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WINTER 2025
1109 S. Park Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320
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caringmoderndentistry.com
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(336) 342-0889
Dr. Ricker’s Here to Help! Surgery With a Smile
We’re always looking for ways to provide more for our patients. We want you to feel comfortable receiving treatment, happy with your experience in our office, and proud to flash your smile to everyone you come across. We’re able to deliver such a consistently exceptional experience due in large part to our phenomenal team. We’re excited to introduce you to Dr. Christopher Ricker, an endodontic and oral surgery specialist. Dr. Ricker’s passion for dentistry first sprouted when he was young. He spent a lot of time at the dentist, receiving orthodontic treatment and coming in for regular checkups, and it was always a great experience for him. While many kids fear the dentist, Dr. Ricker looked forward to his appointments. It may have helped that his childhood dentist created amazing balloon animals for him, but his appreciation for dentistry was solidified during these early years. As Dr. Ricker explored college, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. He considered dental and medical school but settled on dentistry after realizing that it had much more of a family feel. He wanted to work in a small practice where he could interact and make a difference with his patients. He finished his undergraduate studies and attended dental school at the
Medical University of South Carolina. After graduating, he attended a one-year program where he did a hospital-based general practice residency in South Carolina before working as a general dentist for five years. Dr. Ricker gained incredible experience during those five years, but gravitated toward oral surgery, leading him to go back and specialize in periodontics and implants at Virginia Commonwealth University. He’s been practicing as a periodontist focused solely on surgery ever since! There are many different elements to Dr. Ricker’s work. The first part of periodontics is treating gum disease, which is the art and science of saving teeth. He provides education and treatment to help those experiencing gum disease. The next part of his role is treating gum recession, often through surgery to ensure it doesn’t worsen. He is also heavily involved in implant dentistry, which can be a game-changer for patients. Those eligible can replace missing or bad teeth with implants that look and function like real teeth. Implants can help you maintain 90% of your chewing capacity, whereas removable dentures only have about 25% capacity compared to regular teeth. One of the best parts of working with Dr. Ricker is that he always puts an extra focus on comfort and education.
He knows that fear and confusion are common feelings amongst patients in a dental office, and he wants to offset them by providing helpful information that allows patients to make informed decisions comfortably and confidently. Dr. Ricker does incredibly high-quality work, and if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask! While Dr. Ricker loves his job, he also maintains an active life outside of work. He has a 9-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son whom he hopes to bring to every national park with his wife before the kids become adults. Their family loves to hike, camp, ski, and eat pizza! Dr. Ricker is also an avid musician who loves to listen to live music and play whenever he can. We’re so glad Dr. Ricker is on our team. He’s here to help if you have any questions about your gums or are considering implants! -Dr. Adams
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Providing quality dental care for you and your family
WHISKING UP NEW TRADITIONS THIS THANKSGIVING
Fill Your Holiday With Gratitude and Games
The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper
describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for. TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show.
A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
“Excellent service, professional attitude, very exact in treatments.” –JON P. “I consider Dr. Adams and his staff as the ultimate professionals. I am always treated like I am their only patient.” –BARBARA “This is absolutely the best dental practice ever! I’ve been a patient for around 20 years, and Dr. Adams is not only kind and compassionate, but incredibly knowledgeable and gentle. He explains your options, pros and cons, and lets you know what he’s doing and why. Assistants, hygienists, office staff have become friends!” –KAREN S. OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST!
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Providing quality dental care for you and your family
Implants Aren’t Just Strong They’re a Game-Changer for Your Smile
Many Americans worry about the need for dentures as they grow older. They may have interacted with an older relative who wore them and complained about how the dentures would slip when they tried to talk or eat. When dentures are made correctly, fit the individual’s mouth well, and are cared for properly, they can be a great solution for those in need. However, some people may want to explore something more permanent that allows them to continue eating as they typically would or fall asleep without needing to remove a dental appliance from their mouth. Implants may be the solution you’re looking for! Implants are becoming the go-to answer for missing teeth. They’re essentially small, titanium posts inserted into the jawline and capped
with a crown that matches your natural teeth’s shape, color, and texture. This is about as close as you can get to putting a brand-new tooth in your mouth that retains the same aesthetic and function of your natural teeth. When compared to other dental treatment options, implants stand out. The most significant benefit of choosing implants is that they are a permanent solution. They are surgically implanted into your gums, meaning they don’t come out when you sleep, eat, or do anything else. Implants will look and function exactly like your natural teeth, giving you the confidence to smile big! The benefits of implants actually go beyond what you see and feel. Implants help stimulate jawbone growth and prevent bone loss, maintaining your
facial structure and oral health. Plus, implants are long-lasting. If you take good care of them, they should keep their appearance and function for the rest of your life. While implants sound like the best option for most people, not everyone will be an eligible candidate for treatment. Implants require a strong jawbone; those who have experienced significant bone loss will require bone grafts before the implant. Those with chronic health conditions or who smoke will experience reduced implant success rates. There’s also the cost and time commitment involved, as this treatment is a multimonth process. If you’re interested in implants or have questions, please let us know during your next appointment!
