Take a look at our October newsletter!
THE
BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-231-7755 | ATOWNDENTAL.COM | OCTOBER 2025
Messy Kitchens, Full Tables, and Happy Hearts
MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN WE SIT DOWN TOGETHER
I spend a lot of my days discussing what people eat, how certain foods affect teeth, why sugar in moderation matters, and how healthy habits can make a difference. But when I go home, food takes on a whole different meaning. It’s not about what’s in the meal, it’s about who’s at the table. October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, and it’s the perfect reminder of something my wife and I have made a priority from the start of our marriage: sitting down to dinner together. It’s not always perfect and definitely not always gourmet, but it’s one of the most important things we do as a family. With six kids, a busy dental practice, church activities, and a calendar that seems to refill the moment we cross something off, sitting down together isn’t always easy. But we’ve found ways to make it happen, even if that means dinner is at seven at night after kids’ sports practice or youth group. Some nights it’s a home-cooked meal, sometimes it’s takeout, and other times it’s leftovers or a “fend for yourself” evening where everyone scrounges for what they want, but we all end up in the same place: around the table.
consistency. Studies show it helps with stability and even lowers anxiety and depression. But honestly, I don’t need a study to tell me that. I see it in my kids’ faces when they share their whole day with me. Sometimes, they’re so excited to talk to me that my wife has to remind them to eat! The dinner table is where we laugh, plan vacations, share what’s coming up in the week, and play “Would You Rather” just to hear the wild answers our kids come up with. Even when life feels chaotic, that time at the table slows us down. We also love hosting, even if our house hasn’t gotten any bigger since our family doubled in size. One Thanksgiving, we had my wife Jessica’s side of the family over for the turkey feast, and while the food was bountiful, the dining space was not. We squeezed tables between rooms, crammed in folding chairs, and no one could get up until the meal was over because there wasn’t room to move. Despite the limited space, it was one of our family’s best dinners and most memorable Thanksgivings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people don’t care if your kitchen’s spotless or if dinner is served exactly on time. They don’t care if the meal came from your oven or the drive-thru down the street. They remember the conversation, the warmth, and the feeling of being welcomed.
I grew up in a home where we ate together most nights, and so did my wife. We both know firsthand how grounding it is for kids to have that
Food has always brought people together, whether in celebration, comfort, or everyday routine. And while healthier choices are important (you didn’t think I’d skip that reminder, did you?), I believe eating together does just as much for our overall well-being as the food itself. So, this month and every month, I encourage you to gather around the table with your family or friends. Don’t wait for the perfect time, the perfect menu, or the perfect house. Just sit down, share a meal, and enjoy each other’s company.
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THE COZY CUP CONUNDRUM Hot Drinks,
PLAN A SPOOK-TACULAR TIME! CREATIVE NEW TWISTS ON HALLOWEEN FUN The popularity of Halloween has grown to rival Super Bowl Sunday, with nearly 3 in 4 consumers participating in decorating, handing out candy, and dressing in costumes. To keep your loved ones close to home for spooky fun, consider planning festive games, activities, and treats to share. Here are three fresh ideas for snacks, games, and activities to keep kids and grown-ups celebrating all evening long. GHOULISH GAMES How about a round of Pin the Spider on the Web to see which blindfolded competitor can land the spider closest to the center? Piñatas have no season, so try filling a piñata with Halloween treats of your choice. Older guests might enjoy a Halloween version of “party pong”: Place 10 candy buckets on the ground in a triangle and see which guest can land the most pingpong balls in a bucket.
Cool Weather, and Pumpkin Spice Warnings
Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and the warm hug of a pumpkin spice latte. It’s the season many of us wait for all year! Maybe you’re more of a hot chocolate person, or perhaps nothing says autumn like a steaming mug of apple cider. These cozy favorites bring comfort in every sip … but may also damage your teeth. THE NOT-SO-SWEET SIDE OF THE SEASON. Many fall drinks are loaded with sugar, and sugar is cavity-causing bacteria’s best friend. Those bacteria turn sugar into acids that eat away at your enamel, aka the protective shell of your teeth. And it doesn’t stop there! Many seasonal sips, especially flavored coffees and ciders, are naturally acidic. That acidity weakens enamel, opening the door to sensitivity, staining, and decay. REAL PUMPKIN BRINGS REAL BENEFITS. Before you toss the pumpkin out with the candy wrappers, the good news is that real pumpkins are a dental health ally! They’re filled with fiber that encourages saliva flow, your mouth’s natural cleaning system. Pumpkins are also packed with vitamin A, which helps fortify enamel and support gum health. And similar to blueberries, they have antioxidants that decrease inflammation, keeping gums happy.
HALLOWEEN HORS D’OEUVRES Serve your guests ghostly eyeballs made from Babybel cheese rounds, or have the kids create “mummy dogs” by wrapping and baking hot dogs in ready-made biscuit dough. Everyone loves holiday gingerbread houses, so make a haunted version from a gingerbread house kit, purple or black frosting, and melted-marshmallow spider webs. Add a ghastly twist by planting a few ginger-gravestones in the yard. With leftover dough, you can create witch-hat or black-cat cookies.
So, while the syrupy pumpkin flavoring in your latte might not be a friend to your teeth, pumpkin in its pure form gets a gold star from your dentist.
SHARE THE SCARES Cozy up in blankets to watch a favorite horror flick on a DIY outdoor movie screen. (Try stringing a white sheet on wooden rods stretched between support poles, perhaps fashioned from PVC pipe.) For child- friendly entertainment, find a book of scary stories and gather the little ones around for some ghostly storytelling. Also, if store-bought costumes don’t excite you, harness the power of face paint to transform each other into comical Halloween characters. If you are among the 1 in 5 Americans who plan to involve their pets in Halloween festivities, consider cooking up a costume for your furry friend. Your black Lab might make a great Bark Vader, your shih tzu could dress as Chewbacca, or your St. Bernard might don a cape to play Count Drool-cula! With a bit of imagination, you can ensure fun for all!
HOW TO SIP SMART THIS SEASON. Enjoying fall flavors doesn’t have to come with a side of cavities! These simple steps can keep your smile bright and healthy:
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Pair with meals so sugar and acid have less time to linger. Rinse with water after indulging (even a few sips helps).
Use a straw to protect enamel.
Keep up your dental hygiene routine!
These small changes can make a big difference in protecting your enamel and keeping your smile bright through pumpkin spice season.
Want to keep your smile healthy this fall (and beyond)? Contact our office to schedule your next dental visit so we can help you ensure your teeth stay strong, bright, and ready for all the season’s smiles.
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Strong Starts: Denmark’s Secrets to Raising Happy Kids
In a black-and-white world, Danes embrace the gray.
validating a child’s emotions instead of telling them how to feel. This ongoing encouragement to embrace and examine feelings likely enables Danish children to develop stronger self-trust and a clearer perception of the world around them. BAD PATCHES AND DAMAGING PRAISE Naturally, plenty of old-fashioned tough love balances the openness apparent in Danish parenting. Parents rarely shy away from addressing negative events, feelings, and circumstances head-on with their children. Suppose a Danish parent is having a rough day or is upset about unexpected bad news. In that case, they’re more likely to explain to their children why their disposition is darker than usual rather than bottling up these thoughts and shielding the little ones from reality. While talking things out is the norm in Denmark, overloading children with compliments is considered bad form. For example, studies suggest that constantly praising a child’s intelligence harms their self-worth when they encounter mentally challenging tasks later in life. Instead of working through these obstacles, they’re more likely to give up in frustration. To that end, Danish parents emphasize effort over accomplishment, helping children gain greater confidence in overcoming hurdles. LENTIL AND SWEET POTATO STEW
The University of Oxford’s “World Happiness Report” cites Denmark as the second-happiest country behind Finland. Denmark clearly knows a thing or two about fostering a culture that prioritizes contentment and personal well-being. Not surprisingly, the rest of the world often looks to Denmark for inspiration to lead a more positive life. Regarding parenting, Danish citizens have crafted a philosophical and practical approach that could benefit children in countries far from their own. ATTITUDE DETERMINES ATTITUDE First and foremost, Danish parenting is a practice steeped in empathy, caring, communication, and respect. While these core tenets aren’t particularly revolutionary, parent-child relationships in Denmark thrive because of how they apply each. Stringently nonviolent, Danish parenting focuses on the inherent goodness in all children and encourages independence, optimism, and honesty. For example, parents eschew “helicopter parenting” to allow their children to engage in playtime and other activities with as little intervention as possible. Practitioners believe granting their little ones this high level of freedom enables them to develop greater self-esteem and leadership skills than if they constantly dictate their actions and give strict directions. Additionally, Danish parenting stresses the importance of
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A PEARL IS REAL? Just use your teeth! To determine a pearl’s authenticity, carefully rub it gently along the biting edge of your upper front teeth. Does the pearl feel rough or gritty? That means it’s real due to the natural layers of nacre. If it feels smooth? Fake!
Inspired by EatYourselfSkinny.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 cups green lentils, rinsed • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 2 bay leaves • 1/2 tsp turmeric
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes. 2. Add all other ingredients except for salt and parsley. 3. Turn the heat to high until it is boiling, then reduce it to low and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through. 4. Remove pot from heat and stir in salt. Top with parsley and enjoy!
HOW MANY PINTS OF BLOOD DOES A PERSON HAVE IN THEIR BODY? The average person is walking around with 10 pints of blood inside them, and when it comes to blood donation, a donor often gives a whole pint! WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VANILLA AND FRENCH VANILLA? The term “French vanilla” is used to describe the French way of making vanilla ice cream, which, unlike the typical cream- based American-style, starts with an egg custard base and real vanilla beans. You can often tell the difference just by the little flecks of vanilla bean commonly seen in French vanilla ice cream!
• 1/4 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • Fresh parsley
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ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
513-231-7755 ATOWNDENTAL.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD., STE. A CINCINNATI, OH 45255
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Best Thing at the Table Isn’t Food, It’s Company
2
Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun: Fresh Halloween Ideas With Flair Pumpkin Spice, Sugar, and Everything (Not) Nice for Your Teeth
3
Danish Parenting Demystified
Your Monthly Need-to-Knows
Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
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Glowing Jack-O’-Lanterns to Giant Gourds: Fall Fun Awaits!
Where Pumpkins Tower, Lanterns Glow, and Music Fills the Air OHIO’S FALL FESTIVALS YOU CAN’T MISS
Fall in Ohio is bursting with color, flavor, and unforgettable experiences, and 2025 is packed with ways to celebrate! From glowing pumpkins to riverfront concerts and giant gourds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Cincinnati and the surrounding communities will be alive with festivals, art, music, and family fun all October. Grab your calendar because it’s time to plan your perfect Ohio autumn adventure!
a-kind celebration of music, cuisine, and culture on the banks of the Ohio River.
JACK O’LANTERN GLOW Oct. 3–30, 2025 CincinnatiZoo.org/events
OPERATION PUMPKIN 2025 Oct. 10–12, 2025 Operation-Pumpkin.org
AMERICA’S RIVER ROOTS FESTIVAL Oct. 8–12, 2025 AmericasRiverRoots.com
Experience autumn magic at the Jack O’Lantern Glow, presented by Medpace, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! Returning for its second year, this breathtaking event features over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins and dazzling fall displays along a half-mile trail, making it the largest in the Tri-State area. Wander through glowing jack-o’- lanterns, stunning light effects, and whimsical seasonal scenes that transform the Zoo into an
Get ready to welcome autumn in the most spectacular way at the 14th Annual Operation Pumpkin & Art Festival in the heart of Hamilton, Ohio! Marvel at jaw-dropping giant pumpkin sculptures, cheer on the epic Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, and browse over 100 artisan and food vendors serving irresistible flavors and handcrafted treasures. With live music, pumpkin carvings, and the ever-popular Pet Parade and Costume Contest, this is one autumn tradition you won’t want to miss!
Celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavors of America at the America’s River Roots Festival, a five-day event along the Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport riverfronts. Kicking off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, this festival features eight music stages showcasing gospel, jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, and more, including headliners like Mt. Joy, Weezer, and Maren Morris! Enjoy riverboat cruises, chef dinners, multicultural food trucks, artisan markets, and cultural experiences that honor our nation’s river cities. River Roots is a one-of-
enchanting wonderland. Open select dates Oct. 3–30, 2025 (closed Mondays), this family-friendly experience is perfect for all ages!
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