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September/October 2026
THE HEIGHTS SMILE Herald
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME Bridging the Generation Gap
coworker will give me a quiet thumbs-up to let me know the next chair is waiting. Most of the time, that’s all I need — I wrap up and move along. But every so often, I’ll wave off the signal instead, because the person I’m with is in the middle of a story that matters to them, and I want to be fully present while they finish it. Some moments are worth being a little late for. We recently had a patient who looked like an everyday grandpa with a calm, soft-spoken demeanor. He told me about his experience in the Vietnam War, and it’s hard to imagine just what he went through. It made me appreciate the story behind his eyes. It’s easy these days to tune out, move on to the next conversation, or pick up the phone when it dings. But life is short, and if you have genuine, good people willing to share, you should embrace it. I know I can learn something from everyone. When I was in junior high, I thought I had it all figured out. I was spending time with a kid my parents didn’t trust, and they saw something in him that I couldn’t yet see myself. My dad stepped in and had a hard conversation with him, and he never bothered me again. Looking back, I’m grateful my parents trusted their instincts over my protests. Sometimes the people who’ve lived a little longer can see around corners the rest of us can’t yet see for ourselves. Even on treatment plans, we look at not just a patient’s dental history, but also their personal history: what they have been through, what matters to them, and what’s worked or not.
We collaborate with specialists, such as periodontists and oral surgeons, to better understand patients and gain unique insights from their diverse life experiences. Some of the specialists I work with are new, some have been there since I started, and some have been there long before me. Different generations experienced dental school differently, with varying training and practice experiences. The old-timers can learn new skills from younger dentists and pass on tried-and-true techniques to create better patient experiences. This knowledge sharing was key when we treated a kid and used a topical prenumbing gel. She excitedly told her mom, “Oh, this is the good stuff.” She had seen a periodontist we work with for periodontal work, and he had used the same thing. He is the one who actually recommended it to us. The whole appointment was so much better because we took his advice, and the young lady had already experienced this. Understanding different generations naturally leads to two other topics I’m very passionate about: how we communicate and how emotional intelligence strengthens our bonds. Over the next couple of editions, we will continue this conversation. Until then, put down your phone and embrace the stories people of all ages want to share with you. -Dr. Jason Schermer
Every day, I get a reminder that no two people walk into our office with the same life story. We work with patients ages 3 to 103, and get to see the world through their eyes and unique experiences. I’ve said many times that the people attached to the teeth are what make dentistry fun and really meaningful. Every generation has stories to share that can teach us about the world and change us. It is a great honor when a patient wants to talk to me about their life, a story I add to a growing, collective library of experiences. When we take the time to listen to people of all ages, we gain a deeper understanding of humankind, pick up a wider range of tools, and grow together. Communication is everything, and if we can’t figure out the communication styles of different age groups, we struggle to see through their lenses to develop the empathy it takes to build strong relationships. All of the conversations I’ve had beside the dental chair have shown me how differently generations interact.
We have a running rule in the office: if a conversation with a patient runs too long, a
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FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR INVISALIGN Start Now, Smile Sooner
As summer comes to an end, that means the beach days are over, and the harsh Cleveland winter is on its way. If you want something to smile about through the cold weather, this season is the perfect time to start working with your dentist to achieve the grin you’ve always wanted. Invisalign is an effective and convenient way to straighten your teeth, and with our Invisalign Day on Nov. 11 , starting the process this fall can have you that much closer to your smile goals come the new year. FALL INTO HEALTHY ROUTINES Fall is when we naturally start moving back into our regular, productive routines. Our summer travel slows, the kids are back in school, and our work schedules return to their set rhythms. This mindset shift helps make starting a new dental care program more successful, since we are already establishing new habits. Starting Invisalign or other dental care treatments now means that when the holidays arrive, you will already be more comfortable with your aligners and can enjoy family gatherings with less stress. What else are we going to do in the cold anyway?
GET A HEAD START ON RESULTS If your goal is to get the smile of your dreams by your big summer vacation next year, we can accomplish a lot from now to then. Patients might start seeing visible changes to their teeth in about three months of wearing Invisalign. By four to six months, dramatic improvements can start to take shape as crowded teeth space out and become better aligned. Even if you will be out of town in the winter, we can continue to monitor your progress through the Invisalign Lens. This device attaches to your smartphone camera and allows you to take photos of your mouth during the process, which are sent directly to us. The timeline for Invisalign progress can vary, but starting now gets you significantly closer to reaching your smile goals. If you’re ready to make the best of this season for your smile, our Invisalign Day on Nov. 11 is a great chance to get going.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful! I highly recommend coming here if you’re in need of a new dentist or have an emergency!” -Lauren “They are friendly, detailed, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Exceptional Smiles. What a great team!” -Anthony — “I had my teeth cleaned here, and an X-ray performed. They were very patient and professional with me and my questions, and I will be back again for my needs.” -Mohammadreza
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(440) 483-1003
SMILE THROUGH THE SWEET SEASON HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY DENTAL MISHAPS
Halloween is the beginning of the sweet season. With bags of candy, Thanksgiving feasts, and holiday desserts, your teeth are up against extra sugary risks. While you don’t have to give up your favorite seasonal treats, there are some simple ways to protect your oral health. If a dental emergency arises this holiday season, knowing the next steps can help ensure you get the care you need. HEALTHY HOLIDAY HABITS One of the best ways to protect your teeth this Halloween and beyond is to stay on top of your regular oral health care and preventive maintenance. Make sure you are still brushing, flossing, and receiving professional cleanings at the dentist. When it comes to your treats, snack in moderation and be mindful of what you are consuming. Don’t eat a whole bag of candy in one night, and keep your goodies in the kitchen so you’ll be less tempted to snack. Drink plenty of water to help wash away sugars and bacteria in your mouth. STICKY SITUATIONS Some of the most common dental problems that arise during the holidays are cracked or chipped teeth, lost fillings, and toothaches. There are some dental emergencies you can wait a few days to seek care for, and others that need more immediate attention. If you are experiencing serious pain, swelling, or bleeding that doesn’t stop, those are signs that you should act sooner rather than later to prevent further issues. SWEET STEPS There are immediate steps you can take at home if you have a holiday- induced dental issue. Make sure the affected area is clean by rinsing it with If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@exceptionalsmiles.com. You may see it in our next issue! Q: Why don’t mummies go on vacation? A: They’re afraid to unwind. LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKES OF THE MONTH Q: Why shouldn’t you gossip in a cornfield? A: Too many ears. Q: Why did the skeleton stay home from the Halloween dance? A: She had no body to go with!
mouthwash or warm water and flossing to remove any lodged food. If you are experiencing pain or a toothache, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. For loose fillings, caps, or crowns, avoid eating on that side of your mouth, and you can temporarily use toothpaste, sugarless gum, or at-home dental cement to help keep it in place. Just don’t do this before you go to bed, as you could swallow a cap in your sleep.
If holiday treats lead to a dental emergency, give us a call so we can help you get the care you need and enjoy the rest of the festivities.
Philly Cheesesteak Cabbage Wraps
Ingredients • 8 large green cabbage leaves • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided • 2 large bell peppers, thinly sliced • 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced • 1 tsp dried oregano
• Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 lb skirt steak, thinly sliced • 6 slices provolone
Directions 1. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch cabbage leaves for 30 seconds, then let dry on paper towel-lined plate. 2. In large skillet over medium, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add bell peppers, onion, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook until tender; transfer to a plate. 4. In the same skillet, heat remaining oil.
5. Arrange steak in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. 6. Cook until seared on one side, about 2 minutes. Flip and repeat. 7. Return onion and peppers to skillet and top with an even layer of provolone, then cover and cook until cheese melts. 8. Scoop steak mixture onto cabbage leaves, roll like a burrito, and serve.
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exceptionalsmiles.com
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
INSIDE 1 The Life Lessons Waiting Across the Dental Chair
2 Get a Head Start on Your Dream Smile
What People Are Saying About Us
3 When Holiday Treats Bite Back
Philly Cheesesteak Cabbage Wraps
4 Moments in Memory Magic
MEMORY MAKERS AND MINI EXPLORERS
WHY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES STICK
If you’re an adult who somehow can’t recall what you had for breakfast this morning but can clearly remember collecting seashells on the beach when you were 7, your seemingly strange memory has more to do with science and biology than you may realize. With the summer travel season coming to a close, here are two fascinating reasons why the moments you (and especially any little ones who were with you) enjoyed over the past few months will likely stay in your mind longer than what you had for lunch last Tuesday.
pleasant the experience, the more likely we are to remember it. Additionally, studies suggest this phenomenon is particularly strong among children ages 3–5, which is another reason family trips can be so memorable for your kids many years later. WE OFTEN FORGET THE FAMILIAR. Can you list every time you ate mashed potatoes in the past year? How about that time you ate an extravagant meal at a restaurant located in that faraway vacation spot you visited five years ago? If you better recall that unbelievable dish far away from home, that’s your brain retaining what it considers important and distinctive information and discarding trivial moments it deems safe to ignore. Events and locations that stay far from everyday routines will form sharper memories than those we experience regularly. As science shows, our most enduring memories are not shaped by the passage of time but by the novelty, emotion, and meaning of the moments we experience.
OUR MINDS CRAVE UNCOMMON ENCOUNTERS. If you or your kids enjoy discovering new
destinations, that adventurous streak may come with unexpected health and wellness benefits. Research shows that engaging in unique experiences away from the mundane boosts the dopamine-related pathways in our brains, which are associated with happiness and a sense of well-being. The more
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(440) 483-1003
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