Check out our December newsletter!
Dec 2017 /Jan 2018
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Giving Kids
a Healthy Start
40 million children are affected by a breathing-related sleep disorder, causing a whole host of issues in a child’s daily life. Everything from bedwetting to night terrors to ADHD has been linked to sleep disordered breathing in children, as it interrupts regular sleep cycles and prevents them from getting the deep rest they need to function normally. Most of these sleep problems are caused by crowded teeth, narrow dental arches, and other developmental problems with the patient’s mouth. That’s where Healthy Start comes in. During treatment, kids wear a set of soft, pliable mouthpieces, usually while they’re sleeping, that gradually guide the growth of the jaws into the proper position, ensuring an unobstructed airway. As an added bonus, the devices straighten the child’s teeth, without cumbersome braces or Invisalign treatment, completely pain-free. Last month, I talked about the feeling of moral obligation I had after learning of the pervasive, dangerous effects of sleep apnea in adults across the country. Now that I know Healthy Start exists, I feel the same responsibility for these kids. There’s simply no reason they should be forced to live with this condition, never knowing what’s wrong and being at risk for potentially life-threatening issues later in life. I’m just grateful to do my part for the Healthy Start movement, contributing to our mission of allowing kids to be the best versions of themselves they can possibly be. - Dr. Joel Nathanson
In the past few years, I’ve become increasingly dedicated to the study and treatment of sleep apnea and its long list of associated health risks . As I implemented robust screening and treatment processes for the disorder in my own practice, I knew I was greatly helping my patients by addressing this widespread, hidden health crisis. Still, I began to wonder: Is there some way that we might be able to intervene sooner to prevent sleep apnea from ever becoming a problem in our patients’ lives in the first place? In my search for answers, I discovered the work of an orthodontic specialist named Dr. Earl Bergersen, who’d not only asked that same question, but has been doing something about it for decades. As an associate professor of orthodontics at Northwestern University, Dr. Bergersen invented an array of orthodontic devices designed to address the root cause of sleep disordered breathing in patients at a young age. After years of careful study, he’d combined these treatments into a program called Healthy Start, a natural, comprehensive, noninvasive, and long- lasting treatment solution to sleep apnea. It is designed to facilitate proper growth and development of the jaws and teeth in kids. After learning of its existence, I studied under Dr. Bergersen to learn how it worked and how it could be incorporated into my practice. After becoming certified as a Healthy Start practitioner in Maryland, I incorporated it into our treatment options and have been helping children to stop their sleep disordered breathing ever since.
“Last month, I talked about the feeling of moral obligation I had after learning of the pervasive, dangerous effects of sleep apnea in adults across the country. Now that I know Healthy Start exists, I feel the same responsibility for these kids.”
Much like adult sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing in kids is drastically underdiagnosed. Studies show that over
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3 Creative There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season. old map, why not use that for wrapping?The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an
Gift Wrap Alternatives
OldMaps and Calendars These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in
from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional
fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki- instructional-videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started!
if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. Furoshiki Fabric is an excellent substitute for
Brown Paper Bags With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild.
wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric
Meet Victoria:
Our Incredible Administration Team Leader
Everyonedeserves a smile they love. But sometimes, even though a patient knows they’re in desperate need of dental care in order to maintain their health, they think they shouldn’t even bother scheduling an appointment. This is generally because they believe they’re unable to afford proper treatment. That’s where our wonderful administration team leader, Victoria, comes in. She works with patients to ensure they can afford the care they need, breaking down financing options in plain English. Victoria helps patients understand there’s a payment plan that will fit their budget, enabling them to access treatments that will transform their smile, health, and life. Though Vicki’s been in the field for almost 30 years, she had an interesting path to dental medicine. “I was a patient of an orthodontic practice, and I needed to figure out a way to pay for the treatment,” she says. “So, I applied to join
their team!” After coming on as an assistant, she “got really interested in the field and how to make people feel better about themselves.” Vicki stayed at that particular practice for about 24 years, until the chief orthodontist went into retirement. Then, she shifted from orthodontics to dentistry, and, after a few other positions, joined the Nathanson Dental Family. When asked what she loves most about working at Nathanson Dental, Vicki cites, well, everything! For her, it’s about “the whole atmosphere, the personality styles, the treatment we offer ... [everyone] is just down-to-Earth, normal people who are loving and caring. It really suits my personality.” When she’s not helping patients access treatment, you can often find Vicki out doing home rehab work on her grandfather’s old family farm. She purchased it two years back, but it’s been in her family since 1945. It’s a huge project, and she learns
as she goes, doing most of the work herself. “It’s neat to be here, surrounded by family history,” she says. “It’s a real piece of heaven.” Though it’s an hour and 10 minute commute to the office, Vicki says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s worth every minute to work alongside my team at Nathanson Dental!” she says, and we’re glad she thinks so. All of us are lucky to have her onboard, and we look forward to working with her in the years to come.
