Check out our September newsletter!
September 2021
THE HEIGHTS SM I L E Herald
5825 Lande r b rook Dr i ve , Su i t e 121 , May f i e l d He i gh t s , OH 44124
( 440 ) 483 - 1003
PREPARING FOR MY OLDEST TO LEAVE THE NEST It Seems Like Only Yesterday ...
This September, my oldest daughter is going off to college, and it’s strange to think that we’ll have one fewer person at home. Over the past 20 years, I’ve had many patients share stories about dropping their own kids off at college. They all got through it, as I know I will, but they’ve also assured me that no matter how many kids you have, it doesn’t get any easier. After watching my daughter, I can’t help but remember the excitement I felt to go off to college all those years ago. I was so enthusiastic to explore life and cast off the childhood shackles of “my roof, my rules.” My most vivid memory is of how I wanted my parents to help me get all of my stuff into my dorm room — and then get them out of there as soon as possible. It wasn’t until I watched their car leave the parking lot from my dorm window that it hit me: I was on my own, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. This realization felt like a heavy weight on my shoulders, and there was almost something spooky about knowing that I was now responsible for myself. Then I went to orientation and I realized that almost everyone else was in the same boat. As time went on, I made friends with people in my dorm and with other kids who shared my interests. It was good to be able to get out of my comfort zone in the relatively safe environment of college. Though my mom and dad weren’t there to keep me safe, I did have a lot of people looking out for me. Residents,
advisors, and TAs still provided some sort of structure. There was freedom, but it had a safety net.
While it never occurred to me at the time, I now realize how my parents must have felt when they dropped me off and I rushed them out of the dorms. I watch my daughter count down the days until she leaves and can’t help but think, “Was I really that bad? I can’t believe you’re so eager to get away!” It does sting a little, and it’s hard to know that when something goes wrong, I won’t be able to immediately jump in and help her. At the same time, I know it’s all part of growing up, and this is what we’ve been preparing her for the last 18 years. My best advice to any young adult heading off to college is to allow for spontaneity. Test the water and don’t be afraid to take risks. Explore opportunities while you’ve still got a protective umbrella. Don’t try to plan everything out to the last detail, because nothing ever happens exactly as you expect. Just enjoy the experience for the experience’s sake; you’ll remember it for a lifetime. All of this is uncharted territory for me, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a little bit weepy the first few weeks of September. I’ll do my best to keep the dad jokes coming. -Dr. Jason Schermer
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Dentistry Goes Viral SHOULD YOU GET YOUR DENTAL ADVICE FROM TIKTOK?
Dentists have recently been going viral on TikTok, leaving viewers and bloggers breathless with the industry secrets.
In early July, it was dentist Anna Peterson from Essex telling viewers that they shouldn’t use mouthwash after brushing their teeth, claiming it washes away the fluoride. She instead recommends using mouthwash only after eating. Then, it was Dr. K. Sarvendran from Toronto, Canada, advising viewers that they’re using too much toothpaste, saying anything more than a pea- sized amount is overdoing it. She claims that too much toothpaste has the potential to wear down the enamel on your teeth.
“cleaner” after brushing — the brushing itself is the most important thing. And while fluoride is great, he has some patients who don’t use it due to individual preference, so he makes personalized treatment based on this decision. But some viral tips can be downright dangerous, like the trend of using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on your teeth. Thankfully, no dentist recommended this practice, but it did take off briefly in July. Using a magic eraser is actually a terrible idea, as it will scrub the enamel off your teeth — and enamel doesn’t grow back. “Sometimes we, as clinicians, spend way too much time trying to undo the myths and half-truths people find on social media about their dental health,” Dr. Schermer says, also remembering nonsense claims that coconut oil can substitute for a root canal. (If only!) In reality, he says, “every decision is based on personal needs.” TikTok and other social media sites may be fun, but health decisions should be made in collaboration with your doctor. If you have questions about your dental health, we’ll be glad to address them during your next visit to our office.
While there’s some truth to both doctors’ claims, it’s also fair to say that they overstate their cases.
