Take a look at our newsletter this month.
Edition 17
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Premier Dental Newsletter
We Are Open!
VISIT OUR OFFICE AT: 321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE, BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505
Our Protocols to Limit the Spread of COVID-19 During Reopening
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a very difficult time for all of us. Many of you have been forced to wait for dental care, and we deeply appreciate your understanding while we kept our office closed to help control the spread of the virus. As you probably know, after authorization from state officials, our office reopened for all services and treatment in late May 2020. Your health and well-being continue to be our highest priority. Throughout our closure, we have been working with our team to update safety and disinfection protocols as recommended by the America Dental Association (ADA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to create a system that protects our patients and staff from COVID-19. The measures we will be taking include, but are not limited to, the following:
fever or other symptoms of illness will be asked to reschedule their appointment. 5. We ask that you wear a face mask and continue to practice social distancing measures in common areas of the office, including at the front desk.
6.
The front doors, public areas, and patient bathrooms will be disinfected multiple times a day.
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During Treatment
1.
As always, patient rooms will be thoroughly sterilized before each patient is seated.
OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT COORDINATORS
2. Our treatment rooms have high-volume, medical- grade air filtration and purification units, which are capable of removing particles the size of COVID-19 virus.
MICHELE JOHANNA DENTAL ASSISTANT
3.
Our team will strictly follow guidelines set forth by the CDC and the ADA in regard to personal protective equipment (PPE).
Upon Your Arrival at the Office
1. Patients will be given the option to wait in their cars until their scheduled appointment time. We will call you when we are ready. You also have the option to come directly to the reception room. Reception room capacity is limited to a maximum of three patients.
After Your Appointment
1.
A clear plexiglass panel has been placed at the front desk checkout counter to protect against sneeze droplets from either side. The checkout counter and glass will be wiped frequently with a disinfectant.
CATHLEEN
HYGIENIST
2.
2.
Reception room chairs are spaced to allow for social distancing, and all magazines have been removed.
CHARLENE PRACTICE MANAGER
We are proceeding with an abundance of caution, but we want you to feel as confident as we do that any visit you make to our office will be a safe one. Please notify us of any questions or concerns.
3. In most cases, only patients will be allowed entry into the office. Others accompanying the patient may be asked to wait in their cars whenever possible.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
PETER
4.
Patients will be screened and have their temperatures checked BEFORE entering the treatment area. Any patients showing signs of a
—Hema Gopal, DMD, and Peter Gopal
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM
Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project DIYs From Across the Entertainment Sphere
Sleep Bruxism in Children Causes and Consequences When parents check on their children sleeping in the next room, they want to hear the sounds of easy sleep: slow, rhythmic breathing and the occasional sigh or two. However, sometimes they might hear a soft grinding noise. This is when a child clenches or grinds their teeth together, which is called bruxism. D iurnal B ruxing and S leep B ruxism In children, two types of bruxism occur unconsciously. Diurnal bruxing is when a child grinds their teen throughout the day, often without realizing they’re doing it. This is the easiest to fix because once brought to the child’s attention, measures can be taken to address it. Sleep bruxism (SB) also occurs unconsciously, but because the child is asleep, they cannot consciously stop doing it. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or brand-new to crafting, there are lots of ways to get your kids creating. For example, why buy merchandise from their favorite video game or TV show if they can make it themselves? Check out these resources for free crafting ideas to keep your kids connected to their favorite characters when they’re not looking at a screen. D isney -T hemed C rafts From“Star Wars” to all things Mickey Mouse, entire fictional universes can come to life inside your home and make your family time feel a little more magical. Family.Disney.com offers projects for every difficulty level. Many require glue guns and adult supervision, but that’s what makes them fun and interactive for both you and your children. Who knows, you might just find inspiration for other decorations in your home after a few Disney-inspired crafting sessions. N ickelodeon -T hemed C rafts Whether it’s “Blue’s Clues,”“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” or “SpongeBob SquarePants,” there’s no doubt that your little one is familiar with some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic children’s shows. NickelodeonParents.com offers DIY crafts that’ll encourage your kids to get busy and creative while decorating their play areas and beyond. The site also filters crafts by categories like Big Kids, Educational, and Noggin, so you even have options if you want your child to learn something while they play.
G eeky C rafts If your kids are huge gamers, GeekCrafts.com is a great website for finding DIYs that they can get invested in. Not everything is designed for small kids, but there’s a large archive to choose from, and it’s not difficult at all to recognize what crafts will be best for your family. From Minecraft-themed building blocks to Pokemon felt hats, you’ll find lots of fun projects that’ll get your kids excited and asking, “What’s the next step?”
We hope these free resources help you and your family spend a little more creative time together! Have fun!
T he R eason B ehind S leep B ruxism A recent American Dental Association study has shown that the prevalence of SB in children is often associated with emotional and behavioral problems. The study, published March 26, 2020, included a cross-sectional sample of 556 8-year-olds at 20 public schools in Brazil to try to pinpoint the cause of SB. Parents and caregivers observed their children for symptoms related to SB and also provided information about any emotional or behavioral problems the children might be having. The study found that SB was a common condition in over 30% of the children in the sample, and there was a higher prevalence of it in children with reported social, emotional, and behavioral problems. T he I mpact of S leep B ruxism While SB is considered a normal sporadic condition for children, if it’s regular and intense, it can harm the child. Constant teeth grinding can result in moderately to severely damaged teeth, pain, and restless sleep. What’s more, if the condition isn’t caught early, it can cause severe facial and jaw problems, such a temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). If you notice your child is suffering from SB, it’s time to take action. Talk to your dentist to learn what you can do for your child to help them through this and to preserve their bright, healthy smile.
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
609.298.1124
A Meal for Every Member of the Family Meals on Wheels Goes the Extra Mile Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family —wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.
Breakfast Sausage Kebabs
Ingredients
Directions
•
7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed
1.
Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
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20 oz pineapple chunks, drained
•
10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms
2.
•
2 tbsp butter, melted
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Maple syrup, to taste
E quipment
•
5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Take a Break
Caesar Fireworks Grilling Independence
Larkspur Peaches Picnic Popsicles
Ruby Sparkler
Sunglasses Swimming
DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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Inside
DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
This Issue
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Our New Systems for Reopening
Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project Be Aware of This Common but Harmful Sleep Condition How Meals on Wheels Atlanta Stepped Up for Their Community Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs How to Keep an Eye on Your Oral Health
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Know Your Mouth How to Thoroughly Check Your Oral Health
T ongue Much like the gums, the tongue should always be pink. It should also be covered with small nodules called papillae. Discoloration of the tongue, like white spots, could be a sign of infection or a side effect of diabetes and asthma medications. A red tongue could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an indication that you have a fever. Sores and bumps on your tongue — or on your gums and the insides of your cheeks — may need to be treated with medication if they don’t go away on their own. B reath Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also be an indicator of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy breath should be naturally neutral, meaning there shouldn’t be much scent to it at all. Bacteria breed in the presence of food particles, and it’s these bacteria that cause stinky breath. Eating pungent foods may cause bad breath temporarily, but if it continues even after brushing or using mouthwash, this could be a sign of other issues. A thorough check of your or a family member’s oral health may require a few extra steps, but it’s well worth your time. No one knows your mouth better than you, but if you have an issue, then you should always tell your dentist about it, because no one knows oral hygiene better than them!
While you should never attempt any type of dental procedure or oral cleaning with professional tools at home, it is important to be aware of the overall health of your mouth. Whether you’re between visits to your dentist or haven’t scheduled an appointment in a while, look for the following signs to help you decide if it’s time for a trip to the dentist.
T eeth Strong teeth are the first sign of a healthy mouth. Determine whether or not yours are strong by checking for loose teeth, pain, sensitivity, or discoloration other than the yellowing that occurs with age. It doesn’t mean your teeth are unhealthy if they aren’t perfectly straight, but make sure their alignment isn’t causing issues with the way you bite, chew, or relax your jaw. G ums For the most part, healthy gums are always pink. They should be firm around each tooth and not tender, swollen, red, or white. Where the gums naturally sit on the tooth varies from person to person, but if you start to notice your gums receding more than normal, this could be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could mean you’re not doing either often enough or are being too rough, or it may indicate other health issues.
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
609.298.1124
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