Lake Oconee Dentistry - September 2018

HOW A RAILROAD PROTEST LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A NATIONAL HOLIDAY The Pullman Strike and the Origin of Labor Day

CANINE CLEANLINESS In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he was, barely Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public schools. But when Labor Day was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company- owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed-together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher- ups millions of dollars. But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families.

acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers.

toothbrush. You should never use human toothpaste — it contains cleaning agents that can harm your dog if swallowed. Pet toothpaste is easy to find and comes in poultry, malt, and other flavors that will make the experience more enjoyable for your dog. TRAIN YOUR PET TO TOLERATE IT Using the flavored pet toothpaste is a great way to get your dog excited about dental care, but there are several other methods to ease the process. Start by opening your pup’s mouth with your hand every now and then to get them familiar with the feeling. Then give them a sample of the toothpaste. To start the brushing process, lift their lip and brush their teeth and cheeks, paying specific attention to the back upper molars and canines, as those areas tend to quickly build up tartar. A quick treat or play session after brushing goes a long way. Lastly, take your dog in for annual appointments with your veterinarian to ensure that there are no serious dental complications. Otherwise, happy brushing! The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running. Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town. A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.

Your Dog’s Mouth Is Just As Dirty As Yours

You are probably familiar with the old axiom, “A dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.” Perhaps the first time you heard this claim, you didn’t fully believe it, but after hearing it for the 10th or 100th time, the idea started to seem plausible. It turns out this

notion isn’t entirely true. Researchers at Harvard determined that, similar to our human mouths, which have over 615 different types of bacteria living inside them, our furry friends have at least 600 different types residing inside their snouts. Our dogs’ mouths are just as germ-filled as ours, but because dogs lack the ability to grip a toothbrush, the responsibility to care for their dental health falls on the owner’s shoulders. Brushing your dog’s teeth is just as important to your dog’s health as brushing your teeth is to yours, but there are some good practices to keep in mind before you buy your canine an expensive whitening paste.

USE THE CORRECT TOOLS When brushing your pup’s teeth, be sure to use either a specially designed canine toothbrush, a children’s toothbrush, or a finger

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