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IT STARTS WITH YOUR SMILE NUTRITION AS A BUILDING BLOCK FOR ORAL HEALTH
to erode your enamel, resulting in cavities and tooth decay. In addition, sugary, processed foods don’t have a lot of nutritional value, meaning your oral health and overall health suffer. But don’t worry; you have the power to choose what you put in your mouth. By choosing water over soda, carrots over cookies, and making better choices about what you eat, you can help your smile instead of harming it.
As I shared in my previous newsletter, Amy and I have been really focused on our health this year, with nutrition at the top of our minds — and shopping lists. This month, however, I want to focus on someone else's health: yours. Most of you know that a balanced diet is part of a healthy life. But what you eat and drink also plays a big part in your oral health. A big part of what my team and I do is straighten smiles, but we’re also here to help you maintain and improve the health of your teeth and gums. Nutrition is an important building block of oral health, and you need to get the right nutrients to support it. It starts before we’re even born. Foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, like calcium and phosphorous, are passed from the mother to the baby, helping their teeth develop and mineralize. That process continues over the course of a person’s life, from infancy to teen years. Your oral tissues are constantly recycling, and a nutritious diet is one of the best, and easiest, ways to support this process and promote a healthy smile. The good news is that your diet can benefit your oral health. Unfortunately, it can also hurt it. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to dental disease and other issues. Many of the harmful bacteria that are naturally found in the body thrive on sugar, so you can imagine what happens when you eat a lot of it! These bacteria thrive, causing them
If you want to maintain a healthy smile, your diet should include these three characteristics:
• Variety: Get your nutrients from a variety of whole foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and dairy products. • Balance: Find a balance between each of the food groups, emphasizing, fresh, whole foods. • Moderation: Stick to appropriate serving sizes and meals versus continuous snacking. Amy and I have found success in planning what we’re going to eat ahead of time. It helps us avoid the temptation to grab whatever’s at hand. I recommend doing some meal planning over the weekend to make it easier to choose the nutritious options. Try to make a list of meals you’d like to make, then research the ingredients, and make a trip to the grocery store. Online recipes and cookbooks are great places to look for inspiration. If you have chicken and rice, overnight oats, and salads ready to go for the week, it’s going to be easier to ignore the less nutritious options. And I promise you’ll feel better, and more energetic, after eating a nutritious meal. I bet you’ll find yourself smiling more, too! April 7 is World Health Day, a global event dedicated to access to health care. I encourage you to start with your nutrition to see improvements in your health, smile, and beyond. If you need any pointers, I’m here for you. —Dr. Demas
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IN A PLANT’S DEFENSE Many trees and plants are beginning to bloom, which means that they will soon have to ward off various predators. Most animals have a fight-or-flight response when faced with a dangerous situation, but plants can’t run or physically fight the dangers they face on a daily basis. However, what they lack in claws and teeth, they make up for in chemical and mechanical defenses.
THE INTERESTING METHODS THEY USE TO FIGHT PREDATORS
defenses are not as obvious. Trees protect themselves with thick, hard-to-eat bark, which is comprised of a natural polymer called lignin. Leaves are often coated in a natural wax, which deters most insects and pathogens. Some leaves have trichomes, which are sharp, hair-like features that stab or prick insects’ legs as they try to land or walk on its surface. Trichomes often also release toxins that can cause irritation and inflammation. Some plants contain microscopic, sharp crystals that puncture and inject chemicals into an animal’s mouth once they’ve bitten it. INTERNAL DEFENSES When a plant’s external defense fails, its internal protection takes charge. A plant lacks an immune system; instead, each cell is programmed to defend against any foreign object that comes in contact with it. If an insect or disease attacks the plant, the plant will thicken its cell walls with waxy plating, close its leaf pores, and kill off sections of itself to preserve the whole plant. Plants also have unique chemicals that are deadly to insects and microbes, some of which we use today as seasonings, medicine, or drugs. In addition to toxic compounds, plants can release hormones into the air that warn neighboring plants or even attract other insects to kill would-be attackers.
EXTERNAL DEFENSES Many of us are familiar with thorns, prickles, and spines, which are all examples of a plant’s physical defense. But many other plants’ physical
If you’ve decided to plant a garden this year, take some time to find out which natural defenses your plants wield.
WHY INVISALIGN IS A SIMPLE, NONINVASIVE SOLUTION Teeth straightening options have improved immensely since the ancient Egyptians first experimented with cat-gut wire. Today, teeth straightening is easier than ever, thanks in part to clear liners that nudge your teeth into the proper place. Read on to find out why Invisalign is the user-friendly, less invasive teeth-straightening option for teens and adults. THE SKINNY ON STRAIGHTENING
Is There Something Different About You? It’s hard to be subtle with a mouth full of metal, and some people shy away from smiling because of the pain or lack of confidence that comes with braces. Instead, Invisalign is designed to cling to your teeth with a series of removable, clear plastic liners, which are similar to retainers. Because of the transparency, most people will hardly notice you’re wearing liners, and Invisalign does its work in the background, leaving you feeling confident and inconspicuous. Apples, Marshmallows, and Popcorn —Oh My! As orthodontic experts, we will never condone sticky sugars that could damage your teeth. But when you have braces, your favorite treats are (literally) off the table. Sticky substances, and even particles from crunchy foods, can get lodged into braces, where even proper cleaning and flossing can struggle to remove all the pieces. With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about overhauling your diet, because you can simply remove your liners while
you eat. Do a quick brush and rinse after a scrumptious slice of s’mores pie, pop that liner back in, and sit back while Invisalign works its magic.
Well, That Was Easy. Enjoying a variety of foods and subtly straightening the teeth still may not be enough for people to commit to Invisalign, but these aren’t even the biggest perks. Because Invisalign is a simple, noninvasive plastic liner, the chance of injury, emergency, or broken pieces — like a wire or brace — is very low. Additionally, patients usually complete their treatment in a shorter amount of time than they would with braces. It’s easy, convenient, and fast. How many other treatments can claim that?
At TeamDemas Orthodontics, our goal is to give you a smile you can be proud of and a treatment plan that fits into your life. Learnmore by calling 860-276-0333.
THE RESULTS ARE IN ...
HERE’S WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY!
We recently got the results back from the patient survey we asked you to be a part of and we wanted to share them with you. We pride ourselves on providing excellent orthodontic care through one dentist, one office, and one team. But to keep providing you with services that fit your needs, it’s important that we ask for your feedback every now and then to see how we’re doing. First of all, we were overwhelmed by the kind words you shared about Dr. Demas and the rest of our awesome team. Here are a few of the highlights that made us smile. • You gave us above average scores on 18 out of 18 patient satisfaction items! Thank you! • 97 percent of you said you’re completely satisfied with the quality of care at Team Demas. • Over 90 percent of you are completely satisfied with our services, including our facility and equipment, explanation of treatment and fees, and the overall atmosphere. • 99 percent of you said you were greeted when you walked into our office (Yay! This is what we strive for!), and 100 percent said we promptly returned your phone calls. • 100 percent of you said our staff seems to care about your child as an individual. (Yes! We really do!)
• 98 percent of you said you’re highly likely to refer others to TeamDemas. • Many of you mentioned that you like the caring and friendly staff here and being treated like a friend.
Wow! Your kind words and honest feedback seriously made our day!
We listened to your feedback and are currently revising our schedule. Your feedback on these surveys impacts what we offer, and it’s so cool to understand your perspective! It’s also important to know where we have room to grow. Based on your suggestions, we’ve added appointments on Saturdays to offer you more flexibility to come see us at times that fit your schedule. We’ll continue to look for areas that we can improve to better address your needs. Thank you to everyone who participated! You’ve shown us what’s working and what we can do better. Please continue to tell us what we’re doing well and where we can improve. We love hearing from you!
OPENING DAY HAMBURGERS
A N D Y O U C O U L D W I N REFER A FRIEND A VACATION GIVEAWAY TO
Inspired by Saveur Magazine
INGREDIENTS
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4 small leaves iceberg lettuce 4 1/4-inch thick yellow onion slices 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste Condiments of your choice
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1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean 4 soft, white hamburger buns, split 4 1/4-inch thick tomato slices
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12–16 pickle rounds
DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Sear patties on each side, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium- low and continue cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.
Si mply r efe r a p a t ie nt to our o ffice to e nt e r to WIN! The mor e r efe rr a ls you s e n d t he mor e cha n ce s to WIN!
(Contest runs June 21, 2018 thru June 21, 2019)
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3 TRAVEL MYTHS YOU SHOULD STOP BELIEVING
MYTH: JET LAG IS CAUSED BY A LACK OF SLEEP. FACT: While jet lag can make you sleepy, it’s actually caused by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. Our bodies are cyclical, and the circadian rhythm is set by both a natural need for your body to reset and outside forces, such as your job, time zone, and diet. Travel can disrupt this rhythm and routine, which leaves you lethargic during and after your vacation. Sticking to water before and during your flights and staying physically active during and after traveling are great ways to fight jet lag and get back into your normal rhythm. Don’t let these travel myths keep you from seeing the world. Set a budget, go with your gut, and prepare for a shifting rhythm to make your next adventure the best one yet.
Traveling has many social and educational benefits, but some people have hesitations that prevent them from jetting off on new adventures. Below are three debunked travel myths to give you some ease as you plan your summer vacation! MYTH: VACATIONS ARE EXPENSIVE. FACT: You can travel anywhere on a budget. Tracking flights to score the best deal, setting spending limits, and packing meals are a few ways to save money. Hostels and Airbnbs are great alternatives to spendy hotel stays. Additionally, you don’t have to cross the country to have a great trip. Every state has museums, unique roadside attractions, historical sites, and a booming nightlife. When you know your price limits and what you want to do, traveling can be a fun and inexpensive venture. MYTH: TRAVELING IS DANGEROUS. FACT: If you’re smart about what you do and where you go, traveling can be safe. Go with your gut and only stay somewhere that is approved by travel guides. Visit places you feel comfortable in, and do your research by reading travel blogs, websites, and books to find places that have been vetted by others. Traveling in groups can also be a great way to lower your risk of danger. As long as you plan ahead, you will have a safe trip.
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860-276-0333 | www.teamdemas.com
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