At W Dental Group we believe that everyone should have a smile that they want to show off.
June/July 2017
The Dental Wire USE THE LONGER DAYS TO FOCUS ON YOUR WELL-BEING Summer: A Season for Wellness
It’s not hard to get some sun this time of the year. I know most people want to avoid it, but I think we should all get out and bask in some of those rays. The days are longer, and what better time to focus on our own wellness? People ask me sometimes what the “W” in W Dental stands for. I used to point out it’s just my last initial. Now, as my perspective on dentistry and overall health has evolved, I usually say it stands for “Wellness.” There are three key types of wellness we can focus this season that I know will make a huge difference in our lives. The first is physical wellness. There’s so much to see and feel in the great
outdoors during this time of year, and enjoying it is good for us.
probably call my bike dumpy. All it takes is the desire to do it and something that gets you around. The second type of wellness we can focus on is mental wellness. Like physical wellness, where you train, exercise, and build muscle, mental exercise involves exhausting your ingenuity. I’d encourage you to read, become interested in learning, travel if you can, and build the muscle of your mind. Finally, the most important type of wellness is spiritual wellness. To me, that means making sure God is in your heart and that He drives you to honor and glorify Him by serving others. Doing that makes you a better person. And, for me, this allows me to smile and enjoy this beautiful world and the people in it more. On Father’s Day, I remember my dad’s most sage advice: “Always be ready to kill your own snakes.” I’ve encountered many obstacles in my life, but my dad’s empowering advice has helped me power through and conquer whatever snakes appear. I hope you can revel in all the good summer brings, and that on the Fourth of July, you can enjoy the fireworks!
I do this for myself by riding my bike more. During most of the year, work keeps me so busy that it’s hard to find time. Since the sun rises earlier in the summer, I can wake up early and do 15–20 miles before I even get to work. It makes a huge difference in my day. If you’ve ever had an inkling to try cycling for yourself, San Antonio is a great place to do it. We have over 100 miles of trails all throughout the creek system. Most mornings, I see a lot of deer, and for a few moments, I forget I’m in the city. I don’t have any fancy equipment. In fact, serious riders would
– Thomas Watkins
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Where Wellness Begins with a Smile!
Summer Reading for Busy Families AUDIOBOOKS INSPIRE A LOVE OF STORIES IN ALL AGES
Summer reading lists are always popular, but most families rarely have time to have dinner together, let alone sit still reading for hours. Luckily, the ever-growing popularity of audiobooks means you don’t have to wait for school to start again for your kids to get back into literature. Here are a few great audiobooks you can introduce to your family this summer. For the Long Road Trip “The Bad Beginning” (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket, read by Tim Curry When a terrible fire destroys the Baudelaire mansion, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves orphans and are sent to live with the terrible Count Olaf. Convinced their awful new guardian is only after their fortune, the Baudelaires must use their intelligence and skills to stick together and (maybe) overcome their sad circumstances. Fans of the Netflix series will love to hear the story
that started it all! Who knew such an unfortunate series could mean fun for the whole family? For Family Bonding “Half Magic” by Edward Eager, read by Words Take Wing A beloved family favorite since it was first published in 1954, “Half Magic” tells the story of siblings Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha, who discover a magic wish- granting coin. They soon realize the coin only grants half of what they wish for, and an unplanned vacation to the Sahara, followed by chaos in King Arthur’s court, is just a one of the hilarious misadventures this family must overcome together. For Something Entirely New “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown, read by Kate Atwater
on a wild island. Struggling to survive and befriend the island’s hostile animal inhabitants, Roz must eventually face her mysterious past, which threatens to tear her home apart. This brand-new book is a stunning tale about the environment, technology, and the wonder of being alive.
These are just a few of the many titles your family can enjoy this summer.
Find even more by visiting Audible.com or checking the
audiobooks catalogue on iTunes.
When lonely robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she finds she’s trapped
SOME OPTIONS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS How Do I Whiten My Teeth?
