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PREMIER DENTAL NEWSLETTER
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LOVE OF ART How Art Influenced My Worldview and Creativity
I learned to draw when I was 7 years old, and since then, I’ve been in love with art. Drawing became a challenge that I looked forward to. Whenever something caught my eye, I wondered: “Can I draw that?” or “How do I draw that?” I started to look at the world very differently. I drew and doodled for my own entertainment, but my teachers at school noticed how much I enjoyed it. With their recommendation, I was placed in art classes instead of playing a musical instrument. By the time I went to college, art was just a part of me. I ended up taking several courses in art history, drawing, and painting. My college classes were more in-depth and demanded more of me. My first class, art history, gave me perspective about the art world, the different genres of art, and the masters who inhabited them. My main interest was not art history — I was more interested in the mechanics of art — but I fell in love with the works of several artists: Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Michaelangelo, Caravaggio, Picasso, and Klimt to name a few. I looked at their works and wondered how I could paint like that. How do I draw like that? What colors do I mix to get that effect? My next class introduced me to oil painting, and I was enthralled. It was a summer class, and the professor was good at getting the best out of us. We painted for three hours in the college art studio, and then he would assign us a project due the next day. This meant I was painting for several more hours once I left class. We would do different still-life paintings in the studio, and for later assignments, we had to pick out works by
various masters and duplicate them. He asked us to notice the layout, form, brush strokes, color, lighting, and movement
throughout the painting. For several weeks, damar varnish, linseed oil, and turpentine took residence under my fingernails and in my nose, and I felt like the studio was walking around with me. Today, we worry about proper ventilation and toxicity, but in those days, we only worried about painting. The fast and furious pace of the class focused me, and what I discovered only made me hungry for more. I went on to take a few more courses in drawing and painting, and then my other courses got in the way of learning more.
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MICHELE ROBERTA DENTAL ASSISTANT KARIN HYGIENISTS CHARLENE CHERYL PRACTICE MANAGER PETER
Replication by Dr. Gopal of Aubrey Beardsley’s, “The Climax”
But I set up a small art studio in my attic bedroom at home. It was a large room with five windows and plenty of light and ventilation. I challenged myself to paint whatever I felt like. Those paintings are gone now. I gave them away as gifts to other people, always assuming I would be painting forever. But my life went in a sharply different direction, and haven’t had the time to devote to any hobbies seriously. I did not, however, completely stop my connection with art. At various times during the years, I’ve taken up drawing again, at one point painting with acrylics and dabbling a little with watercolors. When Peter and I travel, we’ve always made it a point to visit art museums around the world. I’ve often felt Europe itself is an art museum — no need to enter a building!
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 25+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
A GUT FEELING Oral Bacteria’s Impact on Digestive Health
When deciding what to eat, most people consider factors like diet, flavor, and convenience. But an often-overlooked part of that decision is what the trillions of bacteria in our guts would benefit from most. Research shows that oral and gut health are influenced directly by the food we eat, as well as our dental hygiene!
“Gut health and mouth health are related,” says author and dentist Dr. Michelle Jorgensen. “You can look at your teeth to gain a lot of knowledge and information about what is going on in your gut. If you have gum disease or a problem with bacteria in your mouth, it’s usually a sign that things are going on with your gut biome as well.” Tooth decay and gum disease increase the risk of harmful oral bacteria, and studies have shown that oral bacteria can translocate to the gut, altering the local microbiota. A particularly nasty oral pathogen called porphyromonas gingivalis is known to damage teeth and supporting tissue and disrupt gut bacteria, causing inflammation throughout the body. Luckily, we can take proactive steps to contribute to our gut health, such as improving dental hygiene. Brushing our teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist regularly can prevent the build-up of harmful oral bacteria. Research shows that a diverse diet leads to increased diversity in gut bacteria and that the latter is associated with decreased obesity rates, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases. Studies also show that eating a variety of fiber-rich plants and nutrient-dense foods yields great benefits, whereas consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, or fatty red meats can have the opposite effect. Instead of a beer with dinner, how about an antioxidant green tea? Rather than a thick cut of beef, why not a serving of lean salmon? So, for your next meal, try eating something that both you and your gut enjoy!
