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September/October 2025
THE HEIGHTS SMILE Herald
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
From Freddy Krueger to Flossing
FACE THE FEAR, TREAT YOUR TEETH
You know the ominous feeling you get when you watch a scary movie? What’s behind the door, lurking around the corner? What’s going to happen when the man drinks the magic potion? Will he transform into the terrifying Mr. Hyde? Your stress level is up, you feel the adrenaline rush, your body’s fight or flight mode kicks in as you wait for the fright to happen. For some people, going to the dentist is like watching a horror movie, and the big jump scare isn’t a ghost or monster lunging into attack mode; it’s the fear of the unknown. No one wants to face a dreaded, scary smile. Halloween is coming up, and I still remember the feeling I had as a kid renting “Nightmare on Elm Street” with my friend, too afraid to sleep in my room for a couple of nights. It wasn’t until I spilled the beans to my dad that I could bring my stress level down enough to sleep in my basement bedroom again. Caramel candies, teeth grinding nightmares, and frightening-sounding dental procedures lurking in the shadows are the dental bumps in the night that scare people. Just like I had to finally speak up to my dad about Freddy Krueger to overcome my fear, scheduling an appointment and getting in the chair is ultimately how to survive the jump scare and uncover a healthy, happy smile. I like Halloween. In fact, when I was a kid, I wanted to have my birthday on Friday the 13th since my name is Jason. Given that my birthday is July 28, the math would never work out. But the holiday brings extra risks to teeth. There are steps you and your family can take so no one has to fear their smile going sideways. You want to avoid sticky, caramel-style candies that will stick to the teeth. From a long-term standpoint, one of the best things you can do is to establish healthy dental habits with your children early on. As parents and grandparents, you can model good dental health. Be proactive, ensuring everyone keeps up with their dentist appointments and takes care of any issues with their teeth before they become big problems. Of course, it’s not just bite-sized Snickers that can lead to a scary smile. Hockey and other sports start soon, and those high-contact games can damage teeth. So, ensure your children always wear protective gear, like mouthguards and masks. Take care of your overall health by maintaining a good diet and taking preventive steps like regular brushing and flossing.
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, even when you haven’t been binge-watching horror movies, it could be a sign that something is going on with your oral health. Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, can go hand-in-hand with dental issues like bruxism or dry mouth. There are sleep appliances you can wear at night to help open the airways, helping you get more rest and preventing more damage to your teeth. A scary smile isn’t just a teeth problem; it’s a whole-body issue. Snoring or sleep problems can be the first piece of the puzzle that something deeper is happening. Most often, when people fear going to the dentist’s office, it’s not the dentist or the procedure itself; it’s not knowing what’s next. As dentists, we handle oral health problems every day, and we’re here to walk you through those unknowns and get you healthy. Think of us as your friend who’s already seen the movie, and knows when to tell you to watch out for the big jump scare, and when you can uncover your eyes again. Instead of letting the unknown hold you back during witching hour, schedule that appointment, ask the questions, and let’s get your smile out of the shadows. -Dr. Jason Schermer
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SLEEP APNEA RELIEF WITHOUT THE MASK Say Goodbye to CPAP Struggles
If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of restless nights or keep waking up feeling like you never slept, the culprit might not be nightmares; it could be your oral health. According to the American Medical Association, sleep apnea affects more than 30 million people in the U.S. This disorder can significantly reduce your quality of life, causing fatigue, poor concentration, and even increasing your risk of serious health issues. Sleep apnea and dental health problems like teeth grinding, dry mouth, and TMJ are linked, and your dentist may be able to help. While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines are the gold standard for treatment, not everyone can tolerate them. One of the next best alternatives is oral sleep appliances. These small, custom-made devices reposition your jaw slightly
during sleep to help keep your airway open. They are non-surgical, removable, and much easier to travel with than a CPAP machine, making it a safe and effective option for many people. Our office offers sleep appliances for patients diagnosed with sleep apnea by a sleep medicine professional and looking for an alternative to CPAPs. Our team has completed advanced training with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and remains current with continuing education and certification. There’s no cookie-cutter solution here. We choose from several different types of sleep appliances and fit the one best suited to your mouth, teeth, and specific needs. It’s not a silver bullet or magic wand that will eliminate your snoring or sleep
interruptions. But it can significantly improve your sleep, reduce apnea events, and, more importantly, improve your overall quality of life. We begin treatment with a quantitative assessment to understand your sleep patterns and associated dental issues, but our main goal is to improve how you feel. We want to help you have more restful nights, less fatigue, and better focus throughout the day. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and struggle with your CPAP, contact us today to learn more about our sleep appliances. A better night’s sleep may just be a dentist visit away.
To learn more, visit exceptionalsmiles.com/ dental-sleep-medicine.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “They are so professional and friendly, from the front desk all the way to the doctor. Best dentist I’ve ever been to. This is my new dentist home.” -Kenyale P. — “Efficient, kind, and knowledgeable group! Dr. Andrea always listens to you. Taylor is a wonderful tech who is great at her job. Always makes you feel comfortable.” -Holly O.
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(440) 483-1003
VAMPIRE FANGS AND VIKING TEETH A BITE INTO DENTAL MODIFICATIONS THROUGH THE AGES
Over the years, I’ve had patients walk into the office and ask with total seriousness, “Can you give me fangs?” Whether it’s vampire teeth, cat- like canines, or even adding a sparkle with a gem, the desire to decorate or reshape teeth is nothing new. Humans have been modifying their smiles for thousands of years. From the ancient Mayans who inlaid gems into their teeth to Vikings creating designs in their grin to scare off enemies, teeth modifications have a long history. While today’s dental tools are more advanced, the fascination with tooth art remains. Let’s look at where this dental trend started. MAYAN MOLARS The ancient Mayans practiced intentional dental modifications as far back as 2,500 years ago. The most elite members of their society would have inlays of turquoise, gold, pyrite, and jadeite added to the front of their teeth to signify their wealth or status. Their culture also commonly
filed crosshatched grooves into the surface of teeth, filed teeth into sharp points, and made other alterations. VIKING DESIGNS Archaeologists have also discovered young Viking men had horizontal grooves filed into their teeth around 800 to 1050 CE/AD. Researchers believe the designs carved into their pearly whites might have marked their achievements or were meant to intimidate their enemies. The grooves might have been part of an initiation or used to identify them as part of a special group of Viking traders. JAPANESE OHAGURO Though it’s hard to imagine this as a thing of beauty today, Japanese women would blacken their teeth using vegetables or tea and a special solution to signify beauty and maturity and protect the teeth from decay. Ohaguro persisted for many centuries until 1870, when the Meiji government banned it.
TEETH SHARPENING Some of the earliest examples of teeth
modification date back 13,000 years in Africa. Many ancient tribes used teeth sharpening as a rite of passage and a mark of beauty. This practice also served as a way to mark which tribe people were a part of, and some used it to look more intimidating. Though we’ve been altering our teeth for thousands of years, before you go in for dental gems or fangs, remember that some modern adhesives can cause more harm than style.
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKES OF THE MONTH
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Ingredients Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Q: What do you call it when it snows on Halloween? A: Octo-brrrr. Q: Why do birds fly south in October? A: Because it is too far to walk. Q: What is a pumpkin’s favorite sport? A: Squash.
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy! exceptionalsmiles.com
If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@exceptionalsmiles.com. You may see it in our next issue!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
exceptionalsmiles.com
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
INSIDE
1 Tackling Your Dental Nightmares
2 Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Restful Nights
What People Are Saying About Us
3 Toothy Traditions
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
4 Mix It Up for Maximum Nutrition
HOW VARIETY CAN SAVE YOUR GUT, MOOD, AND MEALS THE SAME PLATE DEBATE
If you are stuck on your go-to kale smoothie or healthy quinoa salad for lunch, it may be time to shake up your plate and add a little variety to the menu. Eating the same thing every day might seem like a safe bet and an easy way to meal prep in your busy routine. But your body and taste buds deserve new flavors to keep things fresh and boost your immune system. Even the most nutritious diets can easily turn into a food rut. Grab a plate as we explore why you shouldn’t eat the same food daily. FIXATION OR FOOD FRUSTRATION? Turning to the same recipes daily could signal something about your mental or emotional health. Variety isn’t just crucial for our physical well-being; it keeps our minds engaged and helps prevent us from feeling blue. People who limit what and how much they eat may have an eating disorder called avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID can lead to health problems, as it causes people to avoid certain nutritious foods or not eat at all.
NUTRIENTS NEED NEWNESS Your body needs a variety of nutrients and foods to stay healthy and balanced. If you are eating the same meals, you might miss out on the ingredients your gut microbiome and immune system crave. Repeating recipes too often could lead to nutrient deficiencies and starve your body of proteins and essential vitamins. While consuming some of the same foods every week is generally fine, change it up enough to get a good mix of antioxidant-rich foods. SAME BITES, SNEAKY SIGNS By avoiding new cuisine, you could miss essential food allergy or intolerance signs. If you have the same breakfast every morning but don’t feel well afterward, trying an alternative could show you that your preferred plateful is actually hurting more than helping. By restricting items in your diet, you could even develop new food sensitivities over time. Listen to your body and be willing to make adjustments if that routine treat is causing discomfort.
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