Take a look at our October newsletter!
THE
BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-231-7755 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | OCTOBER 2023
NATIONAL PARKS: NATURE’S PLAYGROUND You Should Always Try to Take the Scenic Route
I’ve said it before — my family and I love to be outdoors! We love all of the seasons, but fall might be our favorite. We’re not alone in that; according to Lonely Planet, October is the best month to visit national parks. Did you know there is a national park right here in Ohio? Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located between Cleveland and Akron, is just a short drive north and a beautiful fall destination! We’ve been there a few times, but it never gets old. We especially love the nearby scenic train that takes you on a ride through a portion of the park. It’s called the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. They offer a variety of events and rides, but our favorite is The National Park Scenic Excursion. The ride is about two hours round trip, and as you weave through the beautiful park, you can walk through the train to different cars with snacks, toys, reading nooks, domed cars, and more. We take card games to play during the trip, and the kids are never bored on this exciting ride!
When we’ve visited Cuyahoga Valley in the past, it’s been in the winter (hence the warm train). The scenery is a different kind of beautiful as the trees have no leaves, so you can see many animals and birds more easily. We also love the partly frozen waterfalls along the cliffs. Northern Ohio is freezing during the winter months! This year, we’re hoping to visit while the fall leaves are at their peak. We’ll still ride the train as is now our tradition, but I’m hoping for some hiking in the cool temps and crisp leaves, too. National parks are special for another reason — memories! I grew up visiting Indiana Dunes; in college, I visited several national parks in southern Utah on a road trip with roommates. One of my first dates with Jessica was to Yellowstone, and for our 10th anniversary, we drove from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Palm Springs, California, and Google took us on the scenic route right through Joshua Tree. On a trip to Arizona years ago, Jessica and the kids visited the Grand Canyon with grandparents, and just this summer, my family held a reunion in The Great Smokey Mountains. These national park experiences have been special as we witnessed awe- inspiring creations together. We’ve been asked how we have time to see dozens of parks, historic sites, and monuments, and the answer is simple — we make the time because it’s a priority for us! I’ve mentioned before that we like to road-trip when traveling so we can sight-see along the way. When traveling to see family scattered across the country, we try to scope out interesting parks and attractions to make part of the trip. This is how we’ve also seen Grand Teton, Gateway Arch, Death Valley, and Mt. Rainier. Even if we don’t get to visit for long, it’s still great to stretch our legs and look at something we may not have a chance to see again. Next on our list of national parks to visit is Mammoth Cave, which many of you have recommended to me. What other must-see parks have you visited? I encourage you to look ahead to holiday travel plans and see if there are any parks along your route or at your destination. They’re always worth a visit, and the memories will last a lifetime!
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BEWARE THE SUGAR MONSTER!
This 6-Year-Old Marvel Fan Became a Real-Life Superhero Every kid dreams of being a superhero, but Bridger Walker was the rare 6-year-old who acted when he was needed. In 2020, the young Marvel fan learned that being a hero requires sacrifice but also comes with great rewards. Bridger’s story started when he and his 4-year-old sister visited a friend’s house. The friend told the two that one of the dogs in the backyard was “mean.” So, when a dog came barreling at his sister, Bridger bravely stood in front of her and “kept moving” to block the dog’s path. The dog latched onto Bridger’s cheek, creating a disfiguring injury requiring a two-hour surgery and 90 stitches. But none of that mattered to the 6-year-old as long as his sister was safe. When Bridger’s father asked him why he stepped in front of the dog, he said Bridger responded, “If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.” Bridger’s incredible actions went viral. Once celebrities learned that Bridger loves Marvel movies, they jumped into action. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, recorded a special message of praise for Bridger and sent him an authentic Captain America shield. “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr. also sent a video message, promising Bridger a special surprise on his next birthday. The “Spider-Man: No Way Home” cast stepped up the most. Tom Holland, who plays Spidey himself, made a live call to speak with Bridger. Then, he and costar Zendaya invited him to visit them on set. The two made good on their promise in late 2021, and Bridger had the
