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INSIDE
Meet Brittany 1 Trick Your Kids Into Healthy Eating 2 When to Get Porcelain Veneers 2 The Dangers of DIY Whitening 3 Start the Day Right With This Granola 3 Refer and Win! 4
Steel City Smiles
January/February 2018 (205) 991-9892 | www.drgooch.com
MEET BRITTANY SAY HELLO TO ONE OF OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBERS
Hello readers! My name is Brittany, and I’m the financial coordinator here at Gooch Family Dental. I joined the team last June, when my fiancé and I moved up from Montgomery, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I prayed to get this position because I could tell it would be a perfect fit for me. I’d never laughed so hard in a job interview before! It’s a great place to work, filled with wonderful people who’ve made my transition to Birmingham a breeze. Even though I deal with finances, not teeth, my background is in dentistry. Growing up, I did not have the best teeth. I was shy
My fiance, Matt, and I love the great outdoors. Since coming to Birmingham, we’ve spent hours hiking the trails around Oak Mountain with our dogs, Gracy and Jolie. We actually met while playing for rival kickball teams, and we’ve kept that passion for sports alive throughout our relationship. Before I met Matt, I was never really into football. I remember my dad would watch it while I was growing up, but I always preferred going shopping with my mom on the weekends. Thankfully, Matt was patient with me and took the time to explain all the rules and drama of the sport to me. Now I’m almost as big a Giants fan as he is, we’ve even gone to New York to cheer them on at MetLife Stadium!
Meanwhile, I’ve introduced Matt to the world of endurance running and even ran a Tough Mudder with him! Tough Mudders are races that test your physical and mental strength through an obstacle course. One of the last obstacles is a gauntlet of electrified wires you have to run through. When Matt and I charged in, we were holding hands, but we didn’t come out that way. We love each other, but when you’re running through about 10,000 volts of electricity, it’s every man and woman for themselves!
“My fiance, Matt, and I love the great outdoors. Since coming to
Birmingham, we’ve spent hours hiking the trails around Oak Mountain with our dogs, Gracy and Jolie.”
about my smile and my self-confidence suffered. Then I got an Invisalign retainer for my last year of high school, and the difference was night and day.
Not only did I smile more, I started taking better care of my body in general. Believe it or not, I used to weigh over 200 pounds. My parents had gotten into body building and doing marathons, and with my newfound confidence, I decided to join them. Now I do Spartan Races and other endurance competitions every year. I really came out of my shell! It was such a positive experience that I wanted to help others gain the same confidence, so I went to California to study dentistry. I got my associate degree as a dental assistant, and I have worked in the field since 2012. I’ve moved to a more administrative role in the past four years, but I still play an important part in helping others take care of their smiles. I’m the one who coordinates with the insurance companies so you can keep your teeth happy and healthy. My background in the dental field helps me ensure patients get the care they need without having to pay out of pocket.
Matt, Gracy, Jolie, and I are so happy to call Birmingham home. We look forward to growing our roots in the community and getting to know folks like you! If you spot me at the office, feel free to talk football with me (even if you’re a Cowboys fan).
–Britta ny FINANCIAL COORDINATOR
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Get Your Kids to Eat
Healthier Than Ever
Do your kids get enough nutrients in their diet? If they’re like most kids, the answer is probably no. You want your children to eat more vegetables and less processed junk, but that’s easier said than done. Getting the average kid to chow down on a serving of broccoli is a chore. Food manufacturers have built an entire industry around our kids’ penchant for sugary cereal and fast food. However, a diet of processed foods can lead to a host of problems, including hindered brain development and even behavioral issues. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found links between poor diet and the development of depression in kids and teens. So, how can you encourage your kids to eat healthier foods? One way is through presentation. A mound of plain old veggies is unappealing, whether you’re 10 years old or 40. The solution is to think of vegetables as an ingredient rather than as a stand-alone dish. Take lasagna, for instance. You can easily modify this beloved Italian dish. Instead of using lasagna noodles, slice zucchini into thin, noodle-like strips and layer them as you would typical pasta. The same can be done for other pasta dishes. Zucchini noodles made with a spiralizer — also known as “zoodles” — make a mean substitute for spaghetti. Pair them with your favorite marinara sauce or toss them in a slightly less decadent, but still delicious, alfredo.
Vegetables can also be incorporated into other foods your children already know and love. Did you know
you can make brownies with avocado and black beans? Slipping in a few healthier ingredients here and there can deliver the nutrients your kids need to power through a busy school week. If you want to foster long-lasting healthy eating habits, the best thing you can do is offer your child some agency. For example, saying to your child, “You can have the cauliflower or the broccoli. It’s up to you!” empowers them to make their own decision based on their preferences. Psychologists and social scientists, including the famed Dr. Maria Montessori, argue that when
kids feel in charge of a decision, they are more likely to embrace the ability to choose, even if it’s between two kinds of vegetables.