“There’s a time and a place for everything, and TikTok is not my first go-to point for health care decisions,” Dr. Schermer explains. That’s why he doesn’t have his own TikTok channel. “I don’t want to take away from the serious yet personal nature of what we do in the office,” he says, referencing his highly trained staff and their daily work to take care of patients’ dental needs. Regarding the specific claims in the videos, Dr. Schermer explains that all health care decisions, including those regarding your teeth, are personal in nature. For example, he says that toothpaste provides a benefit of feeling
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Great experience. Very friendly and efficient staff. Dr. Schermer was great, and importantly, great COVID-19 protocols were in place and adhered to. Very safe. Definitely recommend!” -Frank V.
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LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS KICK OFF FALL THE OHIO WAY
Ohio State Games If you’re a sports fan, autumn probably means only one thing to you — football. Chances are you or someone you know is an Ohio State Buckeyes supporter, and the game is a great excuse to eat good food and hang out with good friends. Whether you are a diehard or casual fan, one of the best parts of the game is making memories with people you care about. This season kicks off on Sept. 2, and it’s easy to join in on the fun from home. If you’re up for the two-hour drive, tickets for home games are available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Go team! Clambakes It’s just not fall without a clambake. Our unique clambakes have been an autumn staple of the region for decades, possibly dating back as far as the mid-1800s. If you enjoy cooking, preparing and enjoying a clambake at home is always a fun family event. (Don’t worry if you don’t have a steamer — they’re available to rent.) If you’re less into cooking and more into eating, there are always many local clambake events, and the proceeds often go to a good cause. Support local school sports by checking out the Mayfield Athletic Boosters’ clambake this Oct. 16, with more details coming soon at MayfieldAthleticBoosters. MembershipToolkit.com.
Fall is right around the corner, and that means crisp air, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes. You can build a bonfire or jump in the leaves anywhere, but some of our favorite autumn activities are unique to Northeast Ohio. Apple-Picking Apple season is rapidly approaching, and orchards dot our local landscape. Stopping by a roadside fruit stand is fine, but there’s just something special about personally selecting, picking, and eating apples right off the tree. If you’ve got little ones, it’s also a great way to get them out of the house. For local options that offer apple-picking and more, start with Patterson Fruit Farm (PattersonFarm.com) and Monroe’s Orchard (MonroesOrchard.com).
Our region has a lot to offer this autumn, so don’t miss out on the fun. Get your family and friends together and fall headfirst into fall!
One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken
LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKE OF THE MONTH
Inspired by WellPlated.com
Ingredients •
Bigfoot is sometimes confused with Sasquatch.
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• •
4 tsp olive oil, divided
3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2- inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish
• • • •
1 tsp salt, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
•
1/2 cup apple cider 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions 1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!
Yeti never complains.
If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@ExceptionalSmiles.com . You may see it in our next issue!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(440) 483-1003
INSIDE 5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
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Preparing for My Oldest to Leave for College
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Dentistry Goes Viral
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What People Are Saying About Us
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Have Fun Locally This Fall
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One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken
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Nothing to See Here: Mystery Spot Tourism
The most famous mystery spot is in Santa Cruz, California, but it has cousins in Oregon, West Virginia, and Michigan. Each one is inexplicable — drawing thousands of people every year to come and spend their tourist dollars. And for many, the whole thing is just one big hoax, designed to take in suckers and generate cash. Although Santa Cruz has the most visitors, it was “inspired” by the Oregon Vortex, which was a spot that had odd occurrences “documented” back to the early frontier days. From a mining office sliding off its foundation to the high presence of optical illusions, the Vortex was the home to some odd events. Naturally, the thing to do was build a structure there and start taking people’s money! It’s not a coincidence that these locations began to pop up at the same time as the average American got access to automobiles — “roadside attractions” of all kinds have been the rage since people began to tour America by A HISTORY OF THE MYSTERY SPOT NOTHING TO SEE HERE
car, and it’s pretty clear that, real or not, these mystery spots fall into that category. That’s why many of them have updated over the years to suit changing tastes — such as the Michigan St. Ignace Mystery Spot’s addition of zip lines and other attractions. And unlike many other roadside attractions, mystery spots continue to draw attention. Something in the American psyche loves the idea of the paranormal; Google “Europe mystery spots” and you’re likely to discover lists of unique vacation destinations. Perhaps they recapture the “paradise is just over the hill” mystery that in part drove colonization of the American West.
Or perhaps it’s all a bunch of hooey. The best way to decide, of course, is to visit one of these mystery spots for yourself!
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