Pitner Ortho's online newsletter for October 2018
THE STRAIGHT UP
October 2018
No More Masks Learning to Be More Authentic
One of the scariest things I’ve ever had to do — besides swimming over a school of tiny, little fish in the Caribbean — was learn how to take off the mask of Dr. Pitner. No, I don’t mean I’ve been walking around wearing spy tech from “Mission Impossible.”When I talk about the mask of Dr. Pitner, I’m referring to my role around the office as the all-knowing orthodontist. It’s a lot of pressure to be the doctor.You have to have all the answers and know how to fix everything, right? The reality is that as much as we want to believe everyone in the medical profession will have all the answers, this just isn’t true. We’re human, and sometimes we just don’t know. But admitting you don’t know something is really scary. For a long time, I was afraid to admit when I didn’t know something. I was convinced people would think I was a complete idiot for not having all the knowledge in the universe! But as I have learned recently, the few times I take my mask off and say I don’t know, patients respond with, “That’s okay.” They’re
happy I’m not just guessing or making something up. It has made me realize there is tremendous value in being honest and authentic in any area of our lives. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be liked. It feels good to have the respect and admiration of those around us. But when you start to hide parts of yourself or do things just because you think that’s what someone
else wants, you are falling into a painful trap. When you put on a mask for other people, you’re being inauthentic to yourself. It’s pretty darn tiring to go around not being yourself. There comes a point when you start to feel like no one really likes you because no one really knows who you are — including you. Hear me out — I don’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve our negative traits. Recognizing that we can be short-tempered, judgmental, or apathetic and trying to change and bring less negativity into the world is different than being inauthentic. We have to look at the intent behind the change in our behavior and ask, “Am I doing this so other people will like me better, or am I doing this so I can like myself better?”
how to be me. And you know what? I like being me a lot more. And I’ve discovered a lot of other people like me too. I’m not saying it’s easy to take off your mask and be authentic. It takes a lot of faith to be yourself and believe people will like you. But when you make the decision to be brave and take off the mask, it can be really rewarding. My first step toward being more authentic was to stop trying to be perfect and admit when I didn’t know something. Dr. Christine Carter has a lot of great advice on being your authentic self at greatergood.berkeley. edu/article/item/five_ways_to_be_fully_ authentic . This blog is a great read, and I highly recommend checking it out. Will it help you? To be honest, I don’t know, but it’s certainly worth a shot. –Dr. Leslie Pitner
“FOR A LONG TIME, I WAS AFRAID TO ADMIT WHEN I DIDN’T KNOW SOMETHING.”
I spent a lot of time being a person who wasn't really me, but I’ve made myself relearn
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
SHOULD YOU GO FOR A RUN AFTER DARK? A Lovely Night for a Run
Have you ever been driving home after dark and seen someone jogging on the side of the road? You might have thought they were crazy
You can hit the snooze button. Many people who run first thing in the morning find themselves pressed for time. Hitting the snooze button is not an option, and with so little time, breakfast is usually a banana on the way out the door. Moving your run to the evening means you can enjoy a more leisurely morning. Not feeling stressed out first thing in the morning can also lead to a more relaxed day. You can push yourself harder. It can be hard to get a good workout in the morning after your muscles have been still for eight hours during sleep. A study at the University of NorthTexas found that your body is better prepared to exercise in the evenings, since your muscles have been warming up all day. With improved muscular function and strength, you can push yourself harder and see greater improvement.
You sleep better. You will obviously feel tired after a good run, so why not time it right and use this to your advantage? Research from the University of South Carolina found that people who ran before bedtime enjoyed a better night of sleep and increased energy levels when they woke up, meaning they felt more awake and better rested throughout the following day. The best time to run is honestly whenever you have time to run, but if it works with your schedule, nighttime running might provide your best workout ever. Just remember that if you do decide to save your run for after sunset, you should stay safe by wearing bright, reflective
for waiting until so late in the day to go for a run,
but there is actually research that suggests running
in the evening is better than going for a run at any other time of day.
Here are a few reasons why you should save your run until you can join all the things that go bump in the night. clothing, sticking to the left side of the road, and running only in well- lit, populated areas. FROM THE OFFICE OF BUSTER
No More Emergencies G’DAY, MATE! I love to chew on things. This isn’t a surprise — I’m a dog, after all! But I am also a good boy, and I know not to chew on shoes or furniture. Luckily, my mommakes sure I have lots of fun toys to play with. My favorite chew toy is this great Egyptian scarab beetle with a squeaky body and rope legs that are perfect for playing tug of war! I love the fact that my beetle is so soft. I’m not a fan of sharp things suddenly poking the inside of my mouth. It’s a really good thing I don’t have to wear braces, because that seems to happen a lot with metal wires and brackets. When I visit one of the Pitner Orthodontics offices, I see a lot of patients who come in with braces emergencies. For something that’s strong enough to move your teeth, metal braces are shockingly fragile. Plenty of young
athletes have to come in after a rough tackle during practice caused their wire to snap. And sometimes, just biting down on a popcorn kernel is enough to cause a bracket to pop out of place! If your braces are damaged, or you think something might be off about them, you should come into the office and talk to Dr. Pitner right away. Damaged braces can scratch up the inside of your mouth and cause a lot of harm. Ouch! Plus, if your braces are damaged, they aren’t fixing your teeth the way they’re meant to, which can result in more problems in the long run. Our offices are well-equipped to handle your emergency, so feel free to make an appointment to get your braces fixed whenever you need to.
your mouth, consider the benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces. The biggest perk of Invisalign is the ability to remove the plastic aligners. This means patients with Invisalign don’t have to worry about breaking anything during the big game or at the victory dinner afterward.You can chew on your favorite food — or chew toy — without worrying about breaking your braces! That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
However, if you’re like me and you want to avoid dental emergencies or sharp things in
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Have a Fun and SAFE Halloween! Even the Most Frightening Ghouls Need to Be Careful
Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it's crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night. Practice Street Safety Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe KidsWorldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old- fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with
drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there. Choose Smart Costumes Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right- sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. Make a Plan Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where
to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.
PALEO PUMPKIN COCONUT SMOOTHIE
This meal-in-a-glass smoothie will cure your craving for a pumpkin spice latte. It’s packed with nutrients and fall flavor. If you’re the type of person who uses your blender more than your pots and pans, you’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your rotation.
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup coconut milk
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1 frozen banana, sliced
1/4 cup organic pumpkin purée
1 cup ice
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2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or substitute with cinnamon and ginger)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high or on smoothie setting until smooth. 3. Transfer to a cold glass, garnish with pumpkin pie spice, and serve.
Inspired by cookeatpaleo.com
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
5953 Wescott Rd. Columbia, SC 29212 803-781-5225 Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.drpitner.com
INSIDE
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The Mask of Dr. Pitner
Running at Witching Hour
Tired of Broken Brackets and Sharp Wires?
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Trick-or-Treating Safety!
Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie
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Local Events
Find Something Fun in October LOOKING FOR A SCREAM?
Gilbert House of Terror Where: 739 Harley Taylor Road, Gilbert When: Weekends in October Admission: $15 Website: gilberthouseofterror.com
2018 Fur Ball Moonlight Gala Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. Admission: See website for admission Website: columbiaconventioncenter.com/ fur-ball-moonlight-gala This annual fundraising event benefits Pawmetto Lifeline, the Midlands’ leading animal rescue organization.
Dracula: BalletWith a Bite Where: Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia When: Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 Admission: See website for admission Website: columbiacityballet.com/ production/dracula/
If you like your Halloween with thrills and chills, then test your courage at Gilbert House of Terror. Venture into this walk- through haunted attraction, where terrifying clowns, murderous scarecrows, and crazed killers could be lurking around any corner. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits, so you’ll
The legendary Count Dracula rises from the grave in a way you’ve never seen before. In
this Halloween cult classic, blood and death join music and dance as Dracula and his Brides of Darkness bring their reign of terror to the Koger Center. Who said ballet was boring?
Join the cause and enjoy a night of live music, dancing, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and bidding in live and silent auctions. This is one black-tie gala where it’s okay to have a little cat fur on your tux.
be helping great causes while also being scared silly!
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