Check out our December newsletter!
DECEMBER 2020
LONGVIEW TYLER
444 Forest Square Suite E Longview, TX 75605
2124 South Donnybrooke Ave. Tyler, TX 75701
903-758-5551
903-597-2201
www.texassedationdental.com
MAKE A HEALTHY SMILE RESOLUTION
Tips for Developing Better Dental Care Habits
A brand-new year is nearly upon us! That means now is the time to plan all the resolutions you want to tackle in 2021. If you’ve had any dental woes bringing you down, making resolutions to finally address them could be just the remedy you need. Here are some common ailments we see from patients and some ideas for how to get better about taking care of them. Bad Breath Chronic bad breath can be unpleasant to taste and embarrassing for others to smell. If the way you’re brushing your teeth or using other hygiene products doesn’t seem to be doing an adequate job of fighting your bad breath, then it’s time to up your game. Start brushing your teeth and using mouthwash after every meal and floss twice a day. When you brush, make sure you’re getting as far back on your tongue as possible, and scrub the roof of your mouth, too. Clean any dental appliances like dentures and retainers at least once per day, and replace your toothbrush every three months. If that still doesn’t work, you can try a few home remedies like a saltwater rinse, but you should also ask us for help so we can explore the possibility of an underlying issue. Lazy Brushing We’ve all been there — when you’re rushing to work in the morning or are ready to fall into bed at night, taking more than 30 seconds to brush your teeth doesn’t feel feasible. But swiping your toothbrush across your teeth for a few seconds is like not brushing at all, and doing so repeatedly can lead to poor dental health that could become troublesome, not to mention expensive. We recommend breaking your mouth down into four quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) and brushing each area for 30 seconds. Make sure you get the outside, inside, and gumline as you go. To get in the habit of brushing longer, put one of your favorite songs on and brush the
whole way through. If the song goes longer than two minutes, use that time to swish some mouthwash around. Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed when you floss, it’s likely because you aren’t flossing as regularly as you should be. Flossing might feel frustrating, but your toothbrush can’t reach the plaque hiding in the tight gaps between your teeth, and this is most often where cavities form and many problems start. You should floss your teeth at least once per day, preferably during your nightly routine to remove plaque and food particles from the day. If the process of using string dental floss is frustrating, give dental picks a try instead. They’re quicker to use and easier to maneuver. If you start the habit, it won’t take long for your gums to get used to the floss and stop bleeding. Poor Diet The food you eat affects your mouth more than you might realize. Sure, food and liquids pass directly through your mouth to get to the rest of your body, and sometimes your mouth suffers the consequences of food that’s too hot or too hard, but your diet has a big effect when it comes to your teeth. A diet rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy products, helps make your teeth strong and your gums healthy. Also drinking plenty of water and some green or black teas from time to time helps fight bacteria. And if you like chewing gum, make sure it’s sugarless. There’s nothing like a new year to work on a new you, so don’t leave your dental habits behind! If you have any questions about developing at-home practices that work for you, our team is here to help.
-Dr. Travis Kendall
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 | TYLER - 903-597-2201
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5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY EXTRA ECO-FRIENDLY THIS YEAR
Rent, borrow, or rethink your tableware.
Sustainability is the gift that keeps on giving, so if you’d like to give a gift to the environment this December, make your holidays anti-plastic! Here are five ways that you can use the latest eco-friendly technology to make sure your Christmas is just as convenient as ever. Set up recycling bins. Nobody wants to sort through trash on their holiday, especially if you’re hosting all the
parties! To avoid dealing with the waste, set up recycling and composting bins before any home holiday festivities. It’ll make your next trip to a local recycling center so much faster because everything will be organized and easier to manage. Use paper containers for leftovers. Give your celebration a restaurant-from- home feel by storing and giving away leftovers in paper containers rather than plastic. Paper will dissolve and leave behind much less chemical residue than plastic. Want to make it look extra posh? Stamp the exterior with the family initials! Change up your gift wrap. Why use wrapping paper every year when you can make your packaging extra interesting, colorful, and creative? Use newspapers, magazines, comics, posters, maps, or even art by your kids to conceal your gifts this year.
