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July/August 2019
DOG DAYS
Memories of Man’s Best Friend
Summer took a little while to get started, but we’re certainly feeling the heat now. The hottest days of the season are called the “dog days of summer.” This has nothing to do with real dogs and is instead named after the rising of Sirius, the “dog star.” While the season might not be named for real canines, it inspired me to share some stories of the good dogs I’ve spent some of my days with. My mom loved pugs, so there was always a pug around when I was growing up. One of the last pugs we had in my childhood was named Misty. This dog would eat everything except for pickles or bananas, including things she really shouldn’t have eaten. Despite her questionable diet, Misty ended up living old enough to be blind and deaf. She was still a happy dog and able to get along just fine by following the wall and the placement of the furniture. That is until my mom decided to rearrange the furniture. Poor Misty got totally lost! Mom had to move all the furniture back to where it was before and left it alone for the rest of Misty’s life. Other than when I was in college and dental school, I’ve always had a dog. After Melody and I got married and had kids, it wasn’t long before we brought a dog into the house. Our first family dog was Barney. The boys named him, though not after the purple dinosaur. Some other children’s TV character they liked had the same name. Barney was a real gem. He was so patient with the boys, even when they were little. We never had to worry about the kids being around Barney. He loved them, even when they tried to tug on his ears. We’ve been fortunate to have some really good, mild- mannered dogs over the years. After Barney,
Izzy
Maizey
Marley
Maizey
Marley & Izzy (as a pup)
we had a golden retriever, Marley, and later a Bernese mountain dog named Izzy. Every dog we’ve had has been a big, fluffy, lovable, loyal, wonderful pet. Today, Melody and I share our house with a Bernedoodle named Maizey. She has the most
personality out of any dog we’ve ever had. We call her our cartoon dog because she’s a cross between Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh” and Kramer from “Seinfeld!” Maizey is funny and intelligent, which means she does tricks at the drop of a hat. But it also means she’s a little too smart for her own good sometimes. Maizey loves riding in the car. Not long ago, I called for her in the house, but she didn’t come running. I searched the whole house and the yard but couldn’t find her anywhere. I was afraid she’d gotten loose, so I hurried to the garage to get in the car and start searching the neighborhood. That’s when I spotted her
sitting in my car, just looking out the window! These kinds of shenanigans are the reason Maizey has her own Instagram account: @ MischiefWithMaizey. Dogs are amazing creatures. When I walk in the door after a long day, it feels good to be greeted by a dog who is so excited to see me. That’s the magic of dogs, I guess. They love and live in the moment. During these dog days of summer, be sure to give the dogs in your life an extra belly scratch. Having them around sure does make every day a little better. –Dr. Stuckey
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Hiking With Your Kids Watch Their World Expand With Every Step
Hiking has many benefits as a family activity, such as mental health improvement, strengthening your relationships, and experiencing new sights and discoveries together. It’s also great exercise, and you get plenty of quality time, fresh air, and sunshine. Here are three guidelines to help you and your kids have fun on your next hike. Encourage Their Curiosity One of the best ways to have your children learn about the world is letting them explore it. Being there for your children and encouraging them to ask questions about flowers, bugs, or animals you see on the trail will help them expand their vocabulary and learn how things work. When they learn they can explore independently and ask about the world around them, they’re gaining the confidence to teach themselves. Bring Along Some Tools of Discovery Getting your children to engage in nature while you’re out hiking can be as simple as bringing a magnifying glass along with you. Let your kids look at leaves, rocks, insects, or anything else you might come across on the trail. You can also bring binoculars to help them look at a bird that might be perched a little too high up. Another option is a bug holder to let your kids catch
smaller insects, such as grasshoppers or pill bugs, and give them a close-up look.
Keep Safety in Mind While you’re out on the trail, it’s essential to make sure that both
you and your family are safe. Wear breathable, noncotton material and sturdy shoes that don’t expose your toes. It’s important to dress according to the weather. For example, if the day is sunny, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Bring your kids’ favorite snacks and water bottles for everyone to stay hydrated. It’s crucial that you also bring a fully stocked first-aid kit in case someone is injured on the hike. Starting with one of your local hiking trails can be a rewarding way to spend the day with your kids. You can watch their excitement as they expand their world with new discoveries.
Congratulations, Michelle! The Jacobs Family Wins a Cedar Point Adventure Congratulations to the winner of our Cedar Point review/referral contest, Michelle Jacobs! She won a basket full of Cedar Point swag and a $1000 gift card. Michelle and her kids Jonah, Eva, Micah, and Joshua were all so excited when they came by the office to claim their prize. The kids were already eagerly planning their trip, and it sounded like the perfect start to summer vacation.
Aliza had her name drawn and won a Crest + Oral B Fun Pack. The fun pack has an electric toothbrush, toothpaste, anti-cavity fluoride, and floss picks all designed to support healthy dental hygiene! Kids Club Winner Congratulations to Aliza!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. We got a lot of entries, and we really appreciate all your support.
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The Effects of Sugar on Teeth
And Improving Your Enamel
Everyone knows that an excessive amount of sugar isn’t healthy, but many are unaware why sugar is bad for teeth. It might surprise you to know that sugar itself isn’t what hurts your teeth; it’s what happens after you consume it.
severity. If it has just started, using fluoride treatments can increase remineralization and build up enamel again. Another option is to receive a filling, which is a common treatment that fills the hole with various materials, such as porcelain or tooth-colored resins. When the cavity isn’t treated, it burrows deeper into the tooth, causing pain and tooth loss.
The Battle of the Mouth
Improving Remineralization
Our mouths are filled with bacteria, but don’t be alarmed because most of them are helpful rather than harmful. However, these helpful bacteria are at constant odds with those looking to destroy your enamel. Harmful oral bacteria feed on sugars, and when they do, they produce acid, which strips healthy minerals from your tooth enamel. This process is known as demineralization. Demineralization is continuously butting heads against another process called remineralization, which replaces destroyed minerals and strengthens the teeth. When someone eats a large quantity of sugars or starches, demineralization can happen more quickly and more often, and remineralization can’t keep up.
Making sure your teeth are exposed to constant minerals is the best method to strengthen your enamel. In addition to using fluoride rinses and toothpastes, keep an eye on your diet. Avoiding sugary foods and consuming fruits and vegetables with high fibers, cheeses and yogurts with calcium and phosphates, and black and green teas to repress harmful bacteria are all ways to improve remineralization.
Cavities
The constant destruction of the enamel by these acids creates a bacterial infection, which can eat away at your tooth until there is a hole, aka a cavity. Cavities can be treated in many ways depending on their
Don’t Miss Kids’ Day
Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
And Now for Something Completely Different
Have you heard about Kids’ Day? Once a month, Briarfield Dental Care throws a special celebration focused exclusively on our youngest patients. The office is transformed with fun decorations, the whole team gets dressed up, and there are lots of prizes for kids who come in to join the fun. Plus, we have special spin brushes and offers on sealants and mouthguards only available during our Kids’ Days.
Have you ever been in the mood for a certain kind of song that’s not your usual musical taste? That’s how I’ve been feeling recently, so I turned to the indie rock band Eels.
In fact, despite producing 12 studio albums, their most famous song is probably “My Beloved Monster,” which appeared in the animated DreamWorks movie “Shrek.”
Formed in California in 1995, the band members of Eels have changed a lot over the years, save for the founder, singer/ songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, who goes by the stage name “E.” He tends to write simple, catchy tunes that make you tap your feet. Eels’ music can get a little melancholy
When you hear their songs, it’s not hard to see why they’ve never gone mainstream. Their sound isn’t something you tend to hear on popular radio. It definitely has a certain quality about it, and I have to be in a certain type of mood to start playing one of their CDs. But when that lighter, happier mood strikes, there’s nothing like “Saturday Morning”, “Hey Man,” or, a dentist’s favorite song, “Novocaine for the Soul.”
July 25 - Shark Party
Aug. 15 - Western Cowboy/Cowgirl
Sept. 19 - Superhero
Oct.17 - Halloween Monster Mash
sometimes with songs about death or lost love, but usually, their sounds are lighter, hum-a-long type music that I really enjoy. I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon them. They’ve produced a lot of music, but they haven’t gathered a big following outside of California.
Nov. 21 - Border Battle (OSU vs MI)
If you want to listen to something different this summer, I recommend the album “Meet the Eels: Essential Eels, Vol. 1.” It has a lot of their greatest hits and it’s a great way to check out the unique sound of Eels.
Dec. 27 - New Years Party
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What’s Your Dog’s Name?
Hiking With Your Kids Who Won the Trip to Cedar Point?
Sugars Turned Acid
Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
Avoid the Summer Heat Somewhere Cool
Now in Network for Paramount Dental, an Affiliate of ProMedica CHILL OUT Relax in These Cool Destinations This Summer
As the scorching summer sun beats down, it’s hard to remember that just six months ago you were shivering through the winter, whether that meant a chilly 50 degrees F or bitter subzero temperatures. But if cooler temps sound like paradise, and a dip in the pool is no longer keeping you cool, it might be time to take a vacation somewhere chilly. Check out these three destinations to avoid the summer heat. Alaska No place says chilly quite like Alaska. Trips to Alaska can be expensive during this time of year, but when you step into that crisp air with a cool mountainous view, you’ll understand why it’s a popular summer voyage. Travelers can choose to fly or take a cruise ship, and many cities feature tourism-packed excursions. A few notable locations include Anchorage, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Denali National Park and Preserve. Iceland Just as its name suggests, Iceland can be the perfect destination for travelers yearning to get away from the unbearable summer heat. With
temperatures rarely exceeding 60 degrees F — the average high for
the country — packing is easy for this relaxing vacation. Take a relaxing dip in one of the country’s many hot springs or enjoy tremendous views of the fjords. Even
better, you can tour the country at any time because it’s sunny almost 24 hours a day. What could be better than a midnight hike around the fourth happiest country in the world? Norway Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to give up your skiing hobby! Venture off to Norway and experience some of their most popular summer ski resorts. After a day or two shredding the slopes, experience the popular Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo or choose between numerous outdoor and indoor exhibitions. Best of all, you won’t even break a sweat, as the average temperature in Norway’s hottest month barely hits 70 degrees F. Bordering Sweden and northern Finland, Norway can even be the beginning to a cool European tour this summer.
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