Only one monster continues to lurk around the corner and hide in the closet or under your bed after Halloween — sugar! October is the start of the holiday season, and there are tons of baked goods, candies, sweets, and other sugary treats you can snack on during the holidays. However, eating too much sugar can cause issues not only to your oral health but also your overall health. Your mouth is a battleground between beneficial and harmful bacteria. Large amounts of sugar can cause harmful bacteria to produce acid that destroys enamel. Although saliva combats and protects your teeth from being attacked by these acids, it can’t fight off excessive sugar intake. Sugar also attracts bacteria that cause gingivitis, gum disease, and cavities. HOW CAN YOU COMBAT THE SUGAR MONSTER? The best way to prevent oral health issues from occurring is by practicing excellent hygiene habits. You want to brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss every night, and visit your dentist twice a year. It seems like a simple approach, but it’s a crucial step everyone should take to improve their oral and overall health. Incorporating brushing and flossing your teeth into your daily routine is a great way to prevent cavities, plaque and decay, and other diseases and help keep your smile healthy and breath fresh. When you visit your dentist, they can conduct deep cleanings and exams on your oral health to ensure everything looks good and if any preventive measures or services could help you. Another thing we see in our office around the holiday season is cracked and chipped teeth! Because of the pressure and stress the next few months can bring, some people accidentally damage their teeth. If this happens to you or someone you know, we can place a new filling or crown over the tooth to protect it. Don’t wait until a dental emergency or the new year to prioritize oral health! Our amazing dental hygienists, Whitney, Lydia, and Katelyn, are happy to help you and answer any questions or concerns. They each work so hard to make our patients feel comfortable, and we can’t thank them enough for their work. NAVIGATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT HARMING YOUR ORAL HEALTH
time of his life. The crew even helped him perform a mock stunt with Holland in full costume. Bridger got to swing through the air with Spider-Man! Bridger has mostly stayed out of the limelight since, but he was doing well when People magazine caught up with him in 2021. He has undergone several reconstructive surgeries to reduce the attack’s visible legacy. Still, his father reports
Bridger doesn’t want the scar to disappear entirely.
“Bridger views his scar as something to be proud of, but
he also doesn’t see it as being representative of his brave act,” his father explained to People. “He just perceives it as ‘I was a brother, and that’s what brothers do.’”
Come visit us today before the season gets crazier and busier. We’d love to see you!
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Be Sure to Follow These Steps! SUMMER FUN WITHOUT THE BURN
Cook With Your Kids to Make Mealtime Meaningful!
cooking now, you’re providing them with a skill they’ll need to be capable adults.
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS WHY IS THE PINKY FINGER CALLED THE PINKY FINGER? It seems like it’s common knowledge that the smallest finger on our hand is called the pinky. But the term we use to describe it comes from the Dutch word pink , meaning “little finger.” Scottish English immigrants began adapting the word into their society and started using the term “pinkie.” Now, it’s become a part of American English — just a change of spelling! CAN SHARKS SWIM BACKWARD? Fish in the ocean and those you can purchase at pet stores have pectoral fins that bend upward, allowing them to swim forward and backward. But a shark’s pectoral fin isn’t as flexible. If a shark needs to move backward, it will turn around by swimming in a circle or U shape or use gravity to fall back. WHICH PLANET HAS THE MOST OXYGEN? You would think Earth has the most oxygen since it’s essential to life. Surprisingly, according to a NASA report, Mercury’s atmosphere contains 42% oxygen, whereas Earth’s atmosphere only has 21%. Additionally, Earth’s neighbors, Venus and Mars, have a lot of oxygen! However, it’s in the form of carbon dioxide. As a parent, it can be incredibly challenging to nail down the perfect weeknight dinner menu that makes every hungry mouth in your home happy. This is especially true when you have picky little ones who demand waffles for dinner or dinosaur chicken nuggets seven nights a week. You may feel like your days as a short-order cook are endless, but we’re here to tell you about a simple trick to making healthier meals everyone in your family will enjoy. The trick is quite simple: Have your kids cook with you! Cooking with your kids has multiple benefits that stretch far beyond the kitchen table, but the immediate reward is that you won’t cook alone anymore! Next time dinner time rolls around, grab your little sous-chefs to lend a hand so they can enjoy these three benefits. NO. 1: COOKING TEACHES LIFE SKILLS. It may seem far off, but one day, your child will have to cook for themselves and eventually their own children, too. By teaching them the basics of
NO. 2: COOKING CREATES AN ADVENTUROUS EATER. Imagine seeing something like asparagus or artichoke on the plate in front of you for the first time and being told you must eat that weird-looking thing. That’s how many children experience food for the first time, which can feel like a scary experience. Kids who help cook in the kitchen are much more likely to try new and adventurous foods because they’re exposed to them and other ingredients over a period of time. They touch, slice, smell, crush, and season the foods before they ever eat them. So, by the time it hits their plate, it’s not so scary! NO. 3: COOKING PROMOTES HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. Time spent in the kitchen isn’t all about eating, either. While cooking, children stir, mix, measure, roll, squeeze, spread, observe, learn, and count. These activities all help develop fine motor, hand-eye coordination, math, and science skills, not to mention creativity!