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Invisalign: A Clear Alternative to Braces
If you have crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth, it can be difficult to determine the best way to correct and straighten your teeth to achieve that beautiful smile. Many people assume braces are their only option, but aren’t looking forward to having uncomfortable, cumbersome metal in their mouth. Luckily, Nathanson Dental offers Invisalign, an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth without the use of metal brackets and wires. Instead, it uses clear, removable aligners to nudge your teeth into their proper positions. With the transparent plastic aligners used in Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about an unpleasant metal device obstructing your smile. And since they’re easily removable, it’s much easier to maintain good dental hygiene and continue to eat the foods you love. After an initial consultation with Dr. Nathanson to determine if Invisalign is appropriate for your needs, we will take a set of impressions and photos of your teeth to send off to the experts at Invisalign. There, they’ll create a set of custom aligners designed specifically for your teeth. Initially, you’ll need to return to the dental office every two weeks. That way, Dr. Nathanson can assess your progress and give you a new set of aligners as your teeth move. But once you get used to them and we see that your treatment is progressing properly, we can extend visits to about once every four to six weeks. The entire duration of the treatment is usually six months to a year, but may be longer depending on the severity of your case. If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but were stopped by the thought of braces, give us a call at 443-275-9641 today and set up your free Invisalign consultation. Take the first step toward the smile you deserve!
Train Your Brain!
Solution:
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Office Hours: Monday 8:30am to 5:30pm Tuesday 10:30am to 7:30pm Wednesday 8:30am to 5:30pm Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm
5 Shawan Road, 2nd Floor Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Inside
THIS ISSUE
Preventing Sleep Apnea Before It Starts Page 1
Stop Wasting Gift Wrap! Page 2
Need Financing for Treatment? Victoria Can Help Page 2
Straighten Your Teeth Without Clunky Braces Page 3
Office Giveaway Page 3
Magic Kingdom’s Most Magical Season Page 4
IS JANUARY THE BEST MONTH
for Disney World?
upwards of two hours for many of the Magic Kingdom’s attractions.
different. The average temperature hovers in the 60s and rain generally isn’t an issue.
January isn’t known for many things — broken resolutions and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, mostly. But if you’re looking to escape from routine or take your family on a post-holiday adventure, next month might be the best time to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth. The Best Crowds The first full week of January through the middle of February is typically the slowest time of year at the park — though an “off-season” for Disney World is quickly becoming a thing of the past. In January, visitors report never spending more than 20 minutes waiting for a ride, though it can vary throughout the day. Compare that to the Fourth of July, however, when visitors wait
In winter, Disney World often closes a higher number of rides for maintenance. For the most part, they try to coordinate closures so many popular rides stay open, meaning you’ll probably only miss out on one or two of your favorites. Let’s Talk About the Weather For most out-of-staters, Florida’s humidity during the summer can be a major turn-off. Of course, even for the locals, it’s not a lot of fun to spend an extended period of time outdoors during the summer. In January, things are a bit
But check up on weather reports. Worst case scenario, you’ll need to pack an umbrella. Even with a little rain, chances are it won’t detract from your Disney World experience. Though, if you really want to take your planning to the next level, download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone. This makes it easy to track wait times and meet your favorite characters. So, what’s the best month to visit Disney World? It’s a trick question. The real answer is whatever month you go. Disney World is pure magic! But if there is one month that’s better than the rest, we’ll say it’s January.
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