Check out our May/June newsletter!
REPORT THE WELLNESS
MAY/JUNE 2024
770-965-3048
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www.JonesSmiles.com
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Hello everyone! I’m excited to introduce myself as the newest member of our wonderful team here at Jones & Copeland Smiles. I’ve always known I wanted to be in the medical field in one way or another, but early on, I wasn’t entirely sure how. As a child, I was always the one with a makeshift doctor’s kit, eager to fix every scrape (imaginary or not). This early passion for healing naturally evolved into a desire to bring smiles back to people’s faces. Choosing dentistry over other medical fields was an easy decision. The chance to restore someone’s confidence through their smile and impact their overall health was too compelling to pass up. After all, good oral health plays a crucial role in overall wellness, affecting everything from heart health to mental health. It’s also an incredible way to contribute positively to the community. No matter your age, gender, or career, everyone needs a dentist! My academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Georgia Southern University, where I added a biochemistry concentration and minors in biology and mathematics to spice things up. Of course, these choices weren’t exactly “just for fun” but aimed to strengthen my dental school application, which led me to the Dental College of Georgia in 2016. Graduating amidst the pandemic in 2020, my commencement was anything but traditional — my face was just another in a slideshow of graduates. However, the desire to deepen my knowledge pushed me to pursue an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency with the U.S. Air Force in Louisiana. After a year of intense learning and growth, I served as a captain at the Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. When the time came to renew my contract, I returned to Atlanta to be closer to family. This decision coincided with the birth of my daughter, making it an incredibly pivotal moment both professionally and personally. The opportunity to join this practice WELCOME, DR. CAITLYN LONG! Dr. Long’s Journey From Childhood Dreams to Dental Expertise
seemed like fate. From the moment I learned about the opportunity to my very first day meeting the team, everything felt right. The vibrant, positive atmosphere and the genuine smiles of both staff and patients confirmed I was where I needed to be. Needless to say, my life is quite busy these days, not just with dentistry but also with my family and our menagerie of pets — two dogs and three cats. We’re big on outdoor adventures, especially hiking in Northern Georgia. I will admit that hiking with a 1-year-old and two dogs isn’t necessarily a walk in the park. Luckily, I have my husband, aka my rock, to support me, whether it’s on the trail or just in life. Professionally, I am drawn to all aspects of dentistry, but I have a particular fondness for root canals and crown work. That may sound odd to non-dentists, but it’s true! I’m passionate about plenty of dental procedures since they bring a new opportunity to make a significant difference in someone’s life, and that’s what I love most about this field. As I settle into my new role, I look forward to meeting all our patients and offering not just dental care but a supportive, caring environment!
–Caitlyn Long, DMD
770-965-3048 • 1
FROM GARDEN TO PLATE
UNLOCK THE POWER OF RAW VEGETABLES
Fun and Tasty The natural crisp flavor and crunch of uncooked veggies can be just a fun and tasty way to curb your hunger. Raw carrots, celery, or tomatoes are an easy snack that won’t lead you or your child into a sugar crash within a few hours. They can also brighten up a salad and are great to have on hand to add to smoothies or vegetable juices. Weight Management Raw veggies are naturally low in calories and high in fiber and can contribute to weight loss or better weight management. Along with being packed with fresh nutrients, opting for uncooked vegetables minimizes food preparation techniques that increase the calories in a meal. You want to avoid dousing vegetables with butter, cream, and cheese. Raw veggies also tend to be filling, so they can aid in reducing your snack cravings. Hydration Water is necessary for our bodies to work properly, allowing our organs, as well as key processes like digestion and body temperature maintenance, to function correctly. Many of the most popular and accessible vegetables, like cucumbers, have a high water content. Eating raw veggies like this can give you a needed boost of hydration. So, put away the frying pan, butter, and oil, and incorporate uncooked vegetables into your daily diet. Your body will thank you!
Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, and while baked or stir-fried dishes are delicious, you could be cooking out beneficial vitamins and nutrients. For example, heat degrades the cancer-fighting compound myrosinase found in raw broccoli. Garlic’s main beneficial compound is allicin, which can also be destroyed if you cook it. Thankfully, you can find many ways to use these and other vegetables raw instead. If you want the most potent dose of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals possible from plant-based foods, you must consume them raw. From improvements to your skin to a stronger heart, there’s a bounty of reasons to incorporate uncooked veggies into your meals. Here are three other reasons to enjoy them uncooked.
CONTINUING TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY Enhanced Sterilization Protocols and Controls
Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the office.
Beverages will be served safely only upon request.
There will be additional time between patients for enhanced sterilization.
Curbside check-in from your vehicle is now available.
Please reschedule if you have a fever or a sick family member.
Medical-grade air filtration is used in all operatories.
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Oral Bacteria’s Impact on Digestive Health A GUT FEELING When deciding what to eat, most people consider factors like diet, flavor, and convenience. But an often-overlooked part of that decision is what the trillions of bacteria in our guts would benefit from most. Research shows that oral and gut health are influenced directly by the food we eat, as well as our dental hygiene! “Gut health and mouth health are related,” says author and dentist Dr. Michelle Jorgensen. “You can look at your teeth to gain a lot of knowledge and information about what is going on in your gut. If you have gum disease or a problem with bacteria in your mouth, it’s usually a sign that things are going on with your gut biome as well.” Tooth decay and gum disease increase the risk of harmful oral bacteria, and studies have shown that oral bacteria can translocate to the gut, altering the local microbiota. A particularly nasty oral pathogen called porphyromonas gingivalis is known to damage teeth and supporting tissue and disrupt gut bacteria, causing inflammation throughout the body.
flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist regularly can prevent the build-up of harmful oral bacteria.
Research shows that a diverse diet leads to increased diversity in gut bacteria and that the latter is associated with decreased obesity rates, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases. Studies also show that eating a variety of fiber-rich plants and nutrient-dense foods yields great benefits, whereas consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, or fatty red meats can have the opposite effect. Instead of a beer with dinner, how about an antioxidant green tea? Rather than a thick cut of beef, why not a serving of lean salmon? So, for your next meal, try eating something that both you and your gut enjoy!
Luckily, we can take proactive steps to contribute to our gut health, such as improving dental hygiene. Brushing our teeth twice daily,
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
BRAIN BREAK!
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs steak
(flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
ADVENTURE CAMPING FATHER GEMINI HIKING JUNETEENTH
PARK PICNIC PRIDE
3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
SANDALS SUNBURN SWIMMING
770-965-3048 • 3
2333 SPARTA WAY • BUFORD, GA 30519 www.JonesSmiles.com 770-965-3048
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Meet Dr. Long PAGE 1
Why Raw Vegetables Are Better for Health PAGE 2
How Diet and Dental Hygiene Affect Digestive Health Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce PAGE 3
Explore the Historic Fortifications of the Highlands PAGE 4
Defending the Highlands
From Snowy Villages to Year-Round Holiday Cheer
From the heights of Castle Hill to the idyllic waters of Loch Duich, the historic castles of Scotland stun tourists and history enthusiasts alike. Today, these castles are well-maintained and ready to receive visitors from around the world. If you want to explore the beauty of the highlands from the rocky ramparts of Scotland’s greatest castles, these are three landmarks you need to visit. Edinburgh Castle Located amidst Edinburgh’s Old Town — a World Heritage Site — the daunting and long-standing Edinburgh Castle on Castle Hill is a bulwark that has defended the Scottish capital for nearly a millennium. The military still uses parts of the formidable ramparts, but the rest serves as a can’t-miss tourist destination. The castle also houses the Crown Jewels
of Scotland, known as the Honours, and famed cannons, like Mons Meg, one of the grandest pieces of medieval artillery ever constructed and given to King James II in 1457 A.D. Dunnottar Castle Dunnottar Castle is located on the northeastern coast of Scotland and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the North Sea. There is evidence that ancient Picts lived in the area long before a monastery was consecrated on the grounds in 1276 A.D. In 1392, Sir William Keith seized the holy site’s strategic location by building its first stone fortification, The Keep. An even more unorthodox move came in 1593, when George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal, built The Lion’s Den at Dunnottar Castle to house his pet lion.
Eilean Donan Castle There is a reason Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed castles in the world! Situated on a tiny island at the mouth of Loch Duich, this formidable fortress began as a monastery in 634 A.D. before being converted to a fortress in the 12th century to protect the area from Viking raids. Now administered by the Conchra Charitable Trust, this castle houses rare artifacts, such as a sword rumored to be from the famed battle of Culloden in 1745.
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