Check out our April newsletter!
REPORT THE WELLNESS
April 2020
770-965-3048
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www.JonesSmiles.com
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Commitment During Uncertainty
Dear Patients,
We have also implemented additional cleaning protocols for common areas and exam rooms that will continue to occur.
In our last newsletter, Dr. Copeland discussed our commitment to continuity and care. With COVID-19 (the coronavirus) rapidly impacting so many aspects of our daily lives, and in the face of so much change and uncertainty, Dr. Copeland, our team, and I wanted to make another kind of commitment: to be here for you if you need us. During this time, we are continuing to see all existing, as well as new, patients for urgently needed care/concerns and dental emergencies. We do ask for your understanding as we have had to reschedule all preventive appointments. We will be making extra appointments available for these procedures as soon as it is safer to do so. We have also added additional precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus. These include screening all patients and team members for symptoms, exposure, recent travel, and other risks immediately upon arrival and rescheduling as necessary.
Should you need to come in for an issue, you may notice that we’ve temporarily removed nonessential items (magazines, toys, books, etc.) from waiting areas and exam rooms. As an additional level of customer service and to promote social distancing, we have created a remote check-in option, which allows you to wait comfortably in your car while we are setting up treatment areas for you. We have also included a guide for dental emergencies and urgent care (on Page 2) you can save or pass along to a friend or family member during this time. This should provide useful information, and please know we are here for you if you need us. We wish you and all your loved ones health and wellness during this time and always! Dr. Jones, Dr. Copeland, and Team
770-965-3048 • 1
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DFDFS
YOUR GUIDE FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES DURING COVID-19
This guide will help you handle nearly all dental emergencies on your own from home. Stick this guide on your fridge — you never know when you might need it!
No Urgent Treatment if …
Try These Tips First at Home …
Call Us Promptly if …
Lightly pack a small piece of sugarless gum into the opening to buy you some time.
The broken piece is more than 1/4 of the entire tooth or if it’s cutting your tongue or cheek, mobile, or painful. (See PAIN section)
The broken piece is not very large and not painful.
BROKEN TEETH
Apply a dab of Sensodyne toothpaste to the area a few times a day. Take 400 mg of ibuprofen (Advil) every 4 hours, or 1,000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours.
There is severe pain that appears out of nowhere, throbs on its own, or keeps you up at night.
There is mild sensitivity to things like cold or sweets.
PAIN
The swelling is visible on the outside of your face, has pus, or is not getting better within 3 or 4 days. (Go to the ER right away if you are having trouble breathing.)
Apply an ice pack in 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
The swelling is smaller than a pea.
SWELLING
Bite firmly on some gauze or a clean, wet washcloth or a moistened tea bag. Rinse lightly with Listerine 3 times a day. Take pain medication as needed (see PAIN section). It will likely feel much better in 3 to 4 days.
There is bleeding when you brush and floss, but it does not last for more than 30 minutes.
The bleeding lasts longer than 30 minutes or it’s pulsing out or your mouth is filling up with blood.
BLEEDING
The tooth has moderate soreness or wiggles about 1–2 mm.
The tooth is severely broken or painful or it wiggles more than 2 mm or falls out completely.
TRAUMA
Important!
• If your child has a dental emergency and you are not sure what to do, then call right away!
• Please do not go to your hospital emergency room for a dental emergency (unless you are having difficulty breathing). The hospitals need to reserve space, labor, and supplies to deal with COVID-19.
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The Truth About ‘Natural’ Dental Products DOES THE FDA REGULATE WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOTHPASTE?
If you’ve recently bought a new tube of toothpaste, roll of floss, or box of teeth-whitening strips, then you’ve probably noticed that the terms “natural” and “organic” are all the rage right now in the dental aisle. These products claim to be better for you and better for the environment by using whole, often plant-based, ingredients instead of synthetics and fluoride. But do the words “natural” and “organic” emblazoned on those boxes really mean anything? Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the answer is no. While the organic food industry operates under strict guidelines, the cosmetics industry — a category that includes makeup, shampoo, and toothpaste without fluoride, according to the FDA — has no such regulations or standardized definitions for the terms they can use. Even more alarming, cosmetic products aren’t even subject to federal oversight to ensure their safety. As the FDA puts it, “Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives. Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing.” One thing to note is that toothpaste with fluoride
is considered a “cosmetic/ drug,” not purely a cosmetic, so it’s subject to more oversight than fluoride-free options when it comes to safety.
With all of this in mind, do not take the terms “natural” and “organic” on your dental products at face value. When you’re picking out a new toothpaste, always read the ingredient list. If a toothpaste really is made with natural ingredients, then it won’t list chemicals like parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, artificial colors, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, look for recognizable ingredients like charcoal, aloe vera, green tea, chamomile, and coconut oil. You can also do a quick Google search for the company to read more about their ethics and scope out product reviews. Even more importantly, if you really have your heart set on a natural, fluoride-free toothpaste and want to make sure it will be safe and effective, then take it with you the next time you go to the dentist. They’ll be able to tell you whether you’ve made a good choice, and they’ll recommend what to look for the next time you shop!
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
BRAIN BREAK!
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
BEET, GOAT CHEESE, AND ARUGULA SALAD
This crowd-pleasing dish is sure to be the biggest hit at your next gathering. And it’s good for you, too!
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar • 3 tbsp shallots, thinly sliced • 1 tbsp honey • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste • 6 beets, peeled and quartered • 6 cups fresh arugula
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries • 1/2 avocado, cubed • 2 oz crumbled goat cheese
Directions
1. Heat oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 2. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, shallots, and honey. 3. Gradually whisk olive oil into the mixture and season with salt and pepper. 4. In a small bowl, toss the beets in dressing until they are coated. 5. Place coated beets on baking sheet and roast them for 12 minutes. Set the beets aside and allow them to cool. 6. In a large bowl, toss arugula, walnuts, and berries with the remaining vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Top salad with beets, avocado, and goat cheese.
BUNNY DAISY EARTH EASTER
EGGS FOOL GARDEN PASSOVER
POLLEN PRANK RAMADAN TAXES
770-965-3048 • 3
7330 Spout Springs Road, Suite C15 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 www.JonesSmiles.com 770-965-3048
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Staying Committed During Uncertain Times PAGE 1 Guide for Dental Emergencies During COVID-19 PAGE 2 The Truth About ‘Natural’ Dental Products Beet, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad PAGE 3 You’re Not on House Arrest PAGE 4
Many people think that to observe social distancing they have to stay inside, but that’s not true. People can leave their homes; they just have to be cautious when they do. In fact, getting outside to get some fresh air and stretch is good for your health. Dr. Roy Buchinsky, the director of wellness at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, says that getting outside for a few minutes “increases serotonin and dopamine and makes you feel good.” During this time when anxiety is running high, taking a few minutes to step outside is incredibly beneficial for you and your family. Here are a few ways to get outside while practicing social distancing. Stay Home for Backyard Fun Your backyard is a great place to get outside without coming in close contact with other people. Put up the family tent for a staycation and enjoy a few camping activities, like roasting marshmallows for s’mores, telling stories, and watching the stars. For a fun daytime activity, plant a vegetable or flower garden. If you don’t have a backyard, take yourself or your pet for a walk around the block, just be sure to maintain the proper distance — 6 feet — from anyone who has the same idea. Social Distancing Doesn’t Mean You’re Trapped HOW TO GET OUTSIDE SAFELY
Head to a Park If you live near a park that is spacious enough to allow social distancing, get outside and exercise. Taking a walk and riding your bike by yourself or with others in your immediate household are great options, but you should not travel in groups of more than 10. Also, keep in mind that many states have closed playgrounds in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition to your local parks, the National State Park Service announced in mid-March that it is suspending all entrance fees until further notice. Park officials hope to make it easier for the public to enjoy the parks that remain open, which are large enough for people to explore while maintaining social distancing. However, many parks have closed in response to the pandemic. To check for closures and to get more information, head to NPS.gov. Keep in mind that while you’re outside, it is absolutely essential to use caution and practice all of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations, which can be found at CDC.gov/ coronavirus. Be careful and stay safe.
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