Take a look at our December newsletter!
DECEMBER 2020
SOMETHING to SMILE ABOUT
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A Book Everyone Should Add to Their ‘Must Read’ List
Christmas is an incredibly important time of the year when we cherish our loved ones, give and receive gifts from one another, and celebrate the birth of our Savior. Most of us will probably have at least a few days off from work as well, so it’s also a time to kick back and relax a little before plunging into the new year. Since the weather outside is frightful, what better way to spend that downtime than with a good book? Along with December basically just being a monthlong celebration of Christmas, it’s actually also Read a New Book Month — the perfect time of year to pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for a while now. If you don’t have a book in mind to dig into while relaxing in your huge armchair next to the fireplace, I’ll recommend one of the books I read earlier this year that I think anyone would enjoy, or at least find interesting. It’s called “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High,” by Kerry Patterson, Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan. The title might not make it sound like the most relaxing topic in the world, but it’s definitely informative and worth the read. A friend who works for a global pharmaceutical company recommended it to me. It’s part of his job to teach people how to communicate well with potential buyers about his company’s products, and this book is one of his favorites. That said, however, I think it’s a book that anyone in any profession or stage of life can find valuable. Throughout “Crucial Conversations,” the authors guide readers through how to communicate well with others when a difficult conversation needs to happen. For anyone who finds themselves discussing polarizing topics or conveying a message that others might find difficult to take, this book can be a lifesaver.
A lot of times, when difficult conversations
arise, our survival instincts, otherwise known as “fight or flight,” kick in. So, we either do everything
we can to avoid the topic completely, or we lean full into the subject matter and argue it out without really thinking — leading us to say things we might regret. It turns out that humans are not naturally disposed to discussing sensitive topics rationally and logically. If we’re not careful, our emotions will override logic every time. With “Crucial Conversations,” you can learn how to successfully navigate difficult conversations without avoiding them completely
or getting into a shouting match with someone. It shows us a common ground between fight or flight, and by walking that tightrope, we can gain a better understanding of one another. You can use the skills you learn from this book in a variety of different settings. Maybe you want to articulate to your boss why you think you deserve a raise. Or, maybe you just need some help getting through those crazy, inevitable political discussions with your well-meaning relatives during Christmas dinner. Whatever the case, “Crucial Conversations” is worth the read. Whatever book you choose to get into this Christmas season, I hope it adds to the restfulness of the season. Merry Christmas everyone!
“I think it’s a book that anyone in any profession or stage of life can find valuable.”
–Dr. Russell Powell
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Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog
Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety.
“The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garret’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals. Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure.
Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.”
Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!
Creating the Perfect Snowball Fight
4. Cut between the two knots to snip off a tied-off snowball. Repeat these steps until you have at least a few dozen, but if you’re patient enough to make 100 or more, you’ll have ample supply for a substantial encounter. How to Play There’s really no “right” way to have a snowball fight. It’s often just about who can hit whom the most, but if you want to turn it into a measurable competition, divide your group into two teams and WITH NO SNOW AT ALL
n old-fashioned snowball fight is the epitome of winter activities. But if snowfall is lacking or it’s just too cold to venture outside and hurl freezing balls of ice at each other, don’t let it dampen your spirits. You can create and orchestrate your own indoor, snow-free, and entirely safe snowball fight.
Make Your Snowballs While craft stores sell large white cotton puffs that look like snowballs, they’re too light to get any good velocity behind them. Instead, make your own “snowballs” with just a few materials in four easy steps:
distribute the snowballs evenly between them. Then create boundaries for each team by laying down masking tape across the room. Teams must stay on their side of the line at all times. Set a timer for however long you’d like the fight to go on, and at your signal, teams can start hurling snowballs across the room at one another. When time is up, gather and count the snowballs on each side, and the team with the fewest snowballs is the winner! A crafty indoor snowball fight can be a lot of fun for people of all ages, not just kids. Best of all, the crafting part is something you only have to do once, and then you have a stock of snowballs for every winter to come.
1. You’ll need a pair of scissors, several pairs of cheap white nylon stockings (one pair can make about 10 snowballs) and a bag of polyester fiberfill, like Poly-Fil, or use the stuffing from a few old stuffed animals you no longer want.
2. Stuff a handful of the filling down into the end of one stocking leg and tie a knot, creating a round “snowball.”
3. Make another knot after the one you just
made, leaving a little space between the two knots.
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Thumbsucking And Your Child’s Oral Health
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com 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
When a child is upset, a common reflex is to start sucking their thumb or reach for a pacifier. While this may bring them (and you!) short-term comfort, thumbsucking can also damage their teeth.
• 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
Understand the impact of sucking on a pacifier or thumb.
As infants, thumbsucking isn’t necessarily a problem. However, if a child develops a habit of sucking their thumb or a pacifier when their permanent teeth begin to come in, it can quickly cause issues. Constant sucking on a thumb or pacifier impacts the proper alignment of permanent teeth in the mouth. Additionally, it can impact how the mouth grows and even how the roof of the mouth forms. Other effects include the following:
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! Take a Break
• Poor speech development • Modified swallowing action of the tongue • Altered breathing • Calluses on the fingers or thumb
These problems can vary depending on how intense the habit is. According to the ADA, “If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth.” Put a stop to thumbsucking. Typically, a child stops sucking their thumb or pacifier when their primary teeth come in, usually around 2–4 years of age. If, however, they are an aggressive thumbsucker, it might be harder for them to break the habit. A few methods can help wean your child from their thumbsucking. • Praise and reward your child for not sucking their thumb. • Eliminate any triggers that lead your child to comfort themselves through thumbsucking. • Use mittens to prevent a child from sucking their thumb or fingers in their sleep. • If the child is older, work together to find a method for stopping the habit. • Encourage your dentist to educate your child about the importance of stopping thumbsucking.
Taking an active role to help your child drop these potentially harmful habits allows them to develop healthy oral care that will last a lifetime.
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Inside
This Issue
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A Book Everyone Should Add to Their ‘Must Read’ List Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog Craft a Snow-Free Indoor Snowball Fight Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb Festive Apple Cider Don’t Hide Your Smile This Holiday Season
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Whitening Your Teeth This Holiday Season Don’t Hide Your Smile This Year
December is a time for family and holiday cheer. It’s also the perfect time to curl up under a blanket with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Unfortunately, consuming these tasty beverages can increase the risk of staining your teeth. If you’re worried about your smile this December, here are a few whitening options that can give you the smile you want! Rinses When paired with daily brushing and flossing, using mouthwash is an excellent way to freshen breath and improve dental hygiene. Recently, manufacturers have started to include hydrogen peroxide in some mouthwashes, which has some teeth-whitening benefits. While these rinses can help whiten teeth, they take longer to show results and are not as effective as other methods. Regardless, these rinses can improve your oral health and make your smile a little brighter.
and decreases the chance of tooth decay. Fluoride alone, however, cannot remove stains from a tooth’s surface. That is why using a whitening toothpaste is so beneficial. These toothpastes include chemicals that gently remove surface stains from the teeth, which makes them perfect for daily coffee and tea drinkers! Take note that whitening toothpastes don’t contain bleach and can only whiten the teeth about one shade. Strips and Gels Both whitening strips and gels are great products to use to whiten teeth at home, and they are more powerful than whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes. The application methods and instructions for different brands of gels vary, and users should follow the instructions carefully. The strength of the peroxide used in the product will determine how long you should keep it on your teeth and how often you can apply it. Like gels, whitening strips also contain hydrogen peroxide. People often prefer transparent whitening strips to gels because they are easier to
use. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you choose to use these products.
Professional Whitening The most effective and long-lasting way to achieve a whiter smile is to go to the professionals. Although professional whitening is one of the more expensive methods, it’s also one of the safest. Most treatments take less than an hour, and the results are immediately visible. Additionally, your dentist will know which whitening product or service will be the most effective for you, and they’ll know exactly how to administer it. Over-the-counter products — like mouthwashes, toothpastes, gels, and strips — are great to use for quick fixes, and they can come in handy for family photo shoots this holiday season. However, for the best results, it’s always wise to enlist a professional. To set up an appointment and learn more about whitening products and services, call our office today!
Toothpastes Most toothpastes contain fluoride, a mineral that helps strengthen teeth
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