Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
March/April 2023
THE HEIGHTS SMILE Herald
(440) 483-1003
5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
I’ve always been a bit of a greenie. Growing up in Iowa in the ‘80s, I heard about acid rain on the news and saw the effects of industrial farm runoff with my own eyes. I gained an appreciation for our environment early and believe our duty as humans is to protect it. And as Earth Day approaches, I’m glad to see more and more of my neighbors take the same interest. Our family loves getting outdoors whenever possible. Whether hiking on rough terrain or visiting a park in the city, there’s much about nature to appreciate — and you can find tiny pockets of it all over if you keep your eyes open. It revitalizes us to see that beauty. This love inspired us to redo the landscaping around our home during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. If we were going to be stuck there all the time, we wanted to be able to look at nature. We hired a master gardener who replanted native species throughout our entire yard. We now love being outside at our home more than ever. The gardener selected plants that all blossom at different times. Except in winter, there will always be something in bloom. The cycle is fascinating to watch; you can experience all of spring, summer, and fall through the plants in our yard. There have been other bonuses. More wildlife visits us, and we love to sit and watch the chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. This summer, we plan on planting native wildflowers to bring more birds and butterflies around. It’s humbling and rewarding to remember that this is their home, too. Of course, we have limits — we don’t let mice live with us in our house. But to an extent, we live and let live with our wildlife counterparts, and I think we’re better off for it. After all, humans are also part of nature. Having a native ecosystem outside helps us remember that. The new setup is also great for the environment. We don’t have to water the plants nearly as much and use fewer herbicides and pesticides than before. So, the yard is now a win for us and nature. We almost feel like ONE CHANGE AT A TIME Back to Nature
we have our own little homestead and have partially returned the land to how it was initially intended.
As time passes, I see more people make positive, Earth-friendly changes. Other neighbors are investing in natural landscaping; another is installing solar panels. If you want to begin planting native species where you live, plenty of resources are available — and there are many more plant options than you might think! The Cleveland Botanical Gardens has a wealth of information that can help you get started on native landscaping that suits your taste. It won’t change the world overnight, but these small changes add up. I want to leave the same world I inherited to my kids — and their kids’ kids, and those kids’ kids, and so on for generations to come. We all have a shared responsibility to make conscious decisions about how we impact nature around us. It’s never too late to make an environmentally friendly change. -Dr. Jason Schermer
1
exceptionalsmiles.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
It’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month
CELEBRATE WITH A FREE SCREENING!
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common type worldwide, with oral cancers making up about 85% of those cases. Experts expect more than 54,000 newly diagnosed cases of oral cancer in America in 2023, along with over 11,000 deaths — more than one every hour. But despite its dangers, many people are unaware of oral cancer’s risks. Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but it is most commonly found on the gums, tonsils, and tongue. The risk of oral cancer is much higher among men, with their cases outnumbering women’s 6 to 1. Like most cancers, the risk increases with age, but roughly 20% of cases are diagnosed in people under 55. People who use tobacco or alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than those who do not. Excess body weight, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene are additional risk factors. But the fastest-rising cause of oral cancer is HPV. Most adults will contract HPV during their lives, and most of the 200 variants are relatively harmless. But roughly 1% of people with the strain HPV16 will develop cancer in the infected area.
advanced stages. Many with oral cancer do not develop symptoms until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Still, some will experience a persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing or eating. Others notice mouth sores that do not heal or discolored patches in their mouths. People with these signs should seek out medical care. Since oral cancer is undetectable to most patients, Dr. Schermer recommends that everyone over 18 be screened for oral cancer once per year. At Exceptional Smiles, our dentists use a VELscope during their exams. The VELscope is a handheld, light-up device that alerts dentists to potential cancerous or precancerous cell changes inside your mouth. The exam is entirely painless and only takes minutes to complete. In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April, Exceptional Smiles will offer FREE oral cancer screenings. This offer is open to new and existing patients, so tell your family and friends! These screenings can be lifesaving, so protect your health by calling our office to schedule an appointment!
Most oral cancer is treatable, but the survival rate is relatively low because far too many people are not diagnosed until the disease has reached
-Dr. Jason Schermer
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Wow! First impressions are the world to me, and I felt comfortable with Anna. She was just so, so friendly and talkative. She just thought I was the funniest person because sometimes, I have a way with words — LITERALLY! Let me tell you about the Exceptional Doctor. He was patient with me and laughed at my jokes, and he gave me hope about my teeth. Let’s pray that all of me stays cute and healthy so I can feel young with a beautiful smile.” — “As a new patient, I felt welcomed and extremely comfortable knowing that I was being treated by Dr. Schermer, who is a consummate professional.” — “Wonderful experience. The entire staff was very friendly and very thorough ... explaining every step they were going to take. Their billing is very transparent. And their technology is the most advanced I have ever seen. I felt like I was in an episode of ‘The Jetsons’! Plus ... they have Netflix in all the suites to keep you occupied while they work!”
