M O N T H L Y
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NOV/DEC. 2019
USE ‘ EM OR LOSE ‘ EM
Plan Ahead for the Next Year
During the last few months of the year, our offices at Elite Smiles become even busier. Many people are eager to schedule their dental appointments before celebrating the holidays with their families, but that's not the only reason why it’s important to get into the office before 2020. It’s essential to take advantage of the dental benefits you’ve been paying for all year before they reset in 2020. Each year, your dental plan maximum is set back to its annual amount on Jan. 1. While this is good news for your future self, it also means that whatever is left in your dental plan will be lost. Whatever you haven’t used in 2019 — the coverage you’ve worked so hard to earn — will not carry into the new year. Instead, that money will go directly to the insurance company. Although thousands of people use dental plans, a large majority won’t use their maximum. In fact, the National Association of Dental Plans states that “only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plans reach or exceed their plan’s annual maximum benefits.” Anyone paying their monthly dues for their dental benefits knows the importance of their oral health, which is why using those dental coverages is so essential. With all this in mind, you might be asking yourself, “How can I guarantee I’m getting the most out of my benefits year-round?” While the end of the year gives very little wiggle room to get an appointment scheduled, it’s never too late to provide yourself with the tools you need for a successful new year. By thinking and planning ahead, you’ll never have to worry about scheduling that last appointment of the year again.
appointment before your benefits officially reset. This can also be a good time to ensure that you’re receiving the benefits you need and to reevaluate your benefits if necessary.
Start thinking about using your coverage earlier in the year rather than later. Ask your dentist about setting an early fall appointment during your spring or summer visits. Don’t be afraid to talk about what treatments you might need and can take care of before the end of the year. Talking with your dentist about how much those services will be and how much your dental plan covers can also help you plan the year. Our team encourages all our patients to use what little time is left of the year to get into our office, especially if they haven’t had the chance earlier this year, and to start planning for 2020. We can help you achieve all your dental goals and maintain your dental health year-round.
The first step in planning out your dental benefits for the new year is to check your dental plan to see if those benefits will end on Dec. 31 or not. A select few dental plans end at another time of the year, and it’s best to start planning your next dental
–Steven Freeman
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DON’T LET YOUR SNORING IMPACT YOUR HEALTH Find Relief With SomnoDent’s Oral Appliances
TEA TIME What’s Swirling Around in Your Cup? Tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is the second-most popular drink in the world, with water being the first. It is the national drink of several nations, including China and India, and is an integral component of religious ceremonies the world over. Drinking tea has been known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. In addition to these instant benefits, tea can also help improve a person's long-term health through regular consumption. YOUR HEART According to Harvard Health Institute, several studies show that those who regularly drink black and green tea are at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These types of tea contain antioxidants and flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that help dilate arteries and reduce bad cholesterol. Studies also link tea consumption with improved vascular reactivity — how well your blood vessels respond to stress. YOUR BRAIN Flavonoids don’t only fight heart disease; these chemicals can also reduce any vascular damage to the brain. The National University of Singapore has conducted studies that link reduced risks of dementia in the elderly with regular tea consumption. The results speak for themselves: “The longitudinal study involving 957 Chinese seniors aged 55 years or older has found that regular consumption of tea lowers the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly by 50%, while APOE e4 gene carriers who are genetically at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may experience a reduction in cognitive impairment risk by as much as 86%.”
If you feel tired even after a full night’s rest or if your loud snoring keeps both your spouse and yourself up at night, then you could have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping condition in which you stop breathing periodically throughout the night. This results in reduced oxygen levels within the body, leading to degraded physical, mental, and oral health. Dentists are apt to diagnose and treat sleep apnea because one of its primary symptoms is tooth grinding. Sleep apnea is most commonly treated through the use of oral appliances, such as those created by SomnoDent, which are used to increase sleep quality, reduce snoring, and improve overall health. SOMNODENT ORAL APPLIANCES At Elite Smiles, we know the severity of discomfort and pain that sleep apnea can cause, which is why we provide solutions through SomnoDent. These oral appliances are FDA-approved and a great alternative for people who can’t or don’t want to use corrective or CPAP therapy. SomnoDent offers several types of oral appliances: Classic, Fusion, SUADs, Flex, Herbst Advance, AIR/AIR+, and Morning Repositioner. Each device is chosen and custom-made with each person’s individual needs in mind. They are comfortable, durable, and effective for treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. BENEFITS OF SOMNODENT As mentioned above, these appliances are beneficial for people desiring alternative methods to treat their sleep apnea. Unlike other treatments, SomnoDent’s oral appliances give patients the ability to open and close their mouth while wearing the device, making it easy to drink a glass of water, yawn, or talk. This device is also adjustable, meaning a person can adjust how far their lower jaw is advanced to be as comfortable as possible. One of the most significant advantages that comes with SomnoDent is their adaptability. A person who has bridgework, missing teeth, a full upper denture, or crowns can use a SomnoDent appliance easily.
