Check out our November newsletter!
PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R
EDITION 21
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Like many others, we experienced the disappointment of having to cancel a long-anticipated trip this year. We were planning to visit Spain in July 2020, but just before booking our airline tickets and hotel stays, COVID-19 made landfall in the U.S. We were very fortunate to not lose our bookings or money, but we were still disappointed. Yet, we didn’t want to wallow in what we had lost. International travel may be near impossible for at least another year, so, like many people, we decided to search for local trips that involve outdoor activities. We had heard of Bushkill Falls in Pennsylvania and had always wanted to visit. It sounded like an easy daytrip with fantastic views. So, one Friday morning this August, we loaded in the car around 8:30 a.m. and headed for the Pocono Mountains, which are just under two hours from our house. We had been told that parking at Bushkill on the weekends can be difficult, and since we wanted to avoid the crowds, we knew a weekday was going to be our best chance to view the falls safely and with minimal traffic and crowds. If you’re like us and have never ventured to Bushkill Falls, it just might be worth adding to your list of local attractions. Bushkill Falls is about 1,200 feet above sea level and encompasses 300 acres, including eight waterfalls and 2 miles of hiking trails and walkways. When we arrived, we noticed the cool and crisp air immediately. We picked a trail that had a lot of waterfalls to view but wasn’t too steep. We walked for about an hour and a half with stops Exploring Local Sights Vacationing During the Pandemic Leads the Gopals to Bushkill Falls
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along the way to take in the sights and catch our breath. We were going uphill, after all! Thankfully, the pathway wasn’t too treacherous. It was slippery in some sections, as the water made the walkway slick, but it wasn’t that bad for us to walk over. The uphill “climb” and slippery walkways made way to some gorgeous waterfalls, too. We snapped a few photos of the falls and worked up the courage to ask someone to take a photo of us, too. (We’ve learned that this isn’t an easy feat in a pandemic world.) As you can imagine, walking back down was a bit trickier and slower with the slick paths, but once we walked all the way down, we rewarded ourselves with ice cream from the gift shop. Food was not being served, but they did have ice cream. Overall, it was a nice, pleasant day spent at the falls, and we’re planning our next trip possibly for the fall when the leaves are colorful. Our staff has given us a few ideas of local spots in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware that we could visit, too. Some of our staff have campers and travel a lot with their families. We figure now is as good of a time as any to explore our local region. It’s safe and offers some relief from the monotony of everyday life. We’re already looking forward to our next adventure. If you’re looking for outdoor activities in the area, we recommend you consider Bushkill Falls. There’s nothing like fresh air and greenery to bolster spirits. It’s the key to surviving this strange world we are living in. We hope you find time to get outside and boost your spirits with a little outdoor therapy.
OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT COORDINATOR
MICHELE
DENTAL ASSISTANT
CATHLEEN
HYGIENIST
CHARLENE PRACTICE MANAGER
PETER
Safe travels,
–Hema & Peter Gopal
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM
The Importance of Oral Care
F lu season is right around the corner, which means people will inevitably get sick. Whether you come down with the sniffles or a fever, one thing is for sure: Taking care of your body should be your No. 1 priority to help you stay healthy. While rest and hydration help, it’s also important to take care of your mouth. An American Dental Association dentist, Dr. Gene Romo, states that “it’s important to take care of your dental health all year, but especially when you’re sick.” Brush With Care The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the flu virus can live on moist surfaces, including toothbrushes, for 72 hours. After you’ve been sick, you need to be especially mindful. It can be in your best interest to throw your toothbrush away, but if you decide to keep it, you can clean the toothbrush by soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash for a few minutes before future use. Stop the Cough A sore throat and coughing are some of the more prevalent symptoms of the common cold or flu. Cough drops are used to soothe the throat and help reduce coughing, and while they do work, many cough drops contain sugar. “It is like sucking on candy,” Dr. Romo says. To avoid this, check the How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy When You Are Sick
label before you purchase them. Make sure to avoid any ingredients like corn syrup and fructose.
Swish and Spit Nausea and vomiting can be negative side effects of getting sick. Dr. Romo states that “when you vomit, stomach acids are coming in contact with your teeth and coating them.” It’s tempting to brush your teeth right away after you’ve been sick, but doing so could actually rub those acids all over your teeth. Before brushing, rinse your mouth with a diluted mouth rinse (a mixture of water and 1 teaspoon baking soda) to remove any acids that might be lingering in your mouth and wait 30 minutes.
Keep yourself and your mouth as healthy as you can this flu season!