If you’re missing proper tableware for your holiday celebration, don’t despair — some companies will actually let you rent out their dishes for your special evening! You can also borrow tableware from friends and family. But you don’t have to use metal tableware. Try following another culture’s customs and serve your food on local ingredients, like palm leaves, coconuts, or wood. Localize as much as possible. If you can buy ingredients like fresh meat or vegetables from local farms, you won’t use as much plastic packaging and you’ll support small businesses at the same time! Never buy one-use plastics if you don’t have to. For every holiday tradition, ask yourself: Can I reduce, reuse, or recycle any components to this? We hope you have a happy, eco-friendly holiday!
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Services Built With Patients in Mind
Our goal is to help our patients achieve healthy smiles they can feel confident about. We offer fantastic general dentistry services, but we aim to go far above and beyond general practice to provide our clients with all the dental care they need. Here are just a few services we specialize in. IV Sedation If you’re nervous about visits to the dentist for any number of reasons, you’re not alone. Many people are uncomfortable with dental procedures, and that’s why we offer sedation dentistry. The type of sedation medication provided is dependent upon the severity of your fear and the length of your procedure, but we’re certified to offer inhalation, oral, and IV sedation. They keep you on the edge of consciousness but still awake, relaxed, and able to face
your procedure. Best of all is the quick recovery time afterward. Dental Implants If you have broken, missing, or rotting teeth and regular oral care isn’t helping address it, then dental implants could be a great option for you. Unlike dentures, which sit on top of your gums and can slip around or be removed, dental implants are permanent teeth that are surgically implanted in your mouth to give you a permanent, healthy, and natural-looking smile. We specialize in single and multiple implant procedures so we can build the smile that’s right for you. Same-Day Crowns A dental crown is a type of tooth restoration that caps a tooth when something like a
large cavity or other damage threatens it. The need for one is often discovered through X-rays or during procedures like cleanings, and it’s best to address them sooner rather than later. We offer same-day crowns so you don’t have to wait to come back and see us. We want to help you take care of your tooth and address your pain as soon as we’re able, and a same-day crown could be a great solution. If you’re ready to give yourself the healthiest smile you’ve ever had, we offer so many ways to achieve it. Give our office a call, and we’ll answer any questions you might have and schedule a time for you to come see us.
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LONGVIEW- 903-758-5551
USE THEM OR LOSE THEM
FESTIVE APPLE CIDER
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • •
1 lemon
Take Advantage of Your Dental Benefits
1 gallon pure apple cider
1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise
2 tsp whole cloves
When it comes to dental benefit plans, millions of people ring in the new year by leaving money on the table. According to the National Association of Dental Plans, only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plans reach or exceed their plan’s annual maximum. Whether you’re paying for dental care through a benefits plan or using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), your current plan likely runs out on Dec. 31, so don’t let your dental dollars go to waste! When you buy a dental plan, whether it’s through your employer or individually, remember that you’re paying a monthly premium— upfront cash — that’s wasted if you don’t visit your dentist. Any of those benefits that aren’t used by Dec. 31 aren’t rolled over into the new year, so now is the time to make sure you use them to the fullest. These are the best ways to do that: • Thinking Preventatively Taking care of your mouth before something happens to it is better for your health and your wallet. Most dental plans typically pay 100% for preventative visits, so if you haven’t had one yet, this is a good time to schedule one. • Working With Your Dentist Once you’ve determined what your dental needs are, you can talk with us to figure out the best course of action. We’ll also work with your benefits provider to find out what’s covered under your plan. • Planning Ahead If waiting until the last minute has made things difficult, now is a great time to think ahead about your dental plans for the new year. Again, talk with us about what your needs are, and we’ll plan out the best times for you to see us. Make appointments early so you have plenty of time to use your benefits to the fullest. You spent the last year paying for dental benefits, so make sure you use them before they disappear! Give our office a call so we can help you understand your plan and figure out dental care that works for you.
2 tsp allspice berries
1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 tbsp honey
3 cinnamon sticks
DIRECTIONS
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
Carol Cheer Cocoa Family
Gift Holiday Holly Peace
Shovel Sledding Snow Turquoise
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 TYLER - 903-597-2201 WWW.TEXASSEDATIONDENTAL.COM
444 FOREST SQUARE, SUITE E LONGVIEW, TX 75605
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Make a Resolution toTake Care of YourTeeth
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5Ways to MakeYour Holiday Extra Eco-FriendlyThisYear Some of Our Great Services
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Now Is theTime to UseYour Dental Benefits FestiveApple Cider
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Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s ToothlessTherapy Dog
MEET KISMET, A DENTIST’S TOOTHLESS THERAPY DOG
Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety.
Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure.
“The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garrett’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals.
Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist
or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.”
Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!
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