Take a look at our December newsletter!
DECEMBER 2022
WWW.GREATSMILESNJ.COM | 908-561-0225
AN IMPORTANT END-OF- THE-YEAR REMINDER (AND A COOKIE BAKING MILESTONE!)
Whew, we did it — another year is in the books! 2022 felt like a big transition year to me. We’re coming out of the pandemic and accepting COVID-19 as a part of life. It feels like we’ve finally figured out the “new normal” people have been talking about since 2020. You’d think the transition out of COVID-19 would have ended with the vaccine rollout last year, but I saw a lot of patients this year for the first time since 2019! If you were one of them, thank you so much for returning to the office. It was great to see you and catch up. I hope the new momentum we’ve built with these visits continues into 2023 and beyond. The pandemic was terrible in almost every way, but one positive thing that came from it was a new awareness of our health. Several of my patients had a “eureka moment” when they learned that their underlying health was the No. 1 predictor of whether or not they would recover from COVID-19 without complications . They finally realized just how important it is for their overall health to exercise regularly, eat well, treat their sleep apnea, and even see the dentist. Every time I hear a patient’s story about that realization, it makes my day. It took a pandemic, but our message about the importance of dentistry is finally getting through! Even people who thought they were healthy pre-COVID-19 are coming to my team for help with inflammation in their bodies from things like gum disease or a tooth that’s not doing very well. They know that those things affect their whole immune system. I’ve been thinking a lot about these changes in dentistry over the holidays, but I’m also trying to leave work at work and spend more quality time with my family. We’re planning another giant cookie assembly line this year to bake classic chocolate chip, ranch cookies (a chunky cookie full of oats and Rice Krispies), butter cookies, rainbow cookies, and rum balls. I can’t wait to get into the kitchen with my husband and kids. We’re even inviting the kids’ significant others to join the fun this year. That’s an important milestone for the Weddle house! I feel fortunate to be able to spend time with my loved ones again after two strange holiday seasons. To help my team do the same, we’ll be closing the
Happy Holidays
office from Friday, Dec. 23 through Dec. 30. Everyone enjoyed the break last year and squeezed in all kinds of activities with their spouses, kids, and church groups that they otherwise wouldn't have had time for. When I heard that, I knew we had to do it again! Since we’ll be closed for a few weeks in December, I highly recommend scheduling an appointment now if you have dental insurance benefits that expire at the end of 2022. Many of our patients who have dental insurance lose hundreds — even thousands! — of dollars each year because they don’t use all of their FSA money and insurance benefits before they expire. Once these benefits are gone, they’re lost forever. So, if you are due for a checkup and cleaning, or need additional dentistry done, give us a call at 908-561-0225 to schedule an appointment before Dec. 23. You’ll end up with a beautiful smile for your holiday photos, and you won’t lose any money!
To your great smiles and better health,
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Chicago’s ‘Dentist to the Queen’ The Curious Case of the Gold Cufflinks
Way back in 1959, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Chicago for 14 hours — and during that small window, the queen went to the dentist. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth had lost a filling in one of her back teeth and needed a dentist to replace it between royal sightseeing stops at places like the Museum of Science and Industry. She chose Dr. Norman Olson, a dentist who practiced out of the nearby Drake hotel. Why Dr. Olson? Talking about the incident years later, Dr. Olson’s daughter told the Chicago Tribune that he was likely selected thanks to his reputation and location. “It was a very secure hotel,” she said. “I’m sure it was easy for the Secret Service and everybody else to guard the place, and in my opinion, my dad was the best dentist in Chicago.” 15 Minutes for a Lifetime of Fame It’s funny to think of a queen in the dental chair, but the way Queen Elizabeth paid for her procedure is even more curious. Reportedly, Dr. Olson declined to charge her for the 15-minute filling fix — so she gifted him a pair of gold-enameled cufflinks for his trouble. The cufflinks were decorated with crowns and the letters “ER” for “Elizabeth Regina.”
From then on, Dr. Olson was nationally known as “The Queen’s Dentist.” According to the Tribune, he never accepted requests for TV interviews about his experience with the queen. But cards addressed to “The Queen’s Dentist” continued to appear in his mailbox long after her visit. The Making of a Royal Smile In truth, Queen Elizabeth likely had a team of dentists at her beck and call over the years. Fun fact: Even though she passed away at age 96, the queen did not wear dentures. She had all of her own teeth!
Queen Elizabeth’s exact dental upkeep appears to be a national secret, but Matthew Rose, an implant surgeon and restorative dentist with The Implant Center, told Express the queen likely invested in cosmetic dentistry like crowns and veneers to keep her smile white. According to The Mirror, the queen herself credited her smile to the fact that she once wore braces.
When it comes to the need for dental work, it turns out the royals are just like the rest of us!
