Take a look at our newsletter this month!
DECEMBER 2019
551 HARRISON BRIDGE RD., SIMPSONVILLE, SC 29680 | 864-336-2965 | WWW.MARSHALL-ORTHODONTICS.COM STRAIGHT TALK
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! GIVE THE GIFT OF A BEAUTIFUL SMILE THIS SEASON
Christmas is fast approaching and, if your family is anything like mine, that probably means a lot of holiday baking, preparing for long-overdue reunions, participating in white elephant exchanges, and scrambling to find the perfect presents to put under the tree. As fun as the holidays can be, all of those to-dos can sometimes make this season feel a bit stressful, too — which is where my staff and I come in. Our team here at Marshall Orthodontics just might be able to help you check a gift off your Christmas list this year. Now, I know what you’re thinking: How do you go Christmas shopping at the orthodontist’s? Kids are always asking Santa for the newest toy or gadget and adults are dreaming of bigger houses
child or loved one the gift of braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic work will also mean giving them the gift of confidence, and a confidence boost can be life-changing. According to Psychology Today, people with healthy self-confidence have less fear and anxiety, more motivation, and more resilience than those struggling with their self-esteem. They also tend to have better relationships and a healthier outlook on life. For teenagers in particular, this helping hand can be invaluable. If you can set your child, family member, or friend up for that kind of success this holiday season, why wouldn’t you? I start
their journey toward a beautiful smile with no obligations!
To learn more about our services, gift options, and payment plans, give Marshall Orthodontics a call today at 864-336-2965. We’d love to set up a free consultation and help you check a gift off your Christmas list!
“Giving your child or loved one the gift of braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic work will also mean giving them the gift of confidence, and a confidence boost can be life-changing.”
and canceled student loans, but how much appeal does a beautiful smile hold as a present?
seeing patients as young as 7 years old, so this Christmas could be the perfect opportunity to put your child on the path to success early in life. Even better, consultations are absolutely free, so you can help your loved one start
Well, straight, white teeth have more power than you might think! Giving your
– Dr. William Marshall
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THE JOY OF A GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVERYTHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY TRADITION
BUILD YOUR OWN! While you don’t have to challenge yourself to beat the Guinness World Record, you can still have fun creating your very own gingerbread village. Starting your gingerbread house from scratch can be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. Give the kids a chance to mix the ingredients, roll out the dough, and set out plenty of candies and frostings to use, and remember to have fun! If you’re looking for unique gingerbread house ideas, take a look at 20 gingerbread house ideas at TasteofHome.com/collection/ gingerbread-houses.
Of the many seasonal traditions that sweep our nation, few are as creative, delicious, and satisfying as building your very own gingerbread house. Whether you’re looking to create a simple table decoration or bake a tasty treat to nibble on, everyone can enjoy this holiday activity! THE ORIGINS OF GINGERBREAD Ginger was first cultivated in ancient China, then traded into medieval Europe. There, Europeans incorporated it into culinary traditions and used it to bake cookies into elaborate shapes and works of art, including figures of animals and people.
historians don’t know an exact date, it’s speculated that it gained popularity around the same time that “Hansel and Gretel,” the popular fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm, was published. THE LARGEST GINGERBREAD HOUSE In 2013, the world record for the largest gingerbread house in the world was broken. The house, topping out at 21 feet and covering 2,520 square feet, was built by Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas, to raise money for a local Level II trauma center. To construct the house, builders created a recipe that required 1,800 pounds of butter, 2,925 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, 1,080 ounces of ground ginger, and a few additional ingredients.
The gingerbread house first appeared in the early 19th century in Germany. Although
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CELESTE OUR INVISALIGN AMBASSADOR AND CALENDAR GURU
Although technically her title is scheduling coordinator, Celeste does more to keep our office running than simply scheduling appointments. She also acts as our liaison to general practice dentists, tracks incoming cash flow, manages insurance inquiries (a brand-new responsibility!), and answers patient questions about braces and Invisalign. “I actually just started Invisalign myself a few months ago, so I’m basically the Invisalign ambassador! I can give patients the ins and outs and tell them the truth,” she says. Celeste came to Marshall Orthodontics after three years of administering cardiac ultrasounds, but she says working in dentistry has been her dream from the start. “I’ve always wanted to be in the dental realm. I actually studied predentistry after high school for a year and a half before I switched majors. I always wanted to be the in the dental field, and putting out that energy into the universe got me to where I wanted to be,” she says.
