Take a look at our April newsletter!
THE
BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-231-7755 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | APRIL 2024
INSIDE OUR OFFICE’S CULTURE OF JOY, TEAMWORK, AND CELEBRATION CREATING SMILES BEYOND THE CHAIR
While a dental office might not seem like the most fun workplace, our team makes it look like it. April 1 is International Fun Day at Work, but it isn’t just a day on the calendar for us; it’s an ongoing celebration of the unique, close-knit family culture we’ve nurtured within these walls. Our team is intentionally small. We want to protect our close-knit group, and I’m positive you’d be hard-pressed to find a team as close as ours anywhere else. We’re not just colleagues; we’re a family. This camaraderie extends beyond office hours, as we have group chats planning our next coffee run or sharing cookies and doughnuts just because someone felt like baking the night before or was about to pass by a bakery. Following a remodel last year, our space now boasts a roomy break area decked out in fun pink and cream tiles, with a large table at its heart. This break room has become our sanctuary, where we celebrate birthdays with cakes and gifts, and even the newest family members — our employees’ babies — frequently visit and are showered with attention.
Meanwhile, outside the office, we make a point to strengthen our bonds even further with one another and our families. Annual holiday parties, although often belatedly celebrated in January, are a highlight. Whether it’s hitting a round of golf, bowling, or engaging in a fiercely competitive escape room challenge, these gatherings are cherished. At our last escape room night, I’m not ashamed to say that the women’s team obliterated our all-guys team. We couldn’t beat their impressive escape time and couldn’t even make it out of the room on our own. What can I say? They’re a force to be reckoned with! The women on our team also often enjoy a girls’ night out without me, strengthening their own connections over dinner and manicures. Our most memorable event to date? A Zoom murder mystery during COVID-19. With each team member playing a character, our living rooms transformed into stages for intrigue and laughter. I continue to keep these events going because I know these moments of shared joy and friendly competition are invaluable. These experiences aren’t just for fun; they’re the foundation of our office’s morale. On challenging days, the memory of laughter and teamwork carries us through. Our patients recognize this unity, too, stepping into an office where warmth and genuine care are as evident as our professional expertise. My philosophy is simple: Life at the dental office should be more than just appointments and procedures. It’s about creating a family environment where everyone — team members and patients alike — feels at home. Whether we’re celebrating a football game in Bengals jerseys or donning costumes for Halloween, these sparks of unexpected fun keep our spirits high and our bonds strong. Creating a joyful, connected team environment has been my mission since day one. As we navigate the highs and lows of our profession, these moments of shared laughter and support remind us why we love what we do. Here’s to many more years of smiles, both inside the office and out.
513-231-7755 • 1
Overcome Age-Related Dental Problems DENTAL CARE STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and our oral health is no exception. While natural aging processes do affect dental health, several age-related factors can have a significant impact on our teeth and gums. For seniors, understanding these issues and adopting appropriate dental care practices is crucial to maintaining oral health and overall well-being. COMMON AGE-RELATED DENTAL ISSUES One of the most common conditions affecting seniors is dry mouth, often a side effect of medications. Many prescriptions disrupt the oral microbiome and reduce saliva production, leading to a condition known as xerostomia, or dry mouth. Saliva plays a vital role in neutralizing bacteria; when its production decreases, the risk of dental diseases increases significantly. Additionally, seniors may face challenges maintaining their dental hygiene due to cognitive issues such as dementia, making it difficult to remember to brush and floss regularly. Also, conditions like diabetes and heart disease can exacerbate oral health problems due to the inflammation they cause throughout the body. HOW TO KEEP YOUR SMILE HEALTHY Despite these challenges, it’s essential to recognize that aging doesn’t automatically mean poor oral health. Regular dental visits can help identify potential issues early and provide guidance on how to address them. We would never suggest you stop taking your medication. Instead, we’d help you find solutions to mitigate the side effects. Options such as prescription mouthwash, more frequent dental cleanings, and increased hydration can help maintain a healthy oral environment. With proper care, it’s possible for seniors to keep all their original teeth well into their later years. We see it all the time! But it’s important to note that dental restorations, such as crowns and fillings, require attention over time. These are not designed to last a lifetime and may need replacement if they crack or wear down. Also, gum recession over the years might necessitate redoing a crown to address any resulting sensitivity. If you’re a senior or care for someone who is, and you have concerns about maintaining oral health amidst these common challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional advice. Scheduling regular dental visits is a proactive step toward ensuring your golden years are accompanied by a healthy, radiant smile.
Be the Parents Who Are Prepared CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR ANY SITUATION To be proactive in life is to be successful! As a parent, planning ahead must become second nature if we want our children and families to stay strong in the face of adversity. While many good parenting tips are out there, the smartest is creating an emergency kit to help out in any scenario. An emergency kit will have everything you and your family may need during an emergency, such as having to stay inside for longer than usual or the electricity goes out. Each family’s kit will vary depending on their kids’ individual needs. It’s vital to have all these things collected before the trouble begins, stored in a container, and kept in a safe and easily accessible location in case of an emergency. Making a family emergency kit can also be fun for the family to do together.
These are the necessary steps to create a toolkit:
1. You will need a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a list of key items to include in a kit: CDC.gov/childrenindisasters/ checklists/kids-and-families.html .
3. Go shopping for the appropriate items you need, then check them off the list as you put them into your emergency kit.
4. Place an updated copy of your checklist inside your large plastic bin or box once you put your kit together to know what is inside the kit and to find your checklist easily. Keeping your family safe should be a top priority at all times. It is so important to teach preparation skills to our children at a young age so they can be ready and thrive through life’s most turbulent moments.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
Be Sure to Follow These Steps!
