Take a look at our March newsletter!
THE
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-231-7755 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | MARCH 2025 FROM THE DENTAL CHAIR TO THE DINNER TABLE BRUSH - UP ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc. How Listening Shapes Better Care and Better Lives
Listening is at the heart of what I do — not just listening to symptoms or dental concerns but hearing the stories, emotions, and lives of the people who walk through my door. March is Listening Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect on the art of listening, how it shapes my life, and how it can transform relationships in and out of the dental office. I have always been more of a listener than a talker. It’s part of my personality as somewhat of an introvert but also something I deeply value. Listening allows me to connect with my patients in ways that extend beyond their dental health. Everyone has a story worth hearing and taking the time to ask meaningful questions and listen closely
often reveals remarkable tales. Whether it’s a patient who just returned from an African safari or another who produces music for famous artists, I am constantly amazed by the lives and experiences of those I meet. These conversations remind me that listening isn’t just about hearing words but building relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of the world. At the dental office, this philosophy is a cornerstone of how we treat patients. We’ve intentionally designed our appointments to ensure no one feels rushed or like just another name on a chart. My staff and I take the time to genuinely connect with everyone, whether it’s their first visit or their 50th. For some, visiting the dentist can feel intimidating, but when you’re greeted by a warm, welcoming team that values your thoughts and feelings, the fear often melts away. It’s not uncommon for patients to share their worries, joys, or even life advice with us — and we cherish those moments as much as we do the clinical work. Listening isn’t just a professional practice for me; it’s also a personal one. It’s a skill that requires daily practice and mindfulness, and I admit I am far from perfecting this skill. At home, with my wife and six kids, I’m constantly reminded of the importance of being present and patient. Kids don’t always open up when it’s convenient — they have a knack for sharing their deepest thoughts right when it’s time to leave the house or at bedtime. Fred Rogers is a personal inspiration for me in this
regard. I often think of a moment I saw in a documentary about him: He patiently listened to a young boy struggling to get his words out. He kneeled to his level and not once tried interrupting or rushing him. That level of attentiveness is something I aspire to, even on days when I feel tired or overwhelmed. With my children, I’ve learned that modeling good listening is just as crucial as expecting it from them. They learn from us, and if we want them to become empathetic, attentive people, we need to show them what that looks like. Whether taking a moment to pause during a busy morning or tuning into a meaningful conversation with my wife, I’m constantly working to improve this skill in all areas of my life. You have to be present in the moment to realize when it’s time to shift gears, slow down, and simply listen. In dentistry, listening builds trust and comfort. In family life, it strengthens bonds and teaches valuable lessons. And in every other facet of life, listening opens the door to deeper connections and unexpected wisdom. This month, I encourage you to practice listening — whether it’s with colleagues, loved ones, or even a stranger who just needs someone to hear them. You might be surprised by what you learn and the relationships you build along the way.
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4 TIPS EVERY PARENT SHOULD FOLLOW RAISE CONFIDENT KIDS SPRING’S SECRET TO WHITER TEETH AND HEALTHIER GUMS
How This Season’s Harvest Promotes a Happier Smile Spring is a season of renewal, and what better way to refresh your health and your smile than by indulging in fresh, teeth-friendly produce this time of year brings? The spring harvest offers flavor and natural benefits that promote strong teeth and healthy gums. Discover how these spring favorites can keep your smile glowing! STRAWBERRIES BRIGHTEN YOUR TEETH NATURALLY These bright red berries do more than delight your taste buds; they contain malic acid, a natural teeth whitener. Adding strawberries to your daily snacks or breakfast gives you a dose of sweetness and supports a brighter smile! LEAFY GREENS ARE A SUPERFOOD FOR YOUR SMILE Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are oral health powerhouses. Rich in fiber, calcium, and folic acid, they do more than just fill your plate — they promote saliva production, which is vital for breaking down food particles and neutralizing harmful acids. With their low-calorie content and mineral-rich profile, leafy greens strengthen enamel and help combat gum disease. CARROTS CRUNCH THEIR WAY TO CAVITY DEFENSE Sweet, crunchy, and packed with nutrients, carrots are a dental health superhero. Their fibrous texture stimulates saliva production, rinsing away bacteria and leftover food particles. Loaded with vitamin A, carrots also support healthy gums and strong teeth. APPLES ACT AS NATURE’S TOOTHBRUSH Crisp, juicy apples are more than just a tasty snack — they act as nature’s toothbrush. With their high water content and fibrous texture, apples stimulate saliva and scrub away debris. Every bite cleanses your teeth while delivering a burst of refreshment. Add an apple to your snack routine for a mouth-cleansing treat that tastes as good as it works. A BALANCED APPROACH TO DENTAL HEALTH While these springtime favorites are packed with benefits, moderation and mindfulness are key. Some fruits and vegetables contain natural acids that can weaken enamel. Eat in moderation and always wait about 30 minutes before brushing to protect and keep your smile healthy. This spring, embrace the season’s bounty for its flavors and incredible oral health benefits. The Anderson Dental Care team is here to cheer you on as you savor the best of spring while keeping your teeth in top shape!
Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be
a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self-assurance without
going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance.