Ancient Smiles Rediscovered WHY POMPEII’S TEETH WERE THE ENVY OF ANTIQUITY
famine or struggle. However, they did not have access to sugar or preservatives, which may have contributed to their effective dental hygiene. The inhabitants’ teeth also may have been primarily aided by what ultimately spelled their doom: Mount Vesuvius. The volcano was the source of fluoride in their water that strengthened their teeth and may have been their source of resilience against cavities and other dental malformations. Pompeii and Herculaneum were also notably wealthier than most cities in the Roman Empire, and their dental hygiene may have benefited as a result. After all, if they could afford better dental care, then perhaps it contributed to their overall remarkable oral hygiene. Whatever the causes, the facts are
In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in Southern Italy, erupted catastrophically. The eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and thousands of their inhabitants in ash and mud. Pliny the Younger, a Roman citizen who lived nearby, wrote an eyewitness account in letters he sent to a historian named Tacitus. In one of his letters, he wrote that the cloud from the volcano “looked mottled and dirty with the earth and ash it had carried up” and that the cloud “could best be described as like an umbrella pine, because it rose high up in a kind of trunk and then divided into branches.” Thanks to the efforts of historians and archaeologists, the remains of those who died as a result of the disaster are preserved forever, much like Pliny’s words. As a result of being buried by the volcanic ash and mud, the victims’ remains were encased in pumice shells. In the 1800s, archaeologists poured plaster into these shells, creating sturdy replicas of the bodies to display for tourists and
historians alike. Fast-forward to today, archaeologists use modern technology like scanning and 3D-printing the plaster casts, CT scanning, and biochemical analysis of skeletons to uncover the victims’ diets and dental hygiene. When the remains from Pompeii were analyzed, researchers discovered their teeth were remarkably clean and contained fewer cavities than their modern counterparts. Dental surgeon Elisa Vanacore says, “The Pompeiians have healthy teeth, only in the rarest cases marred by decay.” Dr. Vanacore attributes this to the Pompeiians’ “mainly vegetarian diet and an almost total lack of sugar in the diet.” At the time of the disaster, the Roman Empire had access to a diverse array of foods, though they were especially fond of olives, olive oil, and grains — except for barley and millet, which they only ate during times of
clear: The Pompeiians had pearly white teeth. If you want to capture the secrets of their success, try cutting out
sugar and increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. We don’t have to live in the shadow of a volcano to take good care of our teeth; diet and hygiene each play a large part in our dental health!
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 25+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Citrus BBQ Chicken
FROM CHALLENGES TO TRIUMPHS
Ingredients
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
The Remarkable Story of Jeremiah Fennell
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8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces 1 1/3 cups ketchup 2 tbsp brown sugar Juice and zest of 1 orange Juice and zest of 1 lemon 3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp ground cumin 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper to taste
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If you were not already working your dream job before finishing elementary school, then I’m afraid to say you may be an underachiever compared to one young man. Jeremiah Fennell of Las Vegas, Nevada, is four years into his dream career in sports journalism. This would be impressive for anyone, but Jeremiah is only 11 years old and started working in sports journalism at 7. Despite his astounding accomplishments, doctors thought Jeremiah’s prospects, both mentally and physically, would be minimal. Before he was born, they told Jeremiah’s parents he was missing a gland from his brain and might be born deaf. Additionally, bloodwork showed he had a detached right clavicle, which would make playing contact sports a near impossibility. Because doctors told Jeremiah’s parents he would likely lose his hearing due to his health issues, they initially taught him American Sign Language or ASL. He struggled with language at 2 years old, but everything changed once he started watching football. When his parents put a Las Vegas (formerly Oakland) Raiders game on the TV, Jeremiah became animated and loved to comment with the announcers. By the time he was 4, he was performing mock interviews with NFL players, changing his voice depending on whether he was asking or answering the questions. Then, at age 7, Jeremiah started his own YouTube channel, which put him on a path to sports journalist stardom. Fast- forward to 2022, FOX5 Vegas surprised Jeremiah with tickets to the final game of the Raiders’ regular season against their division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. After that game, Jeremiah got his first big interview with Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams. That interview went viral, getting millions of views on social media. Jeremiah went on to attend media day at this year’s Super Bowl and has now interviewed some of the biggest football stars in the NFL, including Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brock Purdy and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, and Maxx Crosby of the Raiders. Jeremiah has defied all expectations and become a media sensation, proving to the world that he is capable of more than anyone thought possible.
Directions
1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce. ... continued from Cover Art taught me that there is beauty in everything, and you have to look for it. Many people look at the world and only see ordinary things, but my eyes see something different. Nature is a natural source of beauty, and almost everyone can appreciate nature, but I see beauty in the layout of a building, or décor, or people’s faces. I see beauty in eyes and facial expressions, a silhouette, the angle of a neck or shoulder, or the texture of hair or skin. I see beauty in how a person moves, in how a tree sways, in different textures, sheen, or movement of cloth. I walk down a street and see static buildings and the movement of cars and people, and it all lays out before me like a beautiful painting, and it’s all amazing to behold. I encourage all of you to take art lessons. You don’t have to be good at art to look at the world with an artistic eye. You will learn much more about how beautifully the world is made than how to pick up a pencil and draw. You will look at the world differently, and every part of your world will suddenly seem like a visual gift to be appreciated and loved. It will enrich your life. That is a gift you can give to yourself. –Hema Gopal, DMD
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Inside
DR. HEMA GOPAL: 25+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
This Issue
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See the World Through an Artist’s Eyes
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How Diet and Dental Hygiene Affect Digestive Health Unraveling Pompeii’s Immaculate Dental Hygiene Young Sports Journalist’s Heartwarming Success Story Citrus BBQ Chicken
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Why Raw Vegetables Are Better for Health FROM GARDEN TO PLATE
Unlock the Power of Raw Vegetables
Fun and Tasty The natural crisp flavor and crunch of uncooked veggies can be just a fun and tasty way to curb your hunger. Raw carrots, celery, or tomatoes are an easy snack that won’t lead you or your child into a sugar crash within a few hours. They can also brighten up a salad and are great to have on hand to add to smoothies or vegetable juices. Weight Management Raw veggies are naturally low in calories and high in fiber and can contribute to weight loss or better weight management. Along with being packed with fresh nutrients, opting for uncooked vegetables minimizes food preparation techniques that increase the calories in a meal. You want to avoid
Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, and while baked or stir-fried dishes are delicious, you could be cooking out beneficial vitamins and nutrients. For example, heat degrades the cancer- fighting compound myrosinase found in raw broccoli. Garlic’s main beneficial compound is allicin, which can also be destroyed if you cook it. Thankfully, you can find many ways to use these and other vegetables raw instead. If you want the most potent dose of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals possible from plant-based foods, you must consume them raw. From improvements to your skin to a stronger heart, there’s a bounty of reasons to incorporate uncooked veggies into your meals. Here are three other reasons to enjoy them uncooked.
dousing vegetables with butter, cream, and cheese. Raw veggies also tend to be filling, so they can aid in reducing your snack cravings. Hydration Water is necessary for our bodies to work properly, allowing our organs, as well as key processes like digestion and body temperature maintenance, to function correctly. Many of the most popular and accessible vegetables, like cucumbers, have a high water content. Eating raw veggies like this can give you a needed boost of hydration. So, put away the frying pan, butter, and oil, and incorporate uncooked vegetables into your daily diet. Your body will thank you!
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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 25+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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