Pitner Orthodontic's online newsletter for June 2018
THE STRAIGHT UP
June 2018
Happy Smile, Healthy Heart Are Positive Feelings Good for Your Health?
About a year and a half before we got Buster, my husband and I had an “imaginary dog.”We were still on the fence about getting a dog, so we spent a lot of time trying to picture how a dog would fit into our lives. I already knew I wanted anAustralian labradoodle with a golden- brown coat named Buster. Periodically, Kirk and I would say something like, “What would Buster be doing right now?” or “Howwould our plans have to change if Buster was here?”We probably sounded a bit weird to other people when we talked about a dog that didn’t exist. The day we finally stopped talking about our imaginary dog andmade hima real dog was one of my happiest days in recent memory. Getting tomeet my puppy for the first time was the best experience. He’s the sweetest, cutest puppy in the world.What’s really cool is that Buster is exactly howwe imagined he would be. Buster is literally the dog of my dreams andmy happy place.
This researchmatches a study published by the American Journal of Cardiology. Between 1985 and 2007, LisaYanek, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at Johns HopkinsUniversity, analyzed data on around 1,500 healthy individuals who were at risk for coronary artery disease.Through periodic physical examinations and general well-being surveys,Yanek and her team found patients who showed positive well-being were up to 48 percent less likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. Basically, happiness is literally good for your heart! We are just starting to discover that happiness is more than just a nice feeling— it’s a crucial part of our health and well-being. And to me, that’s a pretty good excuse to spend more time playing withmy puppy!
“I BELIEVE WE ALL NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING, SOMEPLACE, OR SOMEONE IN LIFE THAT BRINGS US PURE JOY.”
all suffered from coronary heart disease.The researchers discovered that participants who reported higher levels of positive emotions, including “interested,” “proud,” “enthusiastic,” and “inspired,” weremore likely to be physically active and enjoy better sleep while being less likely to abusemedications at the end of the study. “We found that positive emotions are associated with a range of long-termhealth habits, which are important for reducing the risk of future heart problems and death,” said Nancy L. Sin, postdoctoral fellow in the Center for HealthyAging and the department of biobehavioral health at Penn State.
I believewe all need to have something, someplace, or someone in life that brings us pure joy.
Findingmoments of happiness helps counteract bad feelings like stress, anger, or disappointment. Don’t get me wrong—we need our negative emotions!They help us knowwhen we are in danger, prepare us to run or fight, and help process life’s misfortunes. But happiness is important to our health and survival too.
Over the course of five years, researchers fromPenn State followed 1,000 patients who
What’s your happy place? –Dr. Leslie Pitner
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Smile big. Smile often. • 803-781-5225
3AwesomeDads
FATHERSWHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR THEIR KIDS
This Father’s Day,
eagerly donated part of his liver in March of 2015 to save his son’s life.
in Dagestan under the cover of night, flown toTurkey, and crossed into Syria to join ISIS. But
thousands of dads will receive a “No. 1 Dad” mug to sip coffee out of at the office. But the
Greg Alexander battled a bear for his son’s life. While camping in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greg Alexander was startled awake at dawn by the screams of his 16-year-old son, Gabriel. He rushed out of his hammock to see a black bear dragging his son away by the head. Without hesitation, he kicked the beast in the side, and when that didn’t work, he leapt onto its back and started punching it in the face. When the bear finally released Gabriel, Greg threw rocks until it fled. His son was hurt but made a full recovery in the hospital over the coming weeks. Artur Magomedov saved his daughters from ISIS. Artur Magomedov was devastated to discover that his wife had taken his 3- and 10-year-old daughters from their home
he resolved to get his kids back. After a long, hazardous journey, he arrived inTabqa to embrace his two daughters. To leave the caliphate — under penalty of death — they hitched a ride to the border one night and crawled along a railway line until they were within 70 meters of the border. Then they ran under fire fromTurkish border guards until they could scramble into tall grasses. After some help from the Russian consulate in Istanbul, they made it back home, together again and safe.
following dads took that “No. 1” to a new level.