THE BEST TEETHING TOYS FOR YOUR BABY
3 Dentist-Approved Options
(and spare your hearing) by purchasing a teething toy. Biting down on a teething toy can help relieve the pain of growing teeth as long as the toy is made from safe materials and won’t cause a choking hazard. Here are a few dentist-approved options to consider that range from $4–$30 on Amazon. The Nuby Teething Mitten — Teething babies love to chew on their fingers, and this teething mitten will help them fulfill that urge without sucking on germs. The mitten has a textured silicone surface perfect for relieving teething pain. It’s also machine-washable and comes with a travel bag to keep it clean. The ‘Sophie la Girafe’ Teething Toy — This fun, giraffe-shaped teething toy is perfect for babies of all ages. It includes a squeaker to hold the baby’s attention and parts of various thicknesses for easy chewing. Most importantly, it’s made from safe, natural rubber and food-grade paint. Learn more at SophieTheGiraffe-USA.com. The Green Sprouts Cooling Teether — This classic ring-shaped teether for babies 6 months or older includes beads of multiple textures for the best sensory experience. The teether is also refrigerator- and freezer-safe, so you can cool it down before giving it to your baby to provide even more pain relief.
Teething puppies are pretty adorable — until they sink their little needle teeth into your arm. It’s the same situation with teething babies. They’re sweet, cute, and cuddly at first. Then, the pain strikes, and they start screaming. As a parent, this can be as tough on your emotions as it is on your eardrums. First, you need to work through the panicky feeling that something is wrong with your baby. Then, your heart will probably sink when you spot the signs that appear in most little ones around six months — inflamed gums, flushed cheeks, a mild fever, poor sleep, increased drooling, facial rashes, and the compulsion to chew on your/their fingers.
None of this is fun, but fortunately, once you realize your baby is teething, the worst is over. You can turn back the tide of your little one’s crankiness
With the help of these toys, you and your little one will be resting peacefully before you know it.
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Gone are the days of dealing with missing teeth — dentures and implants combat the problem. They help you chew, improve your speech, and support your facial muscles. When teeth are missing and our gums are exposed, we are at risk for infections, gum disease, and even bone loss, but dentures and implants can help. What are the pros and cons of each, and which option is best for you? Among the oldest treatments for missing teeth are dentures, removable prosthetic teeth fitted to your mouth. Some dentures only replace a few missing teeth, while others may replace an entire upper or lower row. Sometimes, dentures will replace all of your teeth. Pros of Dentures: • Beyond tooth extraction, no surgery is needed. • Dentures are more cost-effective than implants. • Metal plate dentures can easily adjust to changes in the structure of your mouth. • Flexible dentures do not need an adhesive paste and are both odor- and stain-resistant. Cons of Dentures: • They may need to be replaced down the road and can be broken. • They may cause mouth irritation. • Due to the loss of your jawbone, dentures may alter facial shape and structure. • Dentures can become loose. As for dental implants, they are permanently fixed into your mouth with a metal prosthetic root implanted into your jawbone. The very top of the tooth is usually fitted with a crown, which resembles a tooth. Pros of Dental Implants: • Implants are made to last a lifetime and most closely resemble natural teeth. • Dental implants replace the root of the tooth, preventing jaw bone loss. • They are stable in your mouth and can be brushed and flossed, just like natural teeth. Cons of Dental Implants: • Implants can loosen over time, known as implant failure. • Surgery is required when implants are placed in your mouth. • Dental implants are more costly than dentures. DENTURES VS. IMPLANTS HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, sliced • 1 tbsp flour • 2 large carrots, cut into rounds • 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary • 15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid • 1/2 cup water • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency
Directions
1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown. Take a Break
Before deciding whether dentures or dental implants are right for you, consult with your experienced dental care provider — they are the pros and can guide you in the right direction, depending on your wants and needs!
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Inside
This Issue
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A Holiday Note From Michelle
The Story of ‘The Queen’s Dentist’ 3 Teething Toys to Hush Your Baby Comparing Dentures and Implants Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
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This ‘Anti-Diet’ Could Save Christmas
What It Is and How You Can Benefit INTUITIVE EATING: THE ANTI-DIET FOR THE HOLIDAYS
If you’ve ever seen any “What I Eat in a Day” videos on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably come across the hashtag #intuitiveeating. It pops up under posts ranging from snapshots of green smoothies to reels of influencers sprinkling cheese over giant bowls of pasta. If you’re not familiar with the term, you probably have a few big questions. What is intuitive eating, and why is it considered an ‘anti-diet’? At its core, intuitive eating is simply giving your body the food it needs in a mindful way. As psychologist Dr. Susan Albers explained in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic, “Intuitive eating is the polar opposite of dieting. Instead of following rules and restricting what you eat, you trust your internal hunger, fullness, and satiety cues to help you decide what and how much to eat. No food is off the table.” This means you won’t catch an intuitive eater counting calories, talking about cheat days, or staring longingly at a doughnut they want but just can’t have. Instead, you might see them slowly savoring their food and pausing between bites to decide whether or not they’re full. What are the benefits of eating this way? Intuitive eating isn’t about weight loss, although some people who practice it do shed pounds. Instead, many articles point to other benefits like increased respect for your body, less stress and guilt around food, and even a better
understanding of your emotions. Ultimately, practitioners of this anti-diet claim to find more joy in eating than before.
How can I learn more? Intuitive eating is based on 10 principles, including “honor your hunger” and “feel your fullness.” You can read about them at Health.ClevelandClinic.org/ what-is-intuitive-eating or pick up a copy of the 1995 book that started it all: “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, two health professionals who specialize in nutrition and eating disorders. Intuitive eating is an “anti-diet” for every age and body type. It may be just the strategy you need to heal your relationships with food and get more joy out of the holiday season.
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