Check out our December newsletter!
REPORT THE WELLNESS
DECEMBER 2020
770-965-3048
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www.JonesSmiles.com
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Merry Christmas &Happy Holidays
770-965-3048 • 1
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BE A BETTER LISTENER FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO ‘GET IT ALL OUT’
It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you.
Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better “listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact. Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says. While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective listening” comes in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing.
Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward.
CONTINUING TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY Enhanced Sterilization Protocols and Controls
Beverages will be served safely only upon request.
Masks will be provided for the safety of all.
There will be additional time between patients for enhanced sterilization.
All patients will be asked COVID-19 screening questions.
Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the office.
All patients AND team members will have their temperature measured upon arrival.
Please reschedule if you have a fever or a sick family member.
Curbside check-in from your vehicle is now available.
Medical-grade air filtration is used in all operatories.
Magazines will be temporarily unavailable.
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3 Oral Health Habits That HarmYour Teeth AND HOW TO KICK THEM
We all have quirky habits. Most are benign, but some can be harmful. If you chronically bite your nails, chew ice, or use your teeth as a tool — three common bad oral habits — try these solutions to protect your teeth from potential damage and pain. Teeth as Tools: Our pearly whites are perfect for grinding our food and helping us speak, but that’s about as far as their usability as tools goes. Opening ketchup packages with your teeth or placing a few screws in your mouth as you hang a photo can be handy, but doing so could crack or damage your teeth. The Solution: Use actual tools! Open your condiment packets and other tricky containers with scissors. When doing home projects, use a tool belt or ask someone to hold your screws so you don’t choke or damage your teeth. Biting Your Nails: If this nervous habit is one of your vices, you’re not alone. About 20%–30% of the population succumbs to nail-biting, nearly half of whom
are teenagers. Biting your nails can chip or crack your teeth, and the nail pieces can get stuck in your gum line and potentially cause infection. The Solution: The good news is that most people quit biting their nails after age 30, but don’t rely on your age to kick this habit. Try applying bitter-tasting polish or chewing sugar-free gum to deter you from nail-biting. Or if your nail-biting is stress-induced, try meditating to reduce your stress. Chewing on Ice: It’s a mindless habit, really. At the end of our glass of water — or tooth-decaying sugary soda — we chomp on the ice at the bottom of the glass. But the combination of the hard ice and cold temperature can create small
cracks along your tooth’s enamel, which increases the likelihood that your tooth will crack or chip. The Solution: If you’re chewing as a way to occupy your mind, swap the ice with sugar-free gum! If you really want that ice-cold kick, drink cold water through a straw or suck on an ice cube instead. Struggling with one of these habits? Let our team know at your next appointment! We can help you find solutions and develop good oral habits.
BRAIN BREAK!
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
FESTIVE APPLE CIDER
If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
Ingredients
• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves
• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks
Directions
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
Carol Cheer Cocoa Family
Gift Holiday Holly Peace
Shovel Sledding Snow Turquoise
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
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7330 Spout Springs Road, Suite C15 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 www.JonesSmiles.com 770-965-3048
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Happy Holidays! PAGE 1 How to Be a Better Listener for Someone in Need Continuing to Keep You Safe and Healthy PAGE 2 3 Bad Oral Health Habits to Stop Immediately Festive Apple Cider PAGE 3 Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed PAGE 4
A DRIVER’S GUIDE TO SAFE HOLIDAY TRAVELS WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.
At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little- known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.
Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!
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