When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Celeste says, “Talking to patients and learning about their lives and what they’re involved in. That way, next time they come in, I can say, ‘Did you enjoy that trip you were talking about?’ or ‘How is that new baby doing?’ or ‘How are things going with your braces?’ I like engaging with my patients for sure.” On top of offering that individual attention, Celeste keeps our patients and employees cheerful by making sure our coffee and hot chocolate machines are stocked. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s just one of the many ways she goes above and beyond to keep people comfortable. When she isn’t in the office, Celeste likes to hike, camp, cook, and travel with her financé, Chris. The pair have known each other since fifth grade and are planning to get married next September on the 10th anniversary of their first date. In the meantime, they’re in the process of adopting a sweet pit bull puppy to start their family. Next time you see her in the office, don’t forget to ask to see a photo.
From all of us on the Marshall Orthodontics team, thank you, Celeste, for all you do!
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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY 2 FRONT TEETH (AND SOMETHING TO CLEAN THEM WITH!)
Looking around at trays of Christmas cookies, piles of presents, and trees loaded with lights and sparkling ornaments makes one thing clear: The holiday season is all about indulgence. It’s also all about sugar — a staple holiday ingredient that can wreak havoc on your teeth. So, once you’ve checked friends and family off of your Christmas list, why not treat yourself (and your teeth) this month, too? Not only would the gifts listed below make great presents for a health- conscious parent or spouse, they’d also be a perfect way to show yourself a little love this Christmas! THE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH The traditional toothbrush is a beautiful tool, but electric toothbrushes have gained well-deserved traction in recent years. The American Dental Association says both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque, but electric brushes can make brushing easier for people with mobility problems, and their built-in timers keep kids on track while they brush. If you’d like to give one a try, we have a great opportunity for you! To score a FREE Sonicare electric toothbrush for yourself and a friend, all you have to do is stop by our office, ask for one of our promotional cards, write your name on it, and give it to your friend. If they come in for a free consultation and begin orthodontic treatment with us (with the card, of course) you’ll both win free Sonicare toothbrushes! WACKY FLAVORED TOOTHPASTE AND FLOSS Did you know toothpaste and floss come in more flavors than just original, mint, and cinnamon? These days, you can find tubes of toothpaste in cupcake, Coca-Cola, vanilla chai, coconut lime, and even bacon flavors. Cocofloss also sells all kinds of fruity flosses, like summer watermelon and Cara Cara orange. If you’re not ready to branch out yourself, why not stock up on the funkiest flavors you can find for the next white elephant gift exchange? THE WATERPIK WATER FLOSSER Attempting to floss around orthodontic appliances can be a frustrating experience — which is what makes the Waterpik Water Flosser, a machine that helps people floss with pressurized water, such an attractive investment! In 2017, the Waterpik became the first powered interdental cleaner to earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and it’s proven to reduce plaque and gingivitis in hard-to-brush areas. In short, it’s a win-win for any annoyed flosser. If you’re planning to shake up your brushing and flossing routine this holiday season, it never hurts to run your plan by your dentist and orthodontist, just in case. Call Marshall Orthodontics at 864-336-2965 with any oral-hygiene questions you have — we’re always happy to help!
HOLIDAY CARD CAMPAIGN
Did you participate in our Holiday Card Campaign? We’re drawing the names of TWO $250 Visa gift card winners on Monday, Dec. 16! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the announcement, and don’t forget to check your phone and email on the big day!
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551 HARRISON BRIDGE RD., SIMPSONVILLE, SC 29680
GIVE THE GIFT OF A BEAUTIFUL SMILE THIS ISSUE INSIDE
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BUILDING YOUR OWN GINGERBREAD HOUSE
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CELESTE
HOLIDAY CARD CAMPAIGN
3 CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOUR TEETH WILL APPRECIATE
THE HISTORY BEHIND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT WHY DO WE HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS?
The first string of twinkling lights illuminating your neighbor’s house is always a telltale sign of the upcoming seasonal festivities. Christmas lights are a holiday staple, but have you ever wondered where this beloved tradition started? The tradition of hanging lights on the tree originally started with candles. Because this posed an immense fire hazard, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a close friend of Thomas Edison and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, vowed to find a better
Johnson continued this tradition, increasing the number of lights each year and eventually putting them up outside. But because electricity was still a new concept, many years passed before the fad took off for regular Americans. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, which spurred the idea of selling stringed lights commercially. By the 1930s, families everywhere were buying boxes of bulbs by the dozen. Today, an estimated 150 million Christmas lights are sold in America each year, decorating 80 million homes and consuming 6% of the nation’s electricity every December. Whether you’ll be putting up your own lights or appreciating the most impressive light displays in your neighborhood or town, let the glow fill you with joy this season. Just don’t leave them up until February!
way to decorate Christmas trees with light. In December 1882, three years after Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in November 1879, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue lightbulbs together and wound them around a Christmas tree in his parlor window. A passing reporter saw the spectacle and declared in the Detroit Post and Tribune, “One can hardly imagine anything prettier.”
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