Check out our latest newsletter!
THE WELLNESS
REPORT
March 2018
770-965-3048
•
www.JonesSmiles.com
•
THE PRIVILEGE OF PUTTING PATIENTS AT EASE Meet Colleen Hornbuckle, Our Scheduling Coordinator!
As the scheduling coordinator here at Jones Smiles, I often get to be the very first point of contact for our wonderful patients. From the thousands of apprehensive first-time patients I’ve spoken to over the phone for more than two years at the practice, I know better than most just how terrified many people are of the dentist. I can’t tell you the number of calls I’ve received from patients holding back tears, ashamed to have neglected their teeth for so many years. Maybe they’re suffering with persistent, nagging pain, or they can barely stand to look at their smile in the mirror. Some just need a regular checkup or cleaning, but they are struck with crippling anxiety at the mere mention of dental treatment. Whatever their reason for calling in, I love doing everything I can to put patients at ease. I immediately let them know that Jones Smiles is nothing like the dental offices they’ve visited before. It feels great to tell every patient, with 100 percent certainty, that they’re going to receive the highest-quality and most comfortable treatment they’ve ever experienced. If they’re still scared, I invite them to stop by for a visit with no strings attached. I’ll say hello, show them around the treatment rooms, and introduce them to a few of the friendly people who work here. Within minutes, even the most hesitant of patients start to relax and breathe easy. When you’re genuinely treated like family from the moment you walk in, it’s difficult to stay anxious. Jones Smiles is just that kind of place.
our office is because our entire team
treats one another like a family. We’ve built trust and respect over years of working together, everyone collaborating to create a truly unique experience. When I’m not at the office, I try to spend as much time as possible outside, hiking or traveling with my husband. Though I’m originally from New York, I’ve fallen in love with the natural beauty of Georgia over the past few years. I try to stay present in whatever I’m doing, whether it’s drawing, painting, writing poetry, or meditating. This month, I’m excited to take a trip to the Outer Banks off the coast of North Carolina. I’m determined to do yoga on the beach, hopefully catching as many sunrises and sunsets as possible. Since I’m often one of the first people at Jones Smiles to see a new patient and one of the last people to wave goodbye as they leave, I get to see some pretty amazing transformations. Many people come in hunched over, self-conscious about their smiles, only to depart after treatment with a newfound confidence. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that process and to make our patients’ lives just a little better in my own way. I can’t imagine a better place to be. – Colleen Hornbuckle
Of course, such a kind and easygoing atmosphere doesn’t happen by accident. The reason our patients feel like family in
770-965-3048 • 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.thenewsletterpro.com
WAIT — SCREEN TIME IS GOOD FOR KIDS? How a Balanced Media Diet Bolsters Child Development
If you Google the effects of screen time on children, you’re sure to be bombarded with horror stories. Numerous articles claim that, beginning in infancy, the more time a child spends in front of a TV, phone, or computer, the worse their developmental outcomes will be. At first glance, the research is utterly conclusive. It seems we should throw out every TV in our house, smash our kids’ smartphones, and usher our children into the great outdoors as soon as possible. But what most of these studies fail to take into account is the content of the electronic media. If a child spends two hours a day bingeing episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” or screaming obscenities into a headset while playing “Call of Duty,” it’s going to negatively impact their experience of the world along with their mental and physical health. But not all content is created equal. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended strict limits on electronic engagement for kids, following the old line of thinking that any kind of screen time would be better spent climbing a tree or running in the backyard. But in October of 2016, they offered new recommendations for parents. You know brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day is essential to maintaining your oral health. What’s open to more debate, though, is which tool is better at cleaning your teeth: manual or mechanical brushes? The American Dental Association (ADA) states that both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque. But other clinical trials suggest positive results for people who switched to electric brushes. When the ADA surveyed 16,000 patients who’d replaced their manual with mechanical brushes, over 80 percent reported improved oral cleanliness. While the debate has yet to be settled, you might personally enjoy some of the added features of an electric toothbrush. TIMED BRUSHING Most electric toothbrushes have timers, which encourage you to brush for a set amount of time, usually two minutes. When you press the power button, the toothbrush begins to vibrate and will continue to vibrate for two minutes. This feature takes out the guesswork and makes it easy to brush your teeth for the recommended time. For children who try to get out of brushing at every chance, the timer can turn brushing into more of a game and less of a chore. Electric or Manual?
For infants and young toddlers, the research still sides pretty heavily against the use of iPads and television. Before 18 months of age, a child lacks the cognitive capabilities allowing them to apply the lessons of technology to real life, and even after that, the APP recommends that media consumption should be limited to “high-quality programming, such as the content offered by Sesame Workshop and PBS.” But for kids ages 5 and up, parents should avoid banning screen time outright, but function as their child’s media mentor. Instead of decrying time spent building complex structures in “Minecraft” as hours that could be spent on the soccer field, we should set expectations and boundaries to ensure that children can deepen their experience of the world through media, not hamper it. The problem starts not with the screen itself, but when the consumption of media becomes problematic, replacing regular face-to-face interactions and physical activity. But with a balanced media diet, kids can have the best of both worlds.
Perks of a Powered Toothbrush
MORE COMFORT If you have arthritis or dexterity difficulties, an electric toothbrush’s ability to vibrate on its own removes some of the pressure from your hands, making brushing a more comfortable and manageable experience. IMPROVED EFFICIENCY An electric toothbrush can move much more quickly and precisely than your hand alone, so you’ll be able to cover more surface area in the same amount of time and potentially remove more plaque. An electric toothbrush also discourages brushing too hard — the extra pressure on the brush will make the vibrations noisy and uncomfortable. If you’re looking for an electric brush, you’ll find a wide range of options, from SoniCare and Oral B’s standard products to Quip’s sleek, stylish subscription-based model. Oral-B’s Oscillating-Rotating-Pulsating Power Toothbrush line recently became the first electric toothbrush to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Most electric toothbrushes are rechargeable and have removable tops that you can change every few months as the bristles start to wear.
So, what’s the bottom line? If an electric toothbrush gets you to brush more often and more effectively, it’s the right tool for you.
2 • www .JonesSmiles. com
BOX OFFICE BRACES
Movie stars are far from pictures of perfection. Acting skills and public relations can always be brushed up, but what happens when a celebrity’s smile isn’t IMAX-ready? More stars have needed orthopedic correction over the course of their careers than you might think. Here are our picks for the top celebrity ortho patients! DAKOTA FANNING Actor and model Dakota Fanning has appeared in movies and television shows since she was a child. During her career, the “Twilight” antagonist went through extensive orthodontic repair, requiring multiple sets of braces. Even vampires care about their smiles! EMMA WATSON Starting your career as a child actor presents numerous challenges, especially because your body is changing. Watson has openly talked about her struggle to maintain her body image while going through adolescence. “I had terrible skin at one point and had to wear braces at another,” she reflected in 2012. “When you’re growing, your body is still figuring itself out.” It’s a valuable observation for any young person considering braces. Orthodontics for the Stars
TOM CRUISE Cruise is proof that getting the perfect smile in your adult life is far from impossible. At age 40, the Hollywood star donned a pair of ceramic brackets. Not only were his braces subtle, but he only had to wear them a few months. That’s a small price to pay to ensure his trademark grin stays paparazzi-perfect for years to come. RYAN LEE He may not be the biggest star on this list, but Lee’s dedication to orthopedic authenticity deserves special mention. Lee is best known for his role as Cary in J.J. Abram’s 2011 thriller “Super 8.” Both Lee and the character he played in “Super 8” wore braces.
The only problem was that the movie was set in the late ’70s, requiring the young actor to ditch his modern bands for bulkier, period- accurate braces. Worse still, the
braces were props, not actual dental supports, meaning Lee had to put his realignment on hold until after filming. Now that’s commitment!
ZESTY ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
SUDOKU
For a lighter take on enchiladas, go carb-free by swapping tortillas for zucchini!
Ingredients
• 4 large zucchini • 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
• 2 teaspoons cumin • 2 teaspoons chili powder • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken • 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 large onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 can enchilada sauce
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Saute chicken for 2 minutes, then add 1 cup of the enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini lengthwise. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. 3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!
Adapted from delish.com.
770-965-3048 • 3
7330 Spout Springs Road, Suite C15 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 www.JonesSmiles.com 770-965-3048
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
How Colleen Puts Our Patients at Ease PAGE1
When Screen Time Is Good for Kids What You’ll Prefer About Electric Toothbrushes PAGE2
4 Celebrities With Braces Go Carb-Free for Dinner PAGE3
The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers PAGE4
EARTH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER DISPLAYS Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April.
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March.
THE NETHERLANDS Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid- March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips. WASHINGTON, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness
Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.
4 • www .JonesSmiles. com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.thenewsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker