Take a look at our December newsletter!
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The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry
SANTA CLAUS NEVER MISSES AN APPOINTMENT!
DECEMBER 2020
‘Tis the season for healthy, happy smiles! Here’s something you may not know: Every year, just before Christmas, Santa Claus makes a special trip to Signature Smiles! Dr. Omar sits down with Santa for a pre-flight physical checkup. That is to say, Dr. Omar makes sure Santa’s teeth are clean, healthy, and ready for a night of cookies and milk! And with all the cookies Santa gets to eat, it’s a good thing he books his appointment every year to make sure he’s cavity-free so that he can enjoy all of those cookies worry‑free! And yes, after every checkup, Dr. Omar makes sure Santa leaves with a toothbrush for the road (or would it be the skies?).
“One of the reasons why I like to come to Signature Smiles is to get my pre-flight physical taken care of,” Santa says, “When you’re traveling at 78,000 feet at 246,000 miles per hour, the last thing you need is a tooth coming down on a biscotti and having a crown break! The doctor takes very, very good care of my teeth — and Mrs. Claus’, as well! I’m ready to deliver the presents on Christmas Eve!” We always love it when Santa stops by. This year, Santa’s visit meant even more, especially following a tough year for our community. Nothing brightens the holiday spirit quite like a visit from Santa. It’s fun for the staff and patients — even while following COVID-19 safety procedures!
At the end of the visit, Dr. Omar gave Santa his pre-flight approval. Everything checked out, and Santa was ready for his whirlwind trip around the world on Christmas Eve!
Thank you, Santa, for stopping by! We can’t wait to see you again next year!
–Dr. Omar
SignatureSmilesOH.com — 1
TO IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTIVE HEALTH Herbalism: A Natural Solution
Herbalism, a plant-based medicine, can be used to heal and improve your body’s functions. This medical practice is thousands of years old and dates back to the ancient Egyptians, but qualified herbalists continue to use herbal medicine today. Through the use of a variety of plants (roots, flowers, and leaves), herbalism can help improve digestion and provide other benefits for your circulation, mood, energy, and stamina. Digestion is an important part of your body’s functions. Poor digestion can result in diarrhea, constipation, nausea, heartburn, gas, or bloating. Other well-known conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), involve problems with digestion. Each of these symptoms and conditions can significantly impact a person’s well-being and daily life, but the proper use of herbs can help people reduce or ease these symptoms and support digestive health. The National Institute of Medical Herbalists states, “Many herbs are known to act directly on the digestive tract — bitters, for example, may stimulate acid and enzyme production, fennel and other aromatic herbs prevent bloating, but this is only part of the story.” If left untreated, poor digestion results in the inflammation of the
digestive tract. When it comes to decreasing the risk of inflammation and other symptoms, a medical herbalist will consider a person’s total
health when putting together the herbs needed for treatment.
Many herbs can help your digestive system function well and stay healthy. Here are a few you can include in your daily meals or use when you have an uncomfortable gut feeling, according to TraditionalMedicinals.com. • To calm the nerves: chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender • To relieve cramping: ginger and fennel • To alleviate constipation: dandelion leaf and root tea
For more information about herbalism and how it can benefit your health, visit the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at NIMH.org.uk.
You may not have heard the term bruxism before, though it’s a very common condition. Our Streetsboro hygiene Therese is here to answer all your questions about what bruxism is and how we can treat it as well as help relieve your headaches and jaw pain along the way. WHAT IS BRUXISM? Bruxism is a condition in which you grind and/or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism). Bruxism is sometimes referred to as TMJ because it is directly related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is responsible for the movements of the jaw. Frequent clenching and grinding can stress the whole system and cause the joint to be aggravated and out of place. Bruxism Q&A With Our Hygienist Therese
HOW COMMON IS IT? It is very common. As many as 1 in 3 adults suffer from TMJ related issues on a consistent basis. It can become a problem at any age. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms, but often, wear marks are visible on your teeth. When symptoms do occur, they can include headaches, tension in the back of the neck, clicking and popping of the joint, limited opening, pain when chewing or with extended opening, and sensitive teeth (due to gum recession which can be caused by the trauma of grinding and clenching). Worn down enamel on the teeth can also cause sensitive teeth. DOES IT GO AWAY? There may be times in life where you clench or grind your teeth less often, but it usually does not go away without intervention. As you continue to stress the muscles and joints, your bite actually gets stronger over time and grinding becomes more destructive to the teeth and TMJ.