ONE-BOWL VEGAN PUMPKIN MUFFINS
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
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15 oz can pumpkin purée 1/3 cup melted vegan butter (or vegetable oil) 1/2 cup unsweetened plant‑based milk 1 1/4 cups brown sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare muffin pan by greasing and placing paper liners. 2. In a large mixing bowl, add
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pumpkin, melted vegan butter (or oil), milk, and brown sugar, then whisk until well combined and smooth. With a sifter, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices over the wet mixture.
• • • • • • • •
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg
3. Using a large wooden spoon, mix until just combined (do not over‑mix). 4. Fill the muffin cups and bake for 22–25 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes and enjoy!
1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Inspired by NoraCooks.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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All Aboard the Scenic Express!
A Young Marvel Fan’s Incredible Act of Courage
Don’t Let Sugar Haunt Your Holidays
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Kids in the Kitchen: Wholesome Family Bonding
Your Monthly Need-to-Knows
One-Bowl Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
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The Simple Tooth: Discover More October Holidays!
If someone asks you what holidays are in October, your immediate answer is likely Halloween or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). But did you know of several smaller holidays and celebrations you can participate in all month long? Here are three of our favorites. OCT. 1: INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY Music is an art form that connects people from all walks of life. Musical layout and lyrics can impact people in many ways, too. Because of music’s power to bring people together, in 1974, the International Music Council declared that Oct. 1 would be International The Simple Tooth 3 OCTOBER HOLIDAYS YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF
OCT. 23: NATIONAL CROC DAY
At first, Crocs and their classic clog style were not seeing mainstream and trending success. However, the brand has sold more than 850 million pairs of shoes since 2011! Today, several celebrities
have been spotted wearing Crocs, and other A-listers and musicians even collaborate with the shoe brand. If you own a pair of these rubber shoes, you don’t want to miss celebrating National Croc Day later this month! OCT. 28: MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY The smallest act of kindness can make the biggest difference. We don’t know what others are going through on a daily basis — a lot could be happening behind closed doors. And you don’t have to do anything grand to positively impact someone’s day. Volunteering at your local library, animal shelter, charity, and other organizations in your community is a great way to bring happiness and joy to your own backyard. You could even smile at someone as they walk by, ask how their day is going, or listen to them as they share a story. Take this day to help someone in need or even lend a hand to your relatives and friends. In addition to these holidays, if your name is Elizabeth, Kevin, Isabella, Jonathan, Justin, Lance, Kim, Ryan, Veronica, Riley, Eddie, Trey, Ken, Mark, Jared, Jeff, or Lauren, there’s a day in October just for you! Head to NationalToday.com to see when your day is!
Music Day. If you missed it this year, you can celebrate next year by playing your favorite songs, supporting local artists, and promoting upcoming shows and concerts. You could even pair the holiday with CD Player Day (also Oct. 1) and National iPod Day (Oct. 23) and reflect on how listening to music has evolved.
We hope you have a wonderful October, everyone!
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