RECOGNIZE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off. EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. AVOID FORESHADOWING PRAISE WITH NEGATIVITY. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game-winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you didn’t cut the grass as I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those. ALIGN THE LEVEL OF PRAISE WITH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT. In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season’s first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
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YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS DO WE OFFER COSMETIC DENTAL SERVICES? The Anderson Dental Care Team can help your smile be spring-ready for weddings or events with in-office whitening treatments and even clear dental aligners such as Invisalign! WHICH MAMMAL HAS THE MOST TEETH? For land mammals, the South American giant armadillo takes first place for most teeth, with nearly 100 tiny, flat teeth used to crush ants and termites. Among ocean life, the spinner dolphin has even more teeth! This sea mammal has nearly 260 pointy teeth used to catch slippery prey. WHICH SEA HAS NO COASTLINE? The Sargasso Sea is the only sea with no land boundary and exists entirely within the Atlantic Ocean. To the west, the sea is bordered by the Gulf Stream, and to the east is the Canary Current. The Sargasso Sea is also closed in by the North Atlantic Current at its north and the North Atlantic Equatorial Current to its south. No land whatsoever! WHO HAS HELD THEIR BREATH THE LONGEST? The world record for holding their breath the longest underwater goes to Croatia’s Budimir Šobat, who stayed underwater for 24 minutes and 37 seconds in 2021! KNEAD A BREAK? 10 MINUTES OF MASSAGE CAN RESET YOUR DAY Feeling tense? Life’s twists and turns can cause your stress levels to skyrocket, leading to various health problems. But relief may be easier and quicker than you think. According to recent studies, just 10 minutes of massage can work wonders on your mood, activating your body’s system for overcoming stress. A quick massage is like hitting the reset button on your day, turning your anxiety into a sense of balance and calm. Let’s explore how you can transform tension into tranquility in just 10 minutes. UNKNOT AND UNWIND A short massage prompts your body to slow down. Your body responds strongly to touch, and the kneading motion of massages helps release tension. When stressed, our bodies naturally tense up, which can cause pain and discomfort. Massage can increase the elasticity of tissues, warm your muscles, and work to relax the nerves associated with stress. When your muscles and joints are at ease, your body produces feel-good hormones like serotonin. DREAMY KNEADS When you can’t catch enough z’s, it significantly impacts your stress levels. Massages encourage deeper sleep by helping increase serotonin and
melatonin, the sleep hormone. Direct pressure on muscles increases the production of comfy hormones and reduces cortisol, the hormone responsible for anxiety. A quick rub down before bed can ease you into a calm state, coaxing you to drift off to dreamland. 10 MINUTES TO BLISS If you want to experience the stress-melting benefits of a short massage, you don’t need to book an appointment with a professional. You can give yourself several massages, like a shoulder massage, using circular motions on each side. If you’re facing a stress headache, glide your hands across your forehead, applying a small amount of pressure. Start at your ears and massage each side of your head with your fingertips. Do this several times and finish with a scalp massage. So, the next time you feel anxious, get comfortable and take a few minutes for a massage. These small moments of relaxation can roll you into the day calmer and more balanced.
‘Cheesy’ Cashew Queso
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
1. Heat broiler. Add poblanos face down to a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes or until charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, remove skin and cut into 1/4‑inch pieces. 2. In a saucepan, heat oil and garlic on medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in cashews and spices. 3. Return saucepan to heat. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes or until cashews are tender. 4. Put contents of saucepan in a blender and add yeast and 1/2 cup of water. Purée until smooth. 5. Pour mixture back into saucepan and simmer 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. 6. Fold in poblanos and serve with chips.
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2 large poblano peppers, halved and seeded
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1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 cup cashews
2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups water, divided 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
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ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
513-231-7755 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD., STE. A CINCINNATI, OH 45255
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Dr. Brooks Shares Lessons Learned From Hearing Others
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Build a Positive Self-Image in Your Kids
Strengthen Your Teeth With Seasonal Superfoods
3
Unwind in No Time
Your Monthly Need-to-Knows
‘Cheesy’ Cashew Queso
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Discover the Rich Tapestry of March’s History and Festivities MARVELS OF MARCH! Celebrating History, Innovation, and Green Spirit
ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS Of course, no mention of March is complete without tipping our hats to St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has transformed into an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a lot of green. The historical St. Patrick was quite the figure. He was born in Roman Britain and kidnapped to Ireland as a slave. After escaping and returning to his homeland, he later returned to Ireland, bringing Christianity with him. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not just in Ireland but worldwide, from the United States to Japan, making it a truly global affair. Whether you’re wearing green, attending a parade, or just enjoying a steaming plate of corned beef, it’s a day to celebrate the Emerald Isle’s rich history and vibrant culture. So, as March rolls around, whether you’re saying goodbye to summer in the Southern Hemisphere or welcoming spring in the North, there’s plenty to celebrate and remember in this magnificent month!
March is a magical month — when winter loosens its grip and spring starts to tiptoe in! It’s not just about blossoming flowers and warmer days; March is a treasure trove of historical milestones and fascinating celebrations that span the globe. A MONTH OF MARVELOUS INVENTIONS Did you know March has been a month of groundbreaking innovations? On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the first telephone, forever changing communication. Can you imagine our world without the ability to call someone at the touch of a button? March 7 was an important day again in 1933. That was the day the iconic game of Monopoly was invented, which has brought endless hours of fun, strategy, and the inevitable family feud over who gets to be the banker ever since. But that’s not all for March’s inventive streak! This month also marks the birth of a drink found in virtually every fridge around the globe — Coca-Cola. Invented in March 1886, this fizzy beverage began as a patent medicine and has since fizzed its way into the hearts of millions.
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