Ultimately, as a parent, you are in control of your child’s diet. Help them explore new
foods and foster a positive culinary environment. Your kids will develop a taste for healthy eating in no time!
Have You Considered Veneers? A PORCELAIN GRIN
At Gooch Family Dental, we understand the importance of a great smile. We want all our patients to leave feeling confident about showing off their pearly whites! Sometimes intensive procedures, like realignments, are needed in order to get there. But what if your smile is just a little off? If minor discoloration or one chipped tooth is keeping you from grinning, it may be worthwhile to look into porcelain veneers.
• Achieve a dramatically whiter smile by covering stains and discoloration • Conceal structural damage, like minor cracks and chips • Improve the appearance of mild misalignment • Fill spaces and gaps between your teeth • Improve the dimensions of your teeth for a smile that compliments your facial features
What They Are:
How to Get Them:
Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted ceramic shells with a thin, translucent finish designed to fit your smile. They don’t replace your natural teeth, but are bonded to the front of them. Patients can have a veneer placed over a single problem tooth, or have entire sets made.
Usually, getting porcelain veneers takes two appointments. First, the dentist will make room for the veneers by removing a small amount of enamel. They will then make a detailed impression of your teeth, from which your custom veneers will be crafted. Here at Gooch Family Dental, we have our own CEREC® machine that can craft small orders on-site. If you feel like small imperfections are holding your smile back, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gooch today and find out if veneers are right for you.
What They Do:
The benefits of porcelain veneers are extensive. Depending on the condition of your teeth, veneers can be the most effective avenue for reaching your aesthetic goals. Many patients invest in them for their ability to do the following:
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ARE YOU USING THESE DANGEROUS DIY WHITENING TRICKS?
Who doesn’t want a beautiful, white smile? If a wedding or a high school reunion is on the horizon, whitening your teeth is likely a top priority. The internet is full of seemingly miraculous and inexpensive do-it-yourself life hacks that promise to improve your smile. But before you jump on the BuzzFeed bandwagon, let us save you some regret. Be sure to avoid these “amazing,” but actually harmful, DIY whitening tricks. Charcoal Not to be mistaken for the bricks you toss on the barbecue, activated charcoal has the uncanny ability to absorb toxins. Found in everything from hand soap to face masks, charcoal even made its way into toothpaste. But in reality, dentists warn against scrubbing the black stuff all over your teeth. While activated charcoal may be able to whiten your teeth to some degree, the abrasive substance can easily damage your teeth and gums, leading to enamel deterioration and tooth erosion. Strawberries Many beauty blogs recommend using strawberries to whiten teeth. Ran Kwon, a teeth-whitening researcher at the University of Iowa, decided to put the claim to the test. In her research, Kwon
determined that while brushing with a strawberry mixture might remove superficial debris and plaque, it has no real whitening effect. In fact, the malic and citric acid found in strawberries actually erodes teeth and can reduce surface hardness by up to 10 percent. Whitening Toothpaste Yes, even “official” home whitening methods can cause more harm than good. Whitening toothpaste erases extrinsic stains and discoloration caused by tea, wine, coffee, smoking, and other bad oral habits. However, whitening toothpaste works by literally scrubbing away the stains with tiny abrasive particles. In addition to the stains, this toothpaste also scratches off your enamel. And once your enamel is gone, it doesn’t grow back. So, what are you supposed to do if you’re longing for a brighter set of pearly whites? Talk to your dentist! They’ll recommend in-office and over-the-counter treatments that can help whiten your teeth without destroying them in the process.
WORD SEARCH
PISTACHIO GOJI BERRY GRANOLA
INGREDIENTS 1 cup rolled oats •
1/2 teaspoon salt
•
1 tablespoon coconut oil
•
3 tablespoons maple syrup
•
1/3 cup pistachios, chopped
•
1/4 cup coconut flakes
•
1 teaspoon cinnamon
•
1/3 cup goji berries
•
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oats in a thin layer and toast for 1–2 minutes. Add coconut oil and salt, then stir. Continue toasting for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. Add maple syrup 1 tablespoon at a time; stir to coat. 3. Once oats are toasted, add pistachios, coconut flakes, and cinnamon. Cook slowly until pistachios and coconut flakes are toasted but not burned, about 5 minutes. 4. Remove from pan and stir in goji berries. 5. Let cool and enjoy as a snack or on top of your yogurt! Recipe inspired by LoveAndLemons.com
CELEBRATION GOALS HEART NEW SNOWFLAKE
FEBRUARY GROUNDHOG JANUARY PRESIDENT WINTER
FLOWERS HAPPY LOVE RESOLUTION YEAR
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