Livingston Dental - August 2019

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

August 2019

Life With Livingston Dental

e G e n

In Pursuit of an Education

My Schooling Journey

in a few days. Thank goodness they take more after their mother than their father in their studying habits. Jeanelle has been a great example for our kids of what’s possible with education. She has her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and has also done work toward her doctorate. She is very well educated and has always been an exceptional student, maintaining a 4.0 just about all the way through her master’s program. Jeanelle came from a well-educated family with many degrees among them; her father was a teacher, her sister has a higher degree, and her brother went to law school. I, on the other hand, had to study every waking moment to make it into the top 25 of my class. In the history of my family, no one I can remember went on to post- secondary education. Though I didn’t discover it early in life, my love for learning drew me to dentistry and continues to drive me toward improvement.

I realized I needed a different approach if I truly wanted to be a dentist. I began applying myself to my studies and doing all I could to not only pass classes but also do well in them. In dental school, two of my classmates possessed pure photographic

RAYMOND HIGH WHERE DR. LIVINGSTON ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL

memories: You could hand them a sheet of paper full of text, and they would hand it back to you a few minutes later, able to quote it almost word for word. That bothered me to no end because I had to study everything in detail, repeatedly, to remember it. I couldn’t learn as quickly as they did, but I think as a result, I learned how to study to succeed in my education. At my high school reunion 25 years later, I encountered the surprised faces of many of my former classmates when I shared with them that I’m now a dentist. It was a gratifying bit of news to deliver. Luckily for Jeanelle and me, our kids have all been avid learners. Derek and Christine were always voracious readers from the time they were kids. They could go through a book a week, devouring 350-page novels

While school comes easily for some, that wasn’t the case for me. As a kid around this time of year, I was in a state of mourning with the anticipation of returning to school. While I did just well enough to slide into the next grade each year, I wasn’t an eager student. I never brought a book home and thought it was the teacher’s responsibility to teach me what I needed to know. My senior year of high school, I had a chemistry teacher named Mr. Anderson. Mind you, I still wasn’t a great student at this point, but I told Mr. Anderson I was thinking about going into dentistry. His response? He laughed. “Livingston — a dentist?” he said. He thought it amusing but unrealistic. I took his response as a challenge. I had done well enough in high school to go to college, and it was at that point that

Today, continuing education is wildly important to the process of being a

professional and providing up-to-date care to our patients. Even if it was a bit delayed, I’m glad I eventually found my love of learning.

1 Livingston Dental

Storing Your Summer Gear

Preparing for Next Year cover your patio furniture and tuck your bicycle and tools away, they are less likely to be damaged by animals or any harsh winter weather. STORING SUMMER ATTIRE Consider purchasing plastic storage tubs or boxes to put your clothes in. If you’re storing dresses, skirts, or any fancy clothing, plastic or nylon garment bags will help prevent them from getting dirty and wrinkly. Before you start piling your clothes in, be sure to wash and completely dry them. This helps prevent mold or mildew and keeps your clothes looking new when it’s time to take them out again. Also, it can be a good idea to place cedar sachets in with your clothes and around the neck of your hangers; the wood will keep away pesky insects without leaving bad smells behind.

Although winter seems like a distant prospect, it will be here before you know it. While many people are sad to see their summer clothes and gadgets get stored away until next season, it’s a good idea to start planning now. Taking the time to properly pack away summer gear is beneficial and can save you from unneeded worry next year. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO STORE SUMMER GEAR Properly organizing and storing your summer clothes will help them last longer and prevent you from aimlessly rummaging when searching for that perfect fall sweater or blouse. Likewise, when you STORING YOUR SUMMER GADGETS Outdoor items are more likely to get damaged as they endure the elements. When you’re storing rakes, shovels, or any other garden tools, make sure they’re washed, dried, and sharpened before putting them into your shed or garage. Patios should be cleaned off and given a fresh coat of wax, and outdoor furniture should be dusted, cleaned, and covered to keep the frost, snow, and rain off. Transforming the Way You Look and Feel

With Modern Restorative Dentistry

implant procedure: Before your dental surgeon places the implant, you’ll be instructed on your aftercare plan. Your implant will be placed, and as it’s healing, bone begins to grow around it, holding it firmly in place until it is as strong as your regular teeth. Because everyone is unique, healing and recovery varies from patient to patient. RESTORATION TRANSFORMATION At Livingston Dental, we perform procedures, like implants, in-office with state-of-the-art dental technology that informs our decisions and provides the most accurate treatment plans. We can tailor everything to your needs. You will leave our office with a smile you’ll want to show off. Whether you’ve had an injury or a dental disease, we are here to help restore the beauty and function of your teeth! Our restorative treatments include fillings, caps, dentures, bridges, implants, root canal therapy, and more. At Livingston Dental, you can feel confident that your smile will look and feel as good as ever!

A smile is one of the first things you notice about someone, and it’s often an important part of a first impression. If you don’t feel happy with yours, you might not be conveying how confident and wonderful you really are. The power of a great smile can be life changing, and it’s why restorative dentistry can give you a new lease on life. Take back control of your smile and take a step toward the confident person you are with restorative treatment. For a patient who wants to restore their smile, we offer restoration options like implants. Our team ensures they look and fit just right with the advanced dental technology available today. Dental implants are also practical, as they can replace missing, injured, or diseased teeth, allowing you to enjoy your favorite meals and activities with newfound confidence. DENTAL IMPLANTS The use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Here’s what you can expect with the dental

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Gone Camping

4 Things to Keep in Mind on Your Next Family Camping Trip

and a shovel nearby so you can quickly extinguish it when ready. Finally, remember to only build a fire as big as you need. A larger fire can be difficult to manage and keep under control.

While summer is winding down, families are looking to go on a few end-of-season adventures, camping trips included. Before you head out into the wilderness with your family, it’s important to be prepared. In fact, “be prepared” is the best piece of advice when it comes to braving the great outdoors. But what does being prepared entail? Here are four key tips.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY. Weather can change at a moment’s notice, and sometimes, it doesn’t give notice at all. Keep a close eye on the sky and monitor the weather on a radio. If a storm appears, seek shelter immediately and stay out of low-lying areas. When you’re in mountainous or hilly terrain, a little rain is all it takes for flash floods to occur. If you’re in a ravine when it starts raining, get out immediately.

HAVE A FIRST-AID KIT NEARBY. A good rule of thumb is to keep one in your car at all times. You never know when you’ll need it. Kids may get a few bumps and scrapes while out hiking, or you might encounter poisonous plants, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Having quick access to cold water, soap, antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol), and calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can keep infections at bay.

ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER. It’s a good idea to hike with a buddy and keep a whistle around your neck or in your pack. You never know what you might encounter or when you’ll need help. Hiking with kids is also a great time to teach them to recognize landmarks and be aware of their surroundings. If you have a digital camera or smartphone, show kids how to create a trail of digital breadcrumbs or pictures to help them find their way back to camp.

TEACH FIRE SAFETY. When you build a fire, especially with kids, teach them about fire safety. This includes building the fire itself. Pick a spot away from brush and overhanging branches and create a pit surrounded by rocks. Before lighting a fire, have a bucket of water

Puzzle Time! Senegalese

Lamb Skewers Ingredients

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

FOR THE ONIONS: • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

FOR THE LAMB: • 2 lbs trimmed leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 tbsp peanut oil, plus more for grilling • Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard • 1/2 tbsp agave nectar

• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • Salt and white pepper, to taste

Equipment • Bamboo skewers

Directions

1. In a bowl, coat lamb with 1 tbsp oil and generously season with salt and pepper. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave nectar. Toss in onions and season with salt and pepper.

COOL END LEAVES SCHOOL SUPPLIES TEACHERS

AUGUST CHILLY FALL SUMMER BACK CHILDREN

3. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium and oil the grates. 4. Thread lamb on skewers and grill for 6–8 minutes. 5. Serve alongside onions.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

on being named Top Dentist of Wyoming 2018!

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

Inside Back to School

Preparing Your Gear for Winter The Transformative Effects of Restorative Dentistry

Stay Safe While Camping Senegalese Lamb Skewers

3 Late Summer Hikes

3 of the Best Late Summer Hikes in Wyoming

Late summer offers up prime hiking and backpacking access in our region. Now that the snow has thawed more and revealed another side of the gorgeous landscape, take advantage of the opportunity for a day hike or a more challenging weekend backpacking trip. Here are a few ideas to get you started. BEGINNER: TOWER TRAIL An area sacred to Native Americans and the nation’s first national monument, Devils Tower contains hiking trails that provide an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Tower Trail is a popular 1.3-mile section that winds through a ponderosa pine forest and boulder field. You might notice small bundles or cloths attached to trees as you’re hiking; these are prayer cloths representing tribes’ spiritual connections to the land. Please respect this tradition and do not touch or remove the cloths. You may also spot wildlife on your visit, including birds, chipmunks, and possibly a golden eagle.

MODERATE: JENNY LAKE Located in Grand Teton National Park, this 7-mile loop takes you along Jenny Lake’s shore, set against the foot of the Tetons. Beautiful views are a given, and wildlife sightings are an added delight. Setting out earlier in the day for this hike is your best bet, as it is a popular route. CHALLENGING: CLOUD PEAK Aptly named for its tendency to hide among the clouds, Cloud Peak boasts a 23-mile trail with breathtaking views of alpine lakes. It can be a tough climb to the top, including sections of boulder fields, so you might consider tackling just a section of this trail or breaking it into two days and bringing backpacking gear. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness in Bighorn National Forest. Though snow should be clear in many areas, always check conditions before you go and make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. Happy hiking!

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