. 2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add spaghetti noodles. Cook until tender and drain. 3. In a small pot, heat spaghetti sauce over medium heat until warm. 4. After everything is cooked, mix noodles and spaghetti sauce together, then put the mixture into a serving bowl. 5. Slice the meatballs in half and mix half of the slices into spaghetti. Top the spaghetti with the remaining meatball slices with the flat sides up. 6. Cut slices of mozzarella cheese into circles and place one slice on each of the flat-topped meatballs. Then, put one black olive over each cheese circle to form the eyeballs. Serve and enjoy!

SignatureSmilesOH.com — 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779

Also Serving Elyria and Brunswick! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Brunswick, OH 44212 330-460-6540

Inside 1

SignatureSmilesOH.com

Celebrating Streetsboro’s Bicentennial

Halloween Safety Tips

2

E-Cigarettes, Oral Health, and You

2

Pet of the Month

3

Our Patients Say It Best

3

Spooky Spaghetti and Eyeballs

3

It’s World Teachers’ Day!

4

VOLUNTEER WHEN YOU CAN. In addition to teaching in the classroom, teachers need to chaperone students during field trips, recess, lunch, and standardized tests. Contact your child’s school and see when they need volunteers to help with these activities. Teachers will greatly appreciate it because they will have a chance to take a break or organize their materials for the next class. Even if it’s just for the day or a few hours, teachers will appreciate the extra assistance. Teachers play a vital role in preparing our children for the real world. They teach them vital social skills and problem-solving strategies that will assist them as they age. So, let’s take some time to show appreciation for their dedication to our children.

Teachers have impacted you and your children’s lives in more ways than one. Maybe they inspired you to take a certain career path, always understood you, or were there for you or your child when it was needed. Teachers have a demanding job, so in honor of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, let’s take some time to appreciate them. Here are three ways to show your gratitude this month. DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Some teachers spend personal funds to purchase school supplies for their classrooms. This expense can become costly, especially if they provide for multiple students. Donate unused notebooks, pencils, pens, or other school supplies to a teacher. Some teachers even have wish lists available if you want to purchase new items for their classrooms. They will appreciate your kindness, and the children who need these supplies will also be grateful. WRITE THANK-YOU LETTERS. If you had a teacher who impacted your life, or if your child has a favorite teacher, write them a thank-you note. Handwritten notes are more meaningful than ones you buy at the store. It shows you put in time and effort to create something specifically for them. You can write about a favorite memory you had with them or the ways they’ve inspired you. If you’re feeling extra generous, add a gift card to the note! A small message can go a long way in turning someone’s day around.

4 — SignatureSmilesOH.com

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

www.signaturesmilesfamilydentistry.com

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator