Elite Smiles June 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

M O N T H L Y

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J UNE 2018

A B IGGER AND BR IGHTER Future There are two things on my mind this June: my book and my business. Both are endeavors that I believe will help all of my patients and anyone else who needs dental care.

While working on the book, I had to be sure to take

care of my family and not neglect my career. I have two kids, a 4-year-old named Charlie and a 2-year-old named Katie, and I had to be sure to spend

By the time this newsletter is released, my book titled “Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You” will have been out for a little over a month. I’m thrilled to finally publish the book I’ve been working on for the past year. The idea for the book started a number of years ago, but we began writing it back in March of last year. Getting my book up and running throughout this past year was a long process of creation and production. Since then, I’ve been trying to draw as much attention to it as I can. While promoting the book, I’ve been on ABC and CBS to discuss what it’s about and why it’s important. The idea behind the book is to educate people on the importance of dental health. There are a lot of people out there who don’t correlate heart disease with gingivitis, but there are relations between the two. I want people to understand the connections between mouth and full-body health. Writing the book was a chance for me to delve deeply into the subject and get the idea into circulation. “Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You” is broken into three parts, and I go into detail about what can be done to fix health issues and why we are the people who address them. “Dentistry as Health Care,” “Dentistry and Confidence,” and “Delivering Quality Dental Care” are the broad subjects the book focuses on. One of the hurdles I had to jump over to get the book out was my constant struggle with time. I had to be patient throughout the composition process while balancing the other aspects of my life.

time with them and be a good husband, on top of running a business.

With the final product now on the move, I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s a rewarding feeling to see the final product of your hard work get out into the world. I hope that I’m able to help others learn more about the subject. While the book is a huge step forward, we at Elite Smiles are continuing down our own path with large strides. We’re currently building a new facility. This is not only a great step forward for us, but it will also be more convenient for our patients.

“I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MOUTH AND FULL-BODY HEALTH.”

The completion of the building won’t be immediate, but we’re all excited for when it’ll be finished. There are still a few hoops we have to jump through, but we’re getting closer and closer to our goal. Along with regular cleanings, our new building will have the space, technology, and personnel to include all kinds of in-house dentistry. Elite Smiles will now be able to provide oral surgeries in the same building as someone getting braces.

With both of these things in motion, I hope that we can bring the best, not only to our community here in St. Augustine, Florida, but to everyone.

–Steven Freeman

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DENTAL IMPLANTS The Affordable, Smart Choice

DEDUCT ING Adven ture WAYS TO WRITE OFF YOUR FUN

Whether you are preparing for or are currently in retirement, managing your spending can be difficult. On one hand, you’re supposed to save money to ensure that your nest egg lasts. At the same time, you should make the most of life by enjoying the activities and adventures you never had time for in your working years. For those willing to put in the effort, there are ways of making your dreams more affordable. Boats and RVs Whether you love taking a trip out on the water or into the wilderness, doing it in comfort is always a plus. While boats and RVs can have a high sticker price, there are tax deductions you can use to make the dream of ownership a reality. If the vehicle is equipped with sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities, a boat or RV qualifies as a second home. You’ll be able to deduct the interest you pay on your loan, saving you plenty of money. Travel Seeing the world is a great way to enrich your life, but it can be tough on your bank account. However, under certain conditions, Uncle Sam may be willing to lend a hand. Most people think the only way to deduct travel expenses is by planning a business trip, but this is not the case. Write-offs also exist to help people who are traveling for knowledge or to do good in the world. If you write for a blog, need to do some regional research for a novel, or want to volunteer in a disadvantaged part of the world, your expenses incurred for these purposes can be deducted. Education For lifelong learners, continuing your education can be just as much of an adventure as sailing the open seas. Unfortunately, feeding your brain can cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, the IRS offers a Lifetime Learning tax credit, which can take off as much as 20 percent of the first $10,000 you spend for education after high school. There is no age limit for this credit, so go learn the subjects you’ve always been passionate about!

ne of the best services we offer at Elite Smiles is top-notch and inexpensive dental implants. Not only do we offer excellent service and implants that will last, but we also offer them at $1,899 — the lowest combined price in Florida.