Have a Laugh!
TURKEY AND SWEET POTATO MASH FOR DOGS
This nutritious, easy-to-make mash is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins to keep your pup feeling its best. It’s also a tasty meal!
Ingredients
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed • 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground turkey • 1/2 cup frozen peas
Directions
1. In a saucepan, boil sweet potatoes for 15–20 minutes until soft. 2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook ground turkey until fully browned. 3. Add peas and stir. 4. In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes and mix in turkey mixture. 5. Portion into servings appropriate for your pup and let them feast!
Inspired by MyDogRecipe.com
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Providing quality dental care for you and your family
1109 S. Park Drive Reidsville, NC 27320
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
caringmoderndentistry.com
(336) 342-0889
This Issue
1. 2.
Compassion Meets Precision in Dr. Ricker’s Chair
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
Our Patients Say It Best
3.
Your Smile Deserves More Than a Temporary Fix
Turkey and Sweet Potato Mash for Dogs
4.
Blame Science: Your Brain Isn’t Built for Mondays
The Monday Slump Is Real …
And It’s Biological
If you wake up on Monday feeling like you got hit by a truck, you’re not alone and certainly not imagining it. The “Monday scaries” are more than a funny meme; they’re rooted in biology. Two days of relaxed routines, late wake-ups, and maybe a little indulgence throw off your internal body clock. That weekend shift in your sleep schedule can feel like jet lag come Monday morning, making it harder to wake up, focus, or function at full capacity. STRESS HORMONES SPIKE ON MONDAYS. Adding fuel to the fire, your body naturally produces more cortisol, the primary stress hormone, early in the day to help you wake up and move. However, research shows cortisol levels are often higher on Monday mornings. You’re not just waking up; you’re mentally bracing for everything the week is about to throw at you: meetings, deadlines, commutes, and inboxes stacked like Jenga towers. Your brain senses a threat, even if it’s just a packed calendar. WEEKEND WHIPLASH WRECKS YOUR MOMENTUM. The weekend is a break from responsibility. You can lounge, laugh, socialize, and embrace your most authentic self. Then
Monday shows up and demands a complete 180. That stark contrast of freedom from structure creates mental whiplash. You have to shift gears without a warm-up lap, and your brain rebels. It’s not that Mondays are objectively worse; they just highlight how much better weekends feel. MISERABLE MONDAYS IS A MYTH. Surprisingly, research suggests people don’t report being significantly unhappier on Mondays than on other weekdays. The problem isn’t Monday itself. It’s our perception of it. We idealize the weekend and villainize Monday, giving it a bad rap it might not fully deserve. The dread is often psychological, built on expectations rather than experience. HOW TO MAKE MONDAYS BETTER. There’s no magic wand, but there are strategies. Try keeping your weekend wake-up time close to your weekday time to minimize sleep disruption. Wrap up your workweek with a to-do list for Monday so you’re not walking in blind, and schedule something you enjoy for Monday: a fancy coffee, a midday walk, or a catch-up call with a friend. A small pleasure can take the sting out of a stressful start.
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Providing quality dental care for you and your family
Warm Up Your Smile Before Year’s End… And Make the Most of Your 2025 Benefits! A mug of cocoa, a warm blanket, and a good book; that’s the way to spend a chilly November evening. But before you settle in, it’s time to make sure your dental benefits aren’t slipping away! At midnight on Dec. 31, any unused coverage disappears for good. Booking now means you can enjoy the season knowing you’ve made the most of your benefits. It also means that you’ll have your choice of appointment times before the holiday rush arrives. This time of year gets busy, so make your appointment today. Then, you can get back to your blanket, your cocoa, and your book. You’ve paid for benefits all year. Don’t lose them like the last lonely marshmallow at the bottom of your cocoa mug! Give us a call and head into the New Year with a healthy smile and no surprise dental bills.
5 Cozy Reasons to Book Before It’s Too Late
Cold nights and warm drinks are great, but using your dental benefits before they vanish is even better. Here are five good reasons to book now: • More appointment times before the December dash. • Avoid the year-end scramble (and the parking lot chaos). • Use the benefits you’ve been paying for, they’re not meant to be decorative. • Smile big for holiday photos without worrying about “cookie teeth.” • Start the new year with zero dental bills and plenty of cocoa money. Call now, and you can spend the rest of the season in your slippers instead of the waiting room ... unless you want to wear your slippers here. We won’t judge!
(336) 342-0889 Call to schedule your appointment today!
1109 S. Park Drive Reidsville, NC 27320 Visit us Online at CaringModernDentistry.com
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