YOUR 4-WEEK SPRING-CLEANING CALENDAR Spring-cleaning can be overwhelming. From the kitchen counter to the ceiling fan, there’s a lot of ground to cover. But there’s a trick to make it easier: Breaking down the work into quick, doable tasks spread over four weeks. WEEK 3: THE BATHROOM You’ll want to begin by removing the grime from the showerhead and sanitizing the curtain. The curtain can be scrubbed and air-dried in the sun. Sanitize the shower and sink, then shine the fixtures.
WEEK 1: THE LIVING ROOM The start of every journey begins with a single step, and that step is acquiring and prepping supplies. Wash out buckets, empty vacuum bags, throw microfiber cloths in the wash, clean mops, and shake out brooms. Next, it’s time to clean the light fixtures. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dust and debris. Then dunk the cloth in soapy water, wring it out, and scrub the light fixture covering the bulb until it shines — just make sure you turn the lights off first. Once you’ve finished the lights, head to the bookshelves. Dust the tops and wipe down the sides. Make sure to wipe down any pictures or framed art on the wall. Lastly, move the furniture and vacuum underneath. WEEK 2: THE KITCHEN Clean the dishwasher filter first. Devote the next two days to getting the stove to sparkle, including ridding the vent of grease. Wipe down the countertops and the cabinets. Clean out the microwave and wipe down any other countertop appliances. Congratulations, week two is over!
For the toilets, get under the rim with a toilet brush and give the much-ignored back some love, too. Now that the toilet’s shining, it is the perfect opportunity to get the floor. Take a little extra time to get the baseboards. WEEK 4: THE BEDROOM Clean the bedrooms from top to bottom. Now is a good time to wash your pillows and air-dry them. Bedroom ceiling fans can build up a lot of gunk over the winter. An easy way to clean them is by pulling a pillowcase around the blades and pulling them back. Thoroughly clean the windows with glass cleaner or a homemade mixture of vinegar and
water, and remember to clean the window tracks. Lastly, test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
HEARTY LENTIL SOUP
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
WHO WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO OWN A CAR? Not only was President Theodore Roosevelt the first president to own a car, but he apparently was also the first president to be submerged in a submarine, the first to have a telephone in his home, and the first to entertain an African American, Booker T. Washington, in the White House. WHAT IS THE ONLY MAMMAL THAT CAN’T JUMP? Unlike every mammal on the planet, elephants cannot jump because all the bones in their legs point downward. In order to jump, we need to bend our legs and propel us off the ground. Sorry, elephants! HOW MANY PAINTINGS ARE IN THE LOUVRE MUSEUM? There are 70,000 art pieces at the Louvre in Paris, spanning over 650,000 square feet throughout the property. It was actually calculated that if you were to look at every work for 30 seconds without rest, it would take 100 days! WHO FIRST FLEW CROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN? Despite landing in a bog, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown were the first people to fly nonstop across the Atlantic on June 14–15, 1919, a 16-hour flight.
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced 2 cups dry lentils 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
513-231-7755 • 3
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
513-231-7755 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD., STE. A CINCINNATI, OH 45255
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
How We Build Bonds and Boost Morale
Equip Your Family With an Emergency Kit
Maintain a Bright Smile in Your Senior Years
3
Tackle Spring-Cleaning With a Week-by-Week Plan
Your Monthly Need-to-Knows
Hearty Lentil Soup
4
Cincinnati’s Calendar Is Packed!
April Adventures Await! FLOWERS, FELINES, AND FIREWORKS GALORE Welcome to our exciting April event lineup, packed with memorable experiences for everyone! From the vibrant “Tulip Mania” at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, offering an explosion of floral beauty, to the serene and playful Cat Yoga at the Animal Adoption Foundation, there’s something to captivate all interests. Plus, light up your Reds weekends with awe-inspiring Fireworks Fridays at the Great American Ball Park. Dive into this month’s calendar for a blend of nature, relaxation, and exhilarating sports entertainment. Don’t miss out on the fun and festivities this April!
ZOO BLOOMS April 1–30
CAT YOGA Saturday, April 20, 4–5 p.m. Animal Adoption Foundation Facebook.com/AnimalAdoptionFoundation Unwind with whiskers and stretches at the Animal Adoption Foundation’s April Cat Yoga event on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. Experience the joy and calm of yoga with a twist — practice your poses alongside friendly cats! Led by a professional instructor, this unique class promises relaxation and fun for a good cause. With all proceeds benefiting shelter animals, it’s the perfect way to
CINCINNATI REDS FIREWORKS FRIDAYS Recurring every other Friday starting April 5 Great American Ball Park MLB.com/reds/tickets/specials/fireworks-friday Ignite your Reds spirit with Fireworks Fridays! Experience the thrill of the game and then enjoy a dazzling fireworks display lighting up the sky. Whether it’s a family night out or an evening with friends, Fireworks Fridays at the Reds games are unforgettable. This spring, you can experience the action and the awe-inspiring show that follows. For the 2023 season’s schedule, including opponents, dates, and times, visit the MLB website. Make your weekends memorable with every pitch, hit, and burst of color!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden CincinnatiZoo.org/events/zoo-blooms
Experience the splendor of spring at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden during Tulip Mania as part of Zoo Blooms! Witness an enchanting explosion of color with one of the Midwest’s largest tulip displays alongside over a million daffodils, hyacinths, flowering trees, shrubs, and more. Marvel at the vibrant hues of over 100,000 tulips and a breathtaking array
of blooming trees and shrubs. Be sure to also visit Tunes & Blooms on Thursday nights in April for free concerts in the garden!
support a great cause. Entry is $10 per person — please bring your own mat. RSVP today, as space is limited!
4 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator