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Smile The MONTHLY
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JANUARY 2019
JANUARY IS NATIONAL THANK-YOU MONTH My Resolution to be More Grateful
For many people, preparing for the New Year’s countdown is the most exhilarating part of the holiday season. You tune your TV to the ball drop in Times Square, hand out party hats, confetti, and noisemakers and raise your flute of champagne high into the air as you sing “Auld Lang Syne” with friends and family. The most quintessential end-of-year practice is making a list of resolutions you hope to achieve in the months to come. Unfortunately, studies indicate approximately 80 percent of goals set in the month of January are long forgotten by the first week of March. While I definitely believe in the value of goal setting, the typical process of New Year’s resolutions sets people up for failure due to the lack of specificity. A person might say, “I want to be healthier,” but then he or she doesn’t set up a way to measure progress. There needs to be a system in place to help keep people on track and intentional about their goals. One of my goals for 2019 is to express my gratitude more often. In order to achieve this objective, I have made a list of people to whom I want to show my gratitude. I'll write them a letter, give them a call, or just let them know how great they are the next time we cross paths. I don’t want to wait until it’s too late to tell the important people in my life what they mean to me. I want to be intentional about showing my gratitude now. Who is on my list? Well, the first two people I’d like to thank are the two people who know me best. First, my mother, Violet. When I was growing up, my mother was one of the people who consistently believed in me. She always approached my effort, talent, and drive with positivity, and she pushed me to strive for more. I am the youngest of five children, and when I was in junior high and high school, my mom recognized my love for learning. She encouraged me to go to college — and I was the first in our family to do so. During college, I told her that I wanted to pursue a career as a dental hygienist, and she encouraged
me to take my dreams a step further and become a dentist. I had never considered the possibility of being a dentist, but as you know, I did end up following her advice. That experience taught me that people sometimes see something in you that you don’t necessarily see for yourself, and I thank my mother for helping me recognize my true calling. The second person on the list is my husband, David. We met in 1992 in dental school, and we have been by each other’s side ever since — literally! We started our practice in 1998, when we lived in an apartment above our office, so we spent our entire work day together and then went upstairs to spend the evening together. Of course, we’ve since moved out of that apartment, but we continue to spend the vast majority of our time occupying the same spaces. People ask me all the time, “That seems difficult. How does it work?” I get it. There are very few people who could have their partner both as a spouse and a coworker, but I truly can’t imagine not having him at work with me. Between brainstorming, consulting on cases, and making business decisions, I find our time together at work so valuable, and it’s reflective of the way our relationship has always been. We are married, but it’s also a real-life partnership. While we’ve both changed individually over the past 21 years of marriage, we’ve grown together as well. I’m grateful for him and thankful we are still the best of friends. As you start making your list of resolutions for 2019, I encourage you to think of people you would like to thank. From all of us here at Lake Oconee Dentistry, Happy New Year!
–Dr. Patti
Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 1
3 EASY WAYS TO RECOVER QUICKLY FROM A COLD Have a Cold? Recover Faster!
Eucalyptus If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be used as an expectorant or as a way to relieve a sore throat. When you’re at home and sick, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing!
During the winter months, colds and the flu can spread like wildfire. Getting sick at least once during the season can be hard to avoid, and once you are sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over and done. While there is no way to completely avoid getting sick, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet a little bit faster.
Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw and undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten flu symptoms by up to three days.
Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the supplement you should be focusing on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does absolutely nothing to help shorten a cold. Instead, take zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray or lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who took zinc reduced their recovery time from a cold by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Clean Your Smile and Enjoy Your Favorite Foods
Who says multitasking is impossible? Well, brain science does. But dental science says you can enjoy a snack and get some dental cleaning done at the same time. Check out some of these treats that pull double duty as both yummy snacks and superfoods for your smile. CHEESE, PLEASE (AND OTHER DAIRY TOO) In addition to providing your bones and teeth with calcium, cheese, yogurts, and other dairy products can be low in sugar. Dairy lowers the acidity level in your mouth and creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria looking to ruin your perfect smile. Plus, chewing cheese promotes saliva production, which is effectively nature’s toothbrush. As long as you don’t go overboard, dental experts say there’s nothing wrong with cutting the cheese. A FEAST FIT FOR RABBITS Few people get excited about bland treats like celery or carrots, but your teeth just might. The physical action of eating carrots and celery stimulates your mouth to produce more saliva. Plus, the textures of these vegetables can help brush gunk off your gums and pearly whites, aiding your saliva in its mission. As a bonus, the vitamins these veggies contain are great for your gums and bone health. (Though teeth are not bones, they are very similar in composition.) So, follow Peter Rabbit’s
lead and get in a daily serving of teeth-brushing vegetables. THINK ABOUT YOUR GUMS Since the purpose of gum is to be mashed between our teeth for long periods of time, it’s natural to produce buckets of saliva while enjoying a piece. But dentists warn that in order to get the full
benefits for your gums and teeth, you should be chewing sugar- free gum to avoid caking your mouth in enamel-gnawing sugars. Although the sugar content in most gum flavors isn’t high enough to completely outweigh the pros of the chewing motion and saliva production, it’s still wise to be mindful of the sugars your favorite gum contains. The best way to get the perfect smile is with regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing, but if you’re craving a treat, you can’t beat one that multitasks for you.
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3 WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE Mom Really Does Know Best
“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn't cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the- counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at
birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.
Chicken
SUDOKU
CHOP SUEY
Ingredients • 2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs • 3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4-inch ribbons • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions 1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once simmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice.
Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com
We’re located at 1011 Parkside Main between the Publix parking lot and the movie theater.
3 Wives’ Tales That Are True page 3 Chicken Chop Suey page 3 Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home page 4 Inside
Dr. Patti’s New Year’s Resolution page 1 Have a Cold? Recover Faster! page 2 Foods That Clean Your Teeth page 2
There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians Reuniting Brothers in Arms SGT. FIELDY COMES HOME
down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.
every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety.
This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking
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