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OCTOBER 2017
8650 Candlelight Lane Suite One, Lenexa, Kansas 66215
www.PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com
913-631-2677
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PRANKS AND POPCORN Memories From Halloweens Past
I grew up in Las Vegas in the good old days, when people still knew their neighbors, long before you ordered Halloween costumes on the internet (computers weren’t even around yet). On Halloween, if you were older than 5, your parents sent you and your siblings out to say the magic words, “trick or treat,” and the neighbors miraculously produced candy. We dressed in classic costumes — Superman, princess, pirate — and brought pillowcases to hold our loot. One Halloween, my parents thought it would be a great idea to fill bags with homemade popcorn and give them out to kids instead of candy. Now, it would never happen today, but this was a time when neighbors gave out brownies, cookies, and homemade caramels — treats that they actually made themselves. So, my parents’ idea of popcorn wasn’t out of place. And kids went crazy for it! You could smell the butter wafting down the street. My siblings and I were in another part of the neighborhood, and when we got back to our house, there was a line out the door! At one point, my parents actually ran out of popcorn, but instead of turning off the porch light and calling it a night, my dad went to the store and got more. Our house was the most popular one on the block that night. We moved to California when I was in fifth grade, and as I got older, I enjoyed the trick part of Halloween a lot more. I’ll admit it; I was a bit of a troublemaker and enjoyed a good prank. One Halloween, when I was in high school, I invited some friends over and my dad set up an old-fashioned tepee outside so we could have a sleepover. Well, there was a girl who lived across the street, and being high school boys, we thought it would be fun to use another kind of TP (toilet paper) and decorate her house. Not wanting to use toilet paper from my house and alert my parents to our shenanigans, we boys had a brilliant idea: Go on a “scavenger hunt” in the neighborhood and collect the necessary materials. So, we stopped at neighbors’ houses,
telling them we were on a scavenger hunt and just needed half a roll of toilet paper. Our plan worked; we gathered toilet paper from up and down the street and scattered it all over the girl’s house and yard. All of a sudden, we saw lights and realized a cop had seen us. We ran right in front of him, into my backyard, and straight into the teepee. We zipped it up and pretended to be asleep. Several minutes later, we saw a flashlight shining outside of the tent and heard the zipper come up. We continued to be “sleeping.” “Okay guys, come out here.” Our jig was up. “I’m going to watch you clean up every piece.” Luckily, the police officer was good-natured — and so was our neighbor’s dad. He came out as we were cleaning up the mess and just laughed at us. That was the last time I TP’d a house … and the only time I’ve ever been caught in a prank. Now, I’m a dad, and I get to enjoy the trick-or-treating part with my daughters. I get to be the one with the flashlight and baseball hat walking around the neighborhood with them. Becoming a dentist has also changed how I view Halloween, of course. With the holidays and all the treats this time of year, it could almost be called “broken tooth season.” From this time until the Super Bowl, I see more people than ever coming in with cracks and breaks in their teeth. Hard candies, almond roca, peanut brittle, popcorn — it’s like a parade of horrors as far as your teeth are concerned. I’m not going to tell you to give up all the treats you enjoy; just be aware that they are hard on your teeth. Be careful this time of year.
Now, go get those Halloween costumes and pillowcases ready and have a happy Halloween!
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DO KIDS’ MENUS
Do More Harm Than Good? Kids can be picky eaters. This is a fact recognized by parents and restaurants alike — hence the classic children’s menu featured at many restaurants around the country. These menus are virtually identical: chicken tenders, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, french fries, and so on. Kids’ menus are loaded with fried foods and cheap carbs.
Some parents love the kids’ menu. It makes deciding on food easier. Or, at least, that’s what we tell ourselves. Kids’ menus are populated with foods practically every kid loves. But they have a dark side. Aside from poor nutrition, the kids’ menu changes the family dynamic. In an interview with Eater.com, television chef and host Alton Brown (who you may know from “Good Eats,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen”) said, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever let your kid eat from the children’s menu at restaurants and never, ever, ever make your kid special food to allow them to avoid whatever the family is eating.” Why? During his “Alton Brown Live!” tour, he explained that it comes down to control. By giving kids the option of the children’s menu, you relinquish culinary control to your kids. The next time you go out as a family or you make a delicious meal at home, they are more likely to demand “their” food.
This is a habit a child can quickly adopt — and a habit that’s tough to break. Kids are picky eaters because, as parents and adults, we let them be picky eaters. We perpetuate bad habits. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In a Mom.me article, Dr. Cara Natterson suggests kids eat what the rest of the family eats. For instance, let them indulge in the appetizer menu, then build up to the entrée menu and let them share and sample your food. Encourage culinary exploration. When you encourage your kids to avoid the children’s menu, you give them an opportunity to expand their flavor horizons. More importantly, it helps them make healthier choices that aren’t loaded with fat and empty carbs. Make going out to dinner a learning experience, and before you know it, the phrase “kids’ menu” will have disappeared from your family’s vocabulary.
“I had horrible childhood dental experiences and didn’t go for many years as an adult (dumb,
“His answers were just what I needed. He was very professional and helpful. In fact, I was so impressed that I’m actually considering flying out there to Kansas from California just to have Dr. Bridenstein do the work next time we need dentistry!” –Google user
I know). So, when I had to go face a tooth abscess, I was terrified. I shouldn’t have been, because these guys will pamper you. Dr. Bridenstine has been my dentist for a decade now, and I actually look forward to my teeth cleaning appointments.” –Denise M. “I had a very confusing dental problem that I needed advice on. Somehow, I ended up calling this dental office. Dr. Bridenstein took time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions and help me, even though I was out of state and clearly wasn’t going to be able to use him as the dentist.
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to Your Teeth This Halloween Oil and water. Drinking and driving. Dentists and Halloween. There are some things that do not mix. But, what if we told you that most dentists go trick-or-treating with their kids and even sneak a treat or two from their kids’ buckets? you should partake of sparingly, or just avoid altogether: Lollipops. When it comes to how bad something is for your teeth, frequency and length of exposure is more harmful than quantity. Theoretically, it’s better for your teeth to eat five candy bars than one sucker How to Do the Least Damage are among the worst offenders.
On the other hand, some candies are much easier on your pearly whites: • Dark chocolate • Sugarless gum and other sugarless candies made with stevia or other sugar substitutes • Candy bars with nuts So, enjoy yourself, be deliberate about your candy, and remember that Halloween is game time for your toothbrush.
Dentists know better than anyone else how unrealistic it is to keep people from eating extra sweets during Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. But there’s a smart way to indulge in seasonal treats without seriously damaging your teeth. First and foremost, Halloween night might be the most important night of the year to brush your teeth. That should be obvious. Now that we’ve established that, let’s look at two candies that
(it’s just not as good for your waistline). Lollipops will rest millimeters from your teeth for 10–20 minutes. Gummy worms. Besides being high in sugar, these candies, and really anything sour and gummy, are among the most acidic. Highly acidic foods wear down the enamel of your teeth, regardless of how much sugar is involved. Anything sticky. We’re looking at you, caramel. Anything you can’t eat with braces is probably too sticky for your teeth. Bit O’ Honeys and Tootsie Rolls
HAVE A
WITH CHEESE Refried Bean Poblanos This vegetarian meal comes together in less than 15 minutes. It’s the perfect way to avoid take-out on a busy weeknight.
Laugh
Ingredients
• 4 medium poblano chilies, halved and seeded
• ½ cup picante sauce • 1 cup (4 ounces) pre-shredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican blend • Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans • 1 (8.8-ounce) pouch microwaveable cooked long-grain rice
Directions
1. Place chili halves, cut sides up, on a round microwave-safe plate. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 3 minutes. 2. While chilies cook, combine beans, rice, and picante sauce in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spoon bean mixture
into chili halves. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 2 minutes. 3. Uncover chilies, sprinkle each half with 2 tablespoons cheese, and microwave on high 1–2 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.
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8650 Candlelight Lane Suite One Lenexa, Kansas 66215 913-631-2677 PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com
Inside THIS ISSUE
Memories From Halloweens Past PAGE 1
Do Kids’ Menus Do More Harm Than Good? Patient Testimonials PAGE 2
The Worst Candies for Your Teeth Refried Bean Poblanos With Cheese PAGE 3
Kansas City Local Events PAGE 4
STEP INTO THE PAST AT TOM’S TOWN Fall Happenings in Kansas City
While the kids enjoy their trick-or-treat festivities this October, why not find a sitter and take a night for you and your spouse to enjoy some grown-up fun? Beer festivals abound this time of year, and a visit to Kansas City provides a one-of-a-kind throwback experience at a ’20s-themed stop. Tom’s Town Distillery could be straight out of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Fortunately, we don’t have to get mixed up in Jay Gatsby’s drama to enjoy a refreshing beverage. The distillery gives a nod to its Prohibition roots with liquors like “Corruption Gin” (a gold medal winner) and “Pendergast’s Royal Bourbon.” Tom’s Town gets its name from notorious Prohibition-era political boss Tom Pendergast. While most of the country hid their consumption in underground speakeasies, Pendergast flaunted alcohol sales and turned Kansas City into the “Paris of the Plains” with
his business dealings. Asked about his open rebellion in the face of the law, Pendergast replied, “The people are thirsty.” His sentiment still seems to ring true as Tom’s Town offers tours and tastings of their high- quality spirits Tuesday through Saturday.
Distilled on-site in downtown Kansas City, Tom’s Town’s libations bring us the fun of the Roaring ’20s
while staying within the long arm of the law. Tours give a detailed look at the distillation process and are a deal at only $10 per person. They can be reserved ahead of time for up to 20 people, and it makes a great daytrip when you want to show visitors around Kansas City. Make the journey to the past and learn (and taste) some of Kansas City’s history.
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