3 Best Books for Your
Children to Sink Their Teeth Into
W atching your child grow and experience new things is one of the most wonderful parts of parenting. Yet, many firsts, like a child’s first visit to the dentist, can be scary for them. That’s why it’s so important to talk to them about their first appointment and what it might be like. Reading to your kids is one of the best ways to help them understand the world around them, including dental health and going to the dentist. Here are three books that your child will learn from and love! ‘Brush, Brush, Brush!’ This rhythmic book can help your child get into a groove while brushing their teeth. What’s great about this book is that the words can be sung to the tune of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” This
helps your child remember proper techniques as they’re dancing along to their new song. The combination of the song and bright illustrations will assure that your child loves this book. “Brush, Brush, Brush!” can be found at Barnes & Noble for $6.95. ‘Going to the Dentist’ Part of the “Usborne First Experiences” series of children’s books, this book follows Jake and Jessie, two children who are going to their very first dentist’s appointment. Alongside colorful illustrations, this story details what a dentist’s appointment is like in an easy-to-understand way. It even shows kids what a cavity is when the dentist discovers a “hole” in one of Jake’s teeth. There are also educational takeaways as the story explains why it’s important to take care of your teeth, along with some ways to keep them healthy. Find “Going to the Dentist” in paperback on Amazon for $4.95. ‘The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist’ Join Sister and Brother Bear as they visit a dentist — Sister’s got a loose tooth and Brother’s found a cavity! This book captures the anxiety a child might feel before a dental visit, as Brother teases Sister about going to the dentist. However, not only does Sister have a wonderful visit with Dr. Bearson, but she also gets a visit from the Tooth Fairy. You can find this book on Amazon in paperback for $4.49 or on Kindle for $4.99.
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Inspired by DogTipper.com Turkey and Oatmeal Dog Treats
A Toothbrush Is a Useful Tool
Share those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers with your pup by turning them into crunchy oatmeal cookies. Your dog will be begging for them at breakfast and dinner!
Ingredients
WHO KNEW?
• 1 cup turkey or chicken broth • 1 1/2 cups shredded turkey
• 1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour • 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats • 1 tsp baking powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, and baking powder and set aside. 3. In a blender, add broth and turkey and pulse until it’s the consistency of baby food. 4. Add the meat mixture to the dry ingredients and mix it well. Then, on a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and knead it. 5. Roll out the dough and cut it into fun shapes, like bones, leaves, or turkeys. 6. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 7. Let cool, then your dog can indulge in the flavors of the season! Take a Break
Every 3–4 months, we throw out our old toothbrush and replace it with a new one. This practice keeps our teeth healthy and strong. However, even when you stop brushing with your old toothbrush, it doesn’t mean that it is no longer useful. After sanitizing an old toothbrush, try using it in these ways! Household Hacks One of the best things your toothbrush can be used for is cleaning. The long handle and bristles make it perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach places where a cleaning cloth just won’t cut it. • Keyboard: A computer keyboard can catch dust particles, pet hair, crumbs, and other debris between the keys. While using a can of compressed air might clean some of it, going over the keys with an old toothbrush can help remove those particles for good. • Jewelry: Over time, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings can become dirty, and what better tool to clean them with than a toothbrush? The bristles allow you to get into those tiny, delicate nooks. • Keurig: Don’t dread cleaning your coffee maker anymore! A toothbrush lets you reach the places a rag can’t go and scrubs away the hard stains. Beauty Hacks
An old toothbrush can be used to help you achieve your perfect look. Just remember to disinfect it thoroughly first before using it on your face!
• Mascara: One of the biggest issues when putting on mascara is clumping your lashes together. By using a toothbrush to carefully brush out your lashes after you’ve applied mascara, you can remove any unwelcome chunks. • Eyebrows: When you’ve just woken up or finished washing your face, you might realize that half of your eyebrow is pointing in the wrong direction. Instead of using your fingers, simply pick up an old toothbrush and brush them out! No more need for an extra eyebrow comb. • Hair: When you want to give your hair a little extra texture, a toothbrush is the tool for you. Instead of having flat braids, give them some volume with a few quick brushes. You can also use a toothbrush and some hairspray to tame those pesky flyaway hairs!
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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The Gopals Check Out a Local Natural Wonder
2
Oral Care During Cold and Flu Season Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
3
Don’t Throw That Old Toothbrush Out! Leftover Turkey Dog Treats
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Thanksgiving Foods That Make Your Teeth Happy
Foods for Happy Teeth Healthy Holiday Choices
Among your favorite Thanksgiving treats are a few foods that not only taste good but are also healthy for your teeth. If you’ve volunteered to bring a side dish to a family Thanksgiving meal or are planning on cooking the whole meal yourself, make sure to include these foods. The Main Course: Turkey There are a lot of nutrients in the foods we eat that help make our teeth stronger, including protein. Luckily, the main course of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is full of it! Protein — when combined with vitamin D and calcium — helps keep our teeth strong, which reduces tooth loss and allows us to chew and talk properly. So enjoy your turkey and know that in addition to being delicious, it’s also improving your smile. The Side Dish: Cranberries Cranberry sauce is a key side dish for Thanksgiving, and it’s also exactly what your smile needs. Cranberries are full of nutrients your body needs to be healthy, including potassium, beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C, just to name a few. However, that’s not all cranberries can do for your teeth. The tart berry’s juice actually has a tendency to reduce plaque in the mouth thanks to proanthocyanidins (a class of nutrients), which prevent bacteria from sticking together. By simply enjoying cranberries with your Thanksgiving meal, you’re fighting harmful bacteria that could damage your teeth.
The Dessert: Pumpkin Pie Unlike other Thanksgiving favorites like apple pie or pecan pie, pumpkin pie tends to have less sugar and far more nutrients, including vitamin A and calcium. Vitamin A is especially important, as it’s an essential part of strengthening the enamel on our teeth. When eaten in moderation, pumpkin pie can be both a sweet treat and an oral health booster. These are only three of the foods that can help your teeth this Thanksgiving. Before you roll up your sleeves and get started on your feast, check out a few more healthy recipes by visiting FoodNetwork.com or Delish.com.
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
609.298.1124
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