Missing one or more teeth can make you feel embarrassed or ashamed when you smile or talk. More importantly though, it can affect your dental health. When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth may start to move to try and replace the empty space. Plus, chewing becomes very difficult, and you’re put at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease. This is where a dental implant can have a positive impact on your dental health. Unlike dentures, dental implants feel natural. An implant is essentially an artificial root made out of medical-grade titanium. There are three parts that make up an implant: an artificial-tooth root, an abutment, and a dental crown. When you get a dental implant, the artificial root goes directly into the tissue, taking up minimal space, and remains a sturdy fixture in your mouth. During the healing process, your bone will naturally heal around the implant. When this happens, the artificial root is attached to the abutment or post which is used to support a dental crown. A crown is then attached to the post, and your implant feels and looks just like a natural tooth. In this way, getting a dental implant can help boost your self-confidence. When you’re missing a tooth, it can look unattractive and leads to more problems down the road, namely with your bite. The tooth in front or behind a gap can tip or bow into the space, and the tooth above or below the space can drift down or up. This will cause you to bite on your teeth differently, causing pain or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Dental implants in Saint Augustine, Florida, have been around for years. However, at Elite Smiles, we only use the latest, most innovative technology to give you the best experience in the whole state of Florida. If you’re ready to fill in the gaps in your teeth or replace your dentures, call our dental office today at 904.201.3806 to schedule an appointment with our dentists.

WIN A WEEKEND IN JEKYLL ISLAND Win a $500 gift card to the Jekyll Island Club Resort and a $100 gift card to purchase a boat tour of your choice!

WAYS TO ENTER

• •

Refer a friend — three entries

Review us on Google — two entries

FLY AWAY AND PLAY YEAR-END VACATION GIVAWAY Refer 3 friends or family members and be entered into our CONTEST ENDS JUNE 30, 2018 • “Check-In” or tag us in a post on Facebook — two entries

Your choice of Hawaii or Alaska

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I M P R O V E C O G N I T I V E F U N C T I O N I N M I N U T E S

How Meditation Helps You Maintain Brain Health

THE HIPPOCAMPUS

Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age. Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long- time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. Take a Break THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus.

THE AMYGDALA

Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Answer on page 4

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

I N S I D E

A Bigger and Brighter Future

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Should You Buy That Boat?

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Why Dental Implants?

How Meditation Can Help the Aging Brain

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Take a Break

St. Augustine Summer Local Events

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Local Events S T . A U G U S T I N E S U M M E R June brings heat waves into Florida’s already uncomfortable humidity. The warmth causes a decrease in activity during the summer months, as most Floridians choose to stay home. If you’re sick of being cooped up inside and want to get out, here are a few activities happening throughout June. Historic Weapons Demonstration at Castillo This event is sure to be a great way to start off June with a bang. National Park Service volunteers and personnel will demonstrate the fire power of weapons used back in the 1740s. The weapons were used by Spanish colonial soldiers stationed in St. Augustine in the 18th century. If you want a break from the sun, look no further; the stalls are conveniently located in the shade of beautiful oak trees. The market is free and open to the public every Saturday in June from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s a lively way to spend a Saturday morning, enjoying the company of people and music. Uptown Saturday Night Another great way to beat the heat is to attend this festive evening event. Uptown Saturday Night is a chance for anyone in the St. Augustine area to relish in locally owned shops all down San Marco Avenue. Art galleries, antique stores, and other unique shops will be open for browsing. Uptown Saturday Night takes place on the last Saturday of every month and lasts until the end of the year. over 100 vendors who sell fresh vegetables, flowers, baked goods, handmade arts and crafts, and play live music.

Demonstrations start at 10:30 a.m. and happen every hour until 3:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout June. To experience and watch weapons used centuries ago, there’s a $10 fee to get in, but anyone under the age of 15 can get in for free. Along with the demonstration, you can enjoy all the historical riches that the national park has to offer. St. Augustine Amphitheater Farmers Market A farmers market is a great place to purchase all sorts of fresh goods. The market includes

Enjoy yourself throughout the whole summer — don’t let the heat keep you locked away!

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