YOUR MOOD Tea leaves contain the amino acid L-theanine, which stimulates several feel-good neurotransmitters, like serotonin and gamma- Aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters help boost your mood and alertness. According to a study by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, tea even has the ability to ward off depression. The study took 22,817 participants with 4,743 cases of depression over 11 studies, and 13 reports found that individuals who drank three cups of tea a day decreased their depression risk by 37%. So, the next time you want a warm beverage that will do your mind and body good, reach for some tea and bask in all the health benefits as you sip.
Sleep apnea doesn’t have to rule your night. Give Elite Smiles a call to receive your custom- made SomnoDent oral appliance today.
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H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y , M I C K E Y !
How Much Do You Know About This Famous Mouse?
FIRST CARTOON CHARACTER TO SPEAK Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to be given a voice. His first words, spoken by none other than Walt Disney himself, were "hot dog,” which soon became his catchphrase. Here’s an even more fun fact: The third person to ever voice Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, eventually married the voice actor of Minnie Mouse, Russi Taylor, after they met on the set of a Disney special. A DISCO-DANCING FIEND Mickey's 1979 disco album, “Mickey Mouse Disco,” went double platinum in 1984, the first children's album to do so. The album included disco versions of Disney songs as well as "Disney-fied" versions of popular disco hits. If you ever want to hear what all the hype was about, you can still find this album on iTunes. These are just some of many fun Mickey Mouse facts to develop over his legendary 91-year legacy. To celebrate Mickey’s birthday on Nov. 18, find your favorite Mickey Mouse movie and watch it with the whole family!
It's true what they say: Everything gets better with age. For 91 years, Mickey has brought laughter and joy to both children and adults all over the world. November is Mickey Mouse's birthday month, so let's celebrate with these fun facts about our favorite cartoon mouse. A MOUSE BY ANY OTHER NAME ... Walt Disney originally named the mouse "Mortimer," but his wife suggested “Mickey.” Disney later introduced a character named Mortimer, who had little in common with Mickey besides a shared last name and romantic interest in Minnie Mouse. THE MOST POPULAR WRITE-IN CANDIDATE It's true; Mickey is the most popular write-in candidate during election season. As one Georgia election supervisor noted in 2012, "Mickey always gets votes. If he doesn't get votes in our election, it's a bad election." But he’s not the only Disney character who gets unwavering support. According to a California election worker, "Donald Duck is a close second." So, if you're one of the many who believe Mickey Mouse would be an excellent U.S. president, you’re not alone.
Win 4 Annual Passes to Disney World! HERE'S HOW TO ENTER REFER A FRIEND = 3 ENTRIES REVIEW US ON GOOGLE = 2 ENTRIES “CHECK-IN” OR TAG US IN A POST ON FACEBOOK = 2 ENTRIES EVERY NEW KID'S APPOINTMENT = 1 ENTRY
Sudoku
CONTEST ENDS DEC. 31, 2019
Answer on Page 4
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
I N S I D E
Using the Coverage You Paid For
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Spilling the Tea on Tea
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Don’t Keep Sawing Those Logs
Fun Facts About Mickey Mouse
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Win a Trip to Disney World!
Local Events
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Local Events S T . A U G U S T I N E T H E E ND OF ON E Y E A R AND T H E S TA R T OF ANOT H E R
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ACTIVITIES TO SEND OFF 2019 WITH A BANG AND GREET 2020 FULL OF EXCITEMENT, MAKE SURE YOU SET SOME TIME ASIDE TO CHECK OUT THESE CAPTIVATING EVENTS!
who arrives an hour before the show begins will enjoy an interactive preshow, where you can play a few games and meet the Venardos Circus cast! NIGHTS OF LIGHTS Where: St. Augustine Visitors Information Center When: Nov. 23–Feb. 2 Admission : $6.99–$18.99 Website: FloridasHistoricCoast.com/nights-lights St. Augustine will host the Nights of Lights