2
(440) 483-1003
GOT SAME-DAY CROWNS? WE DO!
Do you enjoy taking time off work and rearranging your schedule to manage multiple visits to your dental office? Probably not! The value of your time is one of several reasons Exceptional Smiles offers same-day crowns to our patients. You can restore your smile with same-day crowns without long wait times or multiple appointments. Our office creates same-day crowns with the latest technology that only takes a few hours from beginning to end. After cleaning and preparing the tooth, your dentist will use a camera to take 3D images of
detailed image of your tooth, creating only an approximation with fewer lifelike ridges and crevices. Traditional crowns are also less likely to match the color of your other teeth and can sometimes stand out. Due to the highly precise digital technology used with same-day crowns, the results are more detailed and lifelike. Many people feel same-day crowns look and fit better than traditional options. Since the high-definition images also capture the color of your teeth, the crown color is a very close match to the rest of your smile, and few people can tell the difference between a crown and a regular tooth. The cost of same-day crowns is comparable to traditional crowns, and you’ll save precious time by needing only one visit. Meanwhile, you can avoid the inconvenience of temporary crowns. These placeholders provide a less comfortable fit, increasing the likelihood of damaging your tooth further while you wait for your permanent traditional crowns. Same-day crowns don’t work for everyone, particularly patients with tooth fractures below the gumline. Some people also prefer the porcelain used in traditional crowns. But for most of our patients, same-day crowns are a convenient, long-lasting solution. If you need a crown but have been avoiding the hassle, don’t continue to wait! Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and our dentists will explore whether same-day crowns are a good fit for you.
your mouth and load the results to computer software. The same-day crown technology then mills the crown in-office while you wait.
The physical impression produces a much less
LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKES OF THE MONTH
Baked Beans With Ground Meat
Inspired by EatingWell.com
If you’re looking for a hearty comfort food this month, this recipe is for you! Use a lean meat of your choice to create this healthy dinner that will have your family begging for more.
Q: What do a tick and the Eiffel Tower have in common? A: They’re both Paris sites! Q: Why do fathers take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing? A: In case they get a hole in one!
Ingredients •
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped
• • • • •
1/4 cup molasses 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• •
1 lb lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken 2 15-oz cans navy beans, rinsed
1/4 tsp salt
• • •
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives for garnish
1 cup water
3/4 cup ketchup
Directions 1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add oil, onion, and ground meat. Cook, stirring and crumbling meat with a wooden spoon until the onion has softened and the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. 2. Add beans, water, ketchup, molasses, mustard, garlic powder, and salt, then bring to a simmer. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring until bubbling and slightly thickened, 5–8 minutes. Garnish with chives.
Q: Who is the hungriest celebrity?
A: Reese With-Her-Spoon!
If you would like your favorite joke featured, email Office@exceptionalsmiles.com . You may see it in our next issue!
3
exceptionalsmiles.com
exceptionalsmiles.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(440) 483-1003
INSIDE 5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
1
Choosing Our Environment
2
Get the Facts on Oral Cancer
2
What People Are Saying About Us
3
The Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
3
Baked Beans With Ground Meat
4
Want a Vitamin Boost?
SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D
With spring on the horizon, we all will be able to get outdoors a little more and soak up some sun — and extra vitamin D! Bring on the picnics, pool days, hiking, sports activities, and leisurely walks through the park!
IT COUNTERS OSTEOPOROSIS. Osteoporosis, a loss in bone mass, is common as we get older. However, vitamin D is one of the key players in helping to slow down bone loss and prevent or treat osteoporosis so we can maintain a healthy skeletal system. IT REDUCES THE RISKS OF DEPRESSION. Studies have shown that those who are deficient in vitamin D become more prone to mood disorders and depression. To ensure that you support your mental health, step outside and get some happy, feel-good rays! IT’S POSSIBLY LINKED TO WEIGHT LOSS. While it’s not fully proven that vitamin D helps with weight loss, many studies have found links between vitamin D supplements and shedding a few pounds. In one study, one group of people taking vitamin D and calcium supplements lost more weight than another group taking placebos. IT PREVENTS AND HELPS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Not only is vitamin D proven to lower a person’s chances of getting this horrible disease, but for those who already have it, it can also reduce symptoms or slow down the disease’s progression. This spring, be sure to get outdoors and soak up some vitamin D; however, don’t forget to protect your skin, too! To avoid overexposure, only about 10–15 minutes a day of unprotected sun is recommended.
Let’s take a look at the many benefits this vitamin provides for our bodies.
IT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. Vitamin D helps your body fight off sickness. In fact, it’s been proven that deficiencies in vitamin D are connected to an increased possibility of developing infections and autoimmune diseases such as the flu, heart disease, and diabetes.
4
(440) 483-1003
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator