Huron Smiles August 2018

Huron Smile's online newsletter for August 2018

August 2018

HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be

530 Iowa Ave. SE #102, Huron, SD 57350

605-352-8753

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My Grad How Is Law School Like Dental School?

Though it’s been quite a while since I stepped into a classroom myself, August is still back-to-school season for me. For years, my husband and I have been preparing our sons to start the new school year in the fall. This year is extra special because my oldest son, David, is starting law school! After a lot of hard work, he was accepted into Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, and we couldn’t be more excited. Law school and dental school are two very different experiences, but in the last year I’ve discovered that preparing for them is remarkably similar. Going through this process with my son brought back a lot of memories. He had to take the LSAT before applying to law school, and I remembered all the time I spent studying for the DAT, which is the dental school equivalent. These challenging tests are only the beginning. Even if you score high enough, you still need to interview at the school you want, and you’re competing against all the top graduates from undergrad schools across the United States. The whole experience gets even more stressful because you can’t help but wonder if you are making the right choice. Deciding to go into grad school means putting your “real life” on hold for a little longer. All of your friends are starting their careers and making a living while you are taking more tests and accumulating more debt. It’s scary to hold off. I remember how hard it was for me when I was going to dental school. But it was well-worth it in the end, and I believe it will be worth it for David too. David visited a number of law schools before choosing Drake University — and believe it or not, his reasons have nothing to do with my last name! To start, the school is very hands-on in their teaching methods. There’s only so much you can learn from a textbook. My dental school was very hands-on, and trust me, that kind of training is worth its weight in gold.

The other reason David liked Drake so much was because of

how welcoming everyone at the school was when we visited earlier this year. The people we met — from the teachers and students to

the other applicants — were so nice and all about helping others. Law schools have a reputation of being cutthroat places where students sabotage each other to get ahead. But I’ve always said a rising tide raises all ships. When people help each other, they help themselves as a whole. I was so proud to be part of this experience with my son. Seeing your child challenge themselves to grow as a person and aim to accomplish something great makes you feel good as a parent. As my son prepares to go away for his first year at law school, the best piece of advice I can give him is this: Try not to worry so much. Just do your very best. This sounds like a very “mom” thing to say, but having gone through grad school myself, I know worrying really doesn’t help at all. It just takes up energy you could be using on something else — like studying for that test that will make or break your class next semester. Here’s to all those students out there. Whether you are starting kindergarten or going into your last year of grad school, I hope this year exceeds your expectations and you learn something awesome.

–Dr. Valerie Drake

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3 WAYS TO MENTALLY PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

Outline a Homework Schedule

It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early-morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late-night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year. Set an Early Bedtime

Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?” Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses. Ask Your Kids How They Feel Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.

For many kids, summer schedules are flexible.

They may have become accustomed to sleeping

in and staying up late without any

obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take

upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep- wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright- eyed and bushy-tailed?

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

“What a GREAT dental experience at Huron Smiles! Dr. Drake and Dr. Mann practice pain-free dentistry and always make my appointments enjoyable!! I highly recommend this place to my family and friends!” –Alicia P. “Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in a professional setting. They treat everyone like family!” –Lyndsay T. “I have had many great encounters with Dr. Drake. She is patient, kind, and responsive, and really cares about making sure her patients have the BEST possible experience. I would highly recommend Dr. Drake.” –Amber B.

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studies suggest that gum may also help remineralize teeth, reduce decay and plaque, and prevent or even reverse gingivitis.

SEAL OF APPROVAL

Do 4 out of 5 Dentists Really Recommend Chewing Gum? We’ve all seen the commercials: An attractive spokesperson holds up a pack of gum and happily boasts, “4 out of 5 dentists recommend our brand!” This is surely bogus, right? Everyone knows sugar is bad for your teeth, so why would dentists ever recommend chewing gum? It may be because that particular gum doesn’t actually contain any sugar. Candies like caramels and lollipops are public enemy No. 1 when it comes to tooth health, but many types of chewing gum contain non-cavity-causing sweeteners like aspartame, sorbitol, or mannitol. Because of the absence of sugar, chewing gum can be surprisingly good for your teeth. The act of chewing increases your mouth’s flow of saliva. This may sound a little gross, but saliva helps break down the food you eat, neutralizing the enamel-destroying acid produced by bacteria in plaque. When you chew gum after meals, you actively help combat harmful oral bacteria. Clinical studies have found that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent tooth decay. Other

How do you know if you are buying sugary candy or

cavity-fighting super gum? Check the label

for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal

is awarded to companies or products that are able to produce “scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of its product, which the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs carefully evaluates according to objective requirements.” Basically, if companies can prove their product helps your teeth in some way, their product may earn a seal of approval. Chewing gum cannot replace regular brushing and flossing, but it can help protect your teeth between brushings. If you want to see if your favorite gum is helping you prevent cavities, check out the full list of sugarless gums that have been awarded the ADA Seal at MouthHealthy.org/en/ada-seal-products.

Have a Laugh

AND SESAME SALAD Green Bean

Ingredients • 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Inspired by Delicious magazine

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530 Iowa Ave. SE #102 Huron, SD 57350 605-352-8753

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HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be

Inside This Issue

Good Luck, David! Page 1 How to Prepare Your Kids for School Page 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! Page 2 The Truth About Sugar-Free Gum Page 3 Green Bean and Sesame Salad Page 3 Shadow: The Hang-Gliding Service Dog Page 4

MEET SHADOW: The Amazing Hang-Gliding Service Dog

For his entire life, Utah resident Dan McManus has suffered from several mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, night terrors, and severe panic attacks. Over the years, he’s utilized numerous coping mechanisms to stave off the

felt like he wanted to keep me safe,” he says. And when he left the dog at home, he’d often come home to a scratched-up

symptoms, but there are two things that calm him more than anything else: hang gliding across the Utah skies and the companionship of his service animal, an Australian cattle dog named Shadow.

floor and doors. It seemed that Shadow couldn’t bear to be away

from his owner. So, about 12 years ago, McManus had a special harness made for Shadow, enabling the pup to join him while he took to the skies. They’ve been side-by-side on nearly every flight since. Some pet owners might balk at the idea of taking a dog on a hang glider, but it’s clear that, in this case, Shadow definitely wants to fly. Whenever they go out, Shadow wraps his paws around McManus’ arm, remaining stoic as they survey the landscape together from high above. While we all struggle with our own obstacles in life, it’s nice to know that our canine pals will always be there to offer their furry support. As McManus and Shadow demonstrate, it’s a bond that remains strong even hundreds of feet above the ground.

Over the course of 37 years, McManus went from being a hang- gliding hobbyist to an expert instructor in Salt Lake City, going out gliding as often as possible. But it seemed that his passion gave his pup a bit of anxiety of his own. Whenever McManus would take off, Shadow always wanted to chase him. “So I would be out here flying, and he would chase me and jump up at me and sometimes get my foot and hang on a little bit … It

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