Take a look at the latest edition of Word of Mouth!
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December is a time to reflect on the year. And on reflection, I feel like I got a step closer to the balance I was looking for. I should say, it's a work in progress, but I am learning to slow down and invest time in things that truly bring joy. I can proudly say that engrossing myself in holistic dentistry has been one such enrichment for me. 2021 started with a lot of uncertainty, and I did what I do best: made a long list of goals and resolutions. I decided to reframe my thoughts, be proactive where I could, and stay organized. And for everything else that wasn’t in my control, I left it for the universe to decide. This little experiment produced the most productive and fulfilling year yet. Personal goals were a lot harder to keep consistent this year. Working out every day was a struggle, but I found creative ways to be physically active, such as riding my bike to work. Hiking or yardwork were also enjoyable alternatives. We spent free weekends going on trips to visit family and friends, too. One highlight is that we were finally able to visit our grandparents in Florida after the 1.5-year quarantine. The summer turned out to be busy and fun filled. We spent weekends taking short trips to visit friends and family or host them here in town. We had a decade-long overdue family reunion and got to play tourists in our own city. Wedding season was back on, and although on a much smaller scale and with some restrictions, it was very nice to finally get together and celebrate life. Our dog, Bently, was finally able to get his needed surgery and have an abscessed tooth removed. His energy level after surgery and extraction became sky-high, the highest we have seen in the past two years. It has been fascinating to see this effect (renewed energy after removal of an infection) in both animals and humans. As for professional goals, I was able to advance my knowledge on the jaw joint, with a focus on smile design, through many continuing education classes. It has been exciting to apply this into practice as a means to reduce jaw joint pain and discomfort. It was also insightful to discover that correcting joint misalignment corrects the bite and makes beautiful smiles — it’s a win-win. This year, a few of us at Wrigleyville Dental had the opportunity to learn more about PRF and facial rejuvenation techniques from the #1 PRF guru in the world. PRF is Platelet Rich Fibrin, healing proteins and concentrated growth factors within the blood. We’ve Lots of Good Things Ahead Looking Back and Looking Forward
Dr. Kolencherry with her husband and their dog, Bently
been using them after extractions, but facial rejuvenation treatments are a healthy way to keep skin feeling and looking young. Its organic healing properties can smooth wrinkles, increase collagen production, reduce acne scarring and tighten skin. I’m really excited to be at the forefront of this technology. With everything that happened this past year, I can’t help but wonder what is in store for 2022. When it comes to aspirations, one thought is to start small and focus on the little things; like cook more meals at home and reduce screen time. As for travel plans, we hope we can finally travel to Greece and Japan, which has been on our bucket list. And, of course, there’s always more continuing education I would like to do, like finishing an Advanced Invisalign course, extra training in nutrition, and restoring severely worn teeth from clenching and grinding. For the upcoming year, peace and harmony is what I want to wish you and your family. May the days in your lives be filled with joy and let everything you want manifest. Happy Holidays!
–Dr. Kolencherry
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time? Are there learning tools that can help them accomplish this? Teach them that achieving a goal is about so much more than desire; you have to put in the work to accomplish it, too! Focus on keeping it small. If you want to encourage your child to achieve their goals, then create smaller tasks that teach them the value of finishing something. For example, start and complete an arts and crafts project or game together to show your little one the value of finishing what they start. Then, slowly work your way up to the big goal. Maybe that’s cleaning their room without unnecessary detours or finishing their homework on time. Finally, celebrate! This is important. Acknowledge the wins that both you and your child have throughout the year. For example, if they want to be a better reader, celebrate whenever they finish a book. This will encourage them to keep going. And even if they do fail, honor their effort. Remind them that putting in the effort, regardless of the outcome, is powerful, too. 4 STEPS TO SUCCESS Teach Your Children to Set Goals
This new year, teach your children how to set healthy, achievable goals.
Start by sharing your goals. Without even realizing it, children often mimic the actions of the adults around them. So, share your goals with your child and explain how you plan to achieve these goals. Then ask your child to do the same. It can be as big as moving up three grade levels in reading or as small as beating a video game. Foster these ideas within your child so they will set one of their goals and have a positive experience when they achieve it. Create next steps together. If you want to have more energy in the new year, what steps will you take to achieve that goal? Ask your child to consider the same question in regard to their objectives. If their goal is to finish a certain video game, how will they improve their current game play? What can they do to earn more video game
For more tips on how to teach your children to set and keep goals, visit Parents.com.
With and Without Snow! HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT SNOWBALL
3 STEPS TO SNOWBALL PERFECTION 1. Test the snow for “free water.” Your snow can’t be too soggy or too dry. You want what The International Classification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground calls “wet” snow, which is 3%–8% water by volume. To see if your snow is worthy, try the squeeze test. If it sticks together when you squeeze it without gushing water, you’re set! 2. Keep your gloves on. There’s no need to go gloveless if your snow passed the squeeze test. You may be tempted to try turning dry snow into wet snow with your body heat, but ignore the urge — at best, you’ll create a fragile snowball with only a thin shell of snowball glue. 3. Crank up the pressure. The tighter you squeeze your snowball, the better it will be! At the annual Japanese snowball fight
If you live in a snowy climate, you’ve likely made at least one snowball — but how good was your technique? It turns out the process of snowball-making is more complicated than grabbing a handful of powder and squeezing it. To understand the nuance, Popular Science asked both a NASA astrochemist and a director from Montana State’s Snow and Avalanche Laboratory to weigh in. According to the astrochemist, a truly perfect snowball would need to be made in a lab or outer space. Those are the only places where you can achieve pressure high enough to melt the snow and refreeze to make a “meniscus” (aka “snowball glue”) throughout the ball. But if you don’t have a private lab or rocket ship, here’s the next best thing.