HOW DO I TREAT IT? Many people think of an occlusal guard, aka a nightguard, because traditionally that is what dentists have used over the years. In recent years, it has become apparent that this is not the best treatment. At Signature Smiles, we make a custom deprogrammer, which differs from an occlusal guard in many ways. It is smaller and stronger, so it lasts much longer than a typical guard. It is also a more custom fit to ensure the most optimal bite as you sleep. Another advantage is that the user wears it from canine to canine. Since it does not cover all the teeth, it is more comfortable. A deprogrammer protects your muscles, joints, and teeth from the trauma of clenching and grinding. Over time ,you are less likely to attempt to clench or grind. Many people notice a huge improvement in headaches and neck tension as well as the other symptoms listed above. We believe in using the latest technology and providing our patients with the best care possible!
Please call the office to schedule a consultation if you think you may be clenching and grinding.
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The Elyria Office Gets Hydrated! Have you heard of the water challenge? In November, the Elyria office decided to take up the challenge to get hydrated! It all started when the Elyria staff noticed Dr. Seim carrying a large 1-gallon water bottle. But this wasn’t an ordinary water bottle. It was covered in inspirational sayings like, “Keep chugging” and “You made it!” It also was covered in numbers (more on that in a moment). Everyone asked Dr. Seim, “What’s up with the water bottle?” Turns out, it was all part of a water challenge — a challenge to drink a full gallon of water every day as a way to stay hydrated and healthy. Dr. Seim asked the office if they wanted to join in on the challenge. Everyone was on board immediately! Dr. Seim purchased special 1-gallon water bottles for the staff and the water challenge began! Here’s how it works: At the start of every day, you fill your water bottle with a gallon of water. Along the side of the bottle, you’ll find numbers indicating the time of day. The idea is to drink a certain amount of water every hour until you’re finished with the gallon. How much water should you drink every day? The traditional rule of thumb states you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, or 64 ounces per day. However, newer research states you should drink The Water Challenge
half your body weight in ounces of water per day. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day.
There are 128 ounces in one gallon of water. That may seem like a lot, but it’s perfectly healthy! Staying hydrated is great for your skin, hair, and may even help you sleep better at night. (Just give yourself a cutoff time to stop drinking water before bed)! It may also help you lose weight, because the more you drink, the fuller you feel, which discourages you from eating too much.
And so, the water challenge continues! What will the results be? Who will make it through the challenge? Stay tuned!
(Hydration pro tip: If drinking that much water sounds boring, go ahead and add a little something extra to it, such as lemon or other sugar-free flavors!)
Nothing pulls together a salad quite like a delicious Caesar dressing. This easy vegan recipe takes just five minutes to make and keeps for 5–7 days in the fridge. Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing
INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup hummus • 5 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp spicy mustard • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tsp capers, minced • 3 tsp caper brining juice • 1 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Hot water, as needed
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. 2. If needed, add a bit of hot water to thin the dressing until it will pour. 3. Serve with salad or refrigerate for later!
We guarantee an anxiety‑free experience—always!
Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com
SignatureSmilesOH.com — 3
9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779
Also Serving Elyria! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
SignatureSmilesOH.com
The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry
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Free 24-hour recorded message reveals the “9 Questions You Need Answered Before Committing to Dental implants.” Call Now: 833-332-7373 Ext. 2.
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Santa Claus Visits Signature Smiles!
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Improve Your Digestion With Herbalism
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Bruxism: What It Is and How We Treat It
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Who Will Win the Water Challenge?
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Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing
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Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed
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
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.
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.
Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!
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Dear Loyal Patients, As we adjust to the new normal of living with COVID-19, the guidelines for public safety continue to be refined. We have noticed that some are being more complacent with precautions that prevent the spread of the virus. We want to assure you that we are not! We are more diligent than ever and are taking every precaution possible to ensure the health of our patients and our team.
As a reminder, this is a summary of the changes and improvements we have made:
• Pre-screening questions and temperature check for every person who enters the office • Enhanced and ongoing OSHA training for our entire team • Continued sterilization of instruments using the latest technology • Elimination of the waiting room to reduce foot traffic inside the office
While we are doing everything in our power to protect you, we also ask for your cooperation in making our office environment a safe one when you visit us.
One thing that is becoming increasingly important is we must continue to limit nonpatient individuals who enter our office. It is critical to the health and safety of everyone. There will be appointments when our doctors will invite you into the office.
We are proceeding with a great amount of caution, but we want you to feel as confident as we do that any visit you make to our office will be a safe one. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to work toward our primary goal, which is creating an anxiety-free, comfortable, fun, and safe environment.
Thank you for choosing us.
Respectfully,
Dr. Omar Salameh, DDS Dr. Issa Salameh, DDS Dr. Seim Salameh, DDS Dr. Firas Yacoub, DDS
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