Did you know there are whitening gels that can whiten your smile by as many as 10 shades in a single day? No, it’s not on the black market. We are talking FDA-approved gels that are accessible to professionals and completely safe to apply. In fact, there are several options for getting whiter teeth. The most common method of tooth- whitening involves over-the-counter products that you can get at Walmart. These products vary in quality and safety because they aren’t regulated too closely. We encourage you to seek the advice of a professional before using any of these products. The highest quality of whitening treatments are those administered directly by licensed professionals. A good dentist can recommend the best gel for maximum results. When we talk
about gels that can whiten your teeth by 10 shades, those are the ones we’re referring to. You shouldn’t need constant professional tooth-whitening treatments. But your teeth can be re-stained and discolored over time, even if you brush regularly and don’t smoke or drink coffee. To give your teeth that extra touch-up, a dentist can provide you with advanced whitening kits that you can use at home. At W Dental, our entire focus is on overall wellness. We don’t just want to alleviate the pain that comes with toothaches and sensitivity; we want to help you feel good! And to do this, we can help you feel better about that universal indicator of happiness: your smile. If you think we can help you with that, please don’t hesitate to ask!
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Where Wellness Begins with a Smile!
They swell. I f you notice swelling or a lump, it’s probably an abscess due to food debris getting stuck beneath the gums. This can be prevented by adequate flossing, but food sometimes sneaks by, to the horror of your gums.
Repeat after me: Gums are friends.
Say it back again.
You are in a lifelong, committed friendship with your gums, and you should always take care of your friends. Gums are vulnerable and temperamental, but they perform the vital task of holding your teeth in place. You might think that firm, pink flesh is non- communicative, but it says a lot. Your gums may be waving a giant flag at you that reads, HELP. But not in English, in gum-speak. How can you tell? They look receded. If they’re retreating further up your teeth, you may be brushing too aggressively. Your gums know their job, and they don’t need to be manhandled like that. They bleed easily. A classic telltale. Usually it indicates gum disease, gingivitis, or a vitamin C deficiency. The latter is an easier fix: Just consume more citrus! But the former two require professional help.
They change color. This is less a distress signal and more like a violent, unbridled scream. Color change in your gums could indicate the following:
• • • •
Bacterial infection Viral infection Fungal infection
Cancer
These require immediate attention. If you notice any of the above signals from your gums, contact us for an appointment right away.
Laugh Out
Ingredients:
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1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon maple syrup
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1 cup blueberries
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2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped
Directions:
1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top. 3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.
Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
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Where Wellness Begins with a Smile!
Open: Mon-Wed: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thurs: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat-Sun: Closed
7614 Culebra Rd., Suite 103 San Antonio, TX 78251
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE:
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Summer: A Season for Wellness
Audiobooks Your Family Will Love Are All Tooth-Whitening Products Created Equal?
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Do You Speak Gum? Sensational Summer Salad
Yellowstone: Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are
This summer, skip the expensive hustle and bustle of an overcrowded theme park. After a vacation like that, you’ll feel like you need another. As far as getaway destinations go, Yellowstone National Park, sprawling across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, is a little more expansive. More than 3 million visitors flock to its astonishing peaks, multicolored pools, and dramatic geothermal geysers each year, but as you travel across Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, it’s unlikely you’ll see much of them. And the sheer variety of unparalleled activities to explore means fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, the most famous geothermal geyser in the world, with eruptions averaging a whopping 130 vertical feet. Or if it’s majesty and exploration you’re itching
for, hike one of the many trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The views, with clay cliff faces and tree-covered mountains in every direction, are unlike any other. Also, be sure to investigate the Grand Prismatic Spring, which, besides its otherworldly rainbow waters, is known for being the largest hot spring in the U.S. For many, though, the biggest draw of the park is the wildlife. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land. It houses more mammals than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, 150 species of birds, and huge populations of native fish, to name a few. Just driving around the park, you’re apt to see moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, and, if you’re lucky, grizzly bears, mountain lions, or wolves.
Go boating, catch a fish, scale a mountain, ride a horse — the things to do vary as much as the breathtaking landscape. If you’re looking for an affordable, relaxed, and wide- open family vacation this summer, Yellowstone is a no-brainer.
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