Yukigassen, players use molds to make extra-tight snowballs. You can buy one on Amazon for under $10. While you’re shopping, look for other “snowball-maker” mold sets. You can have some fun this winter making snowball-shaped hearts, snowmen, and penguins. Who said building snowballs was just for kids?! THE SNOWBALL YOU CAN DRINK If your backyard is snowless, we have good news: You can still make snowballs — the drinkable kind! The Snowball is a classic Christmas cocktail named for the dome of froth that appears when you stir it. It’s made by mixing 1 part lime cordial and 2 parts Warninks Advocaat Liqueur with ice, then straining the mixture and adding 6 parts lemonade. For more details and snowball trivia, visit GoodHousekeeping.com.
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SUDOKU
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly one-half of all Americans over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. This percentage only increases with age as 70% of people over the age of 65 suffer from this ailment. Taking care of your gums is extremely important because new reports come out every year tying gum disease to many illnesses and conditions that can affect other areas of your body. Here are a few: HEART HEALTH Multiple studies have shown an association between gum disease and heart disease. While a direct cause and effect has not been proven, research suggests that gum disease increases the risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth can find their way into the bloodstream and produce protein, which can increase the chance of getting blood clots. Eventually, if blood flow becomes too badly affected, a heart attack could occur. LUNG INFECTIONS People with gum disease have more bacteria in their mouths than people who don’t. Lung and chest infections can occur by simply breathing in droplets of certain bacteria that can travel from the mouth to the lungs. In fact, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses can be tied back to gum disease. This creates a dangerous predicament for those with weakened immune systems since they already struggle fighting dangerous infections. DIABETES In general, people with diabetes are more likely to develop infections than other people. This includes gum disease. In addition, gum disease can raise an individual’s blood sugar, putting people with diabetes at greater risk of further complications. Newer research has also shown that people with gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes. As more and more information comes out about gum disease and its effects on our bodies, it behooves us to keep our gums healthy and happy by developing one of the easiest and most effective habits: flossing and brushing every day. Simply flossing once a day, preferably before bed, can improve gum health rather quickly. And stimulating your gums with the toothbrush is a great way to improve gum health. If tenderness, gum recession, or swelling persist, it’s best to visit your dental provider for a checkup. It could save more than your teeth. Healthy Gums, Healthy Body Always Remember to Floss
Place a number in every cell in the grid, using the numbers 1–9. You can only use each number once in each row, each column, and each of the 3x3 boxes.
Liven up your healthy eating this year with this Latin-inspired, flavor-packed recipe!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 small mango, skinned and chopped • 1 avocado, chopped • 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 red chile, seeded and chopped • 1 medium red onion, chopped • 2 cans black beans, drained • Cilantro, chopped and to taste • 1 lime, for zest and juicing
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, mix the ingredients together. Serve and enjoy!
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3256 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Inside Looking Back and Looking Forward
pg. 1
4 Steps to Setting Better Goals
pg. 2
With Your Children
Make the Perfect Snowball in 3 Steps
pg. 2
Black Bean, Mango, and Avocado Salad
pg. 3
Healthy Gums Create a Healthy Body pg. 3
The Lost Art of the Thank-You Note
pg. 4
Bringing Back a Lost Art Your Guide to Writing a Thank-You Note
A 2019 survey by Ask Your Target Market showed 80% of respondents appreciate receiving thank-you notes — but only 22% of respondents report regularly sending them. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. During the holiday season, you probably received several gifts and may have been hosted at a family member’s house, so now is the perfect time to revive the dying art of the thank-you note. If it’s been a while since you last wrote one, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. Know when a note is needed. You should strongly consider sending a thank-you note any time you receive a gift, but they are particularly expected after big events like weddings or showers. It’s also good form to send a note whenever someone has done you a big favor or hosted you at their house. Professionally, thank-you notes should always be sent after job interviews. Notes should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month of the gift or event. Use paper. It may seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly what makes it special. In fact, the Ask Your Target Market survey found that 72% of respondents thought handwritten notes were more meaningful
than electronic ones. Even if your handwriting is messy, your recipients will appreciate the personal touch. Exceptions apply for thank-you notes sent after job interviews — due to time sensitivity, these are best sent via email.
Be specific. Especially when you’ve got a large stack to get
through, it’s pretty tempting to write the same note over and over again, changing only the salutation. Don’t give in! While it’s fine to have a template, recipients will recognize when the note you sent them is generic. Be sure to mention exactly what you’re thankful for (not just “the gift”) or how you plan to use the gift. Now, you’re ready to let people know how much you appreciate them in a way that’s both simple and classic. Your family, friends, and colleagues will be impressed, and who knows, you just might start a trend.
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