Brian Munn gave his son a liver
transplant. When doctors discovered that baby Caleb Munn had a rare disease called biliary atresia, they told his parents that he was unlikely to survive past age 2 without a liver
transplant. Luckily, his father was a perfect match, and he
FROM THE OFFICE OF BUSTER
Do Parents Make Brushing Harder for Kids? G’DAY, MATE! parents have been misled into assuming traditional braces are always the best option.
takes a little longer. Meanwhile, if a kid forgets to brush
Buster here, and I’m happy to report that I never forget to brush my teeth — although that might be because my mom, Dr. Leslie Pitner, doesn’t let me forget. Since she’s an orthodontist, she knows how important it is for everyone to clean their teeth regularly. And since I’m a labradoodle who doesn’t have opposable thumbs, my mom has to do all my brushing for me. Parents teach their kids how important it is to brush their teeth, but at the office, I’ve seen a lot of parents accidentally make brushing harder for their kids. I’m talking about braces. Don’t misunderstand — I’m not saying braces are a bad thing. Having crooked teeth can be devastating to a kid’s health and their self- confidence! But sometimes, even if a young patient can fix their teeth with Invisalign,
With traditional braces, kids have brackets and wires glued to their teeth, which can make brushing and flossing really difficult. For this reason, kids with braces tend to slack off about their oral hygiene. This is rarely a problem with Invisalign, which can be quickly removed, allowing young patients to brush and floss with ease.When it comes to keeping your teeth cleaned, Invisalign is a much better option, especially for kids. One big objection parents have to Invisalign is that they are worried their kid will forget to wear the plastic trays. It’s true that, in order for Invisalign to work, you need to wear the aligners for 20–22 hours a day. However, if a kid forgets to wear the aligners enough, your orthodontist can make new aligners and the treatment just
their teeth or doesn’t bother to brush and floss correctly because metal wires and
brackets make it too hard, they could end up with cavities and permanent scars that have a lasting impact on their oral health. If you want to make sure your kid is able to enjoy a beautiful smile and clean teeth, give my mom a call at 803-781-5225 and see if Invisalign is right for your family. And while you’re in the office, don’t forget to say hi. I love saying hi!
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Unconventional Summer Jobs for Teens THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities. Online Surveys and Reviews Companies are eager for consumer feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming
music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. Virtual Storefronts If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors age 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account. Petsitting and Housesitting If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters
to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!
FATHER’S DAY CHILI LIME CHICKEN WINGS
INGREDIENTS
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4 pounds chicken wings 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
• • • •
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 lime, halved
Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•
•
1/4 cup honey
•
Chopped cilantro for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown. 3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture. Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro.
[Inspired by foodnetwork.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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Are Positive Feelings Good for Your Health? 3 Fathers Who Risked It All for Their Kids Have Parents Made Brushing Harder? Unique Job Ideas for Teens Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings
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Summer Camps Kids Will Love
Summer Camps Save Summer Vacation ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!
Summer Zoo Camp Ages: 3-13 Where: Riverbanks Zoo &Garden, Columbia, SC When: Two-week sessions, June 11 to Aug. 17 Phone: 803-602-0803 Website: riverbanks.org/education/day-camps Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers a series of exciting camps geared toward specific age groups to maximize fun and learning. Little ones can get to know all about dinosaurs while their older siblings learn how Mother Nature inspires new technology, all while exploring the zoo like never before!
MuseumMystery: Crime Scene Investigation Ages: 9-11 Where: South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, SC When: July 18-22 or July 30 toAug. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone: 803-898-4921 Website: scmuseum.org/summercamps A priceless artifact has been stolen from the museum! Can your camper help solve the mystery before the thief escapes? This camp, held at the South Carolina State Museum, blends together science and critical-thinking skills as campers collect fingerprints, analyze chemicals, learn about blood types, and sequence DNA in order to catch the thief and recover the stolen artifact.
TNTMartial Arts Summer Camp Ages: 4-12 Where: TNTMartial Arts & Fitness, Cayce, SC When: June 4 toAug. 10 Phone: 803-479-1739 Website: tntcolumbia.com/camp Don’t spend summer vacation in front of the TV. AtTNT Martial Arts & Fitness, kids can get up and get moving as they master the discipline of martial arts, as well as engage in games of kickball, relays, arts and crafts, and tons of fun field trips. Encourage your kids to be active this summer and help them build health fitness habits that can last the rest of their lives. Still looking for the perfect summer camp for your kids?You can find more camps in our area at sciway.net/summer-camps/columbia-sc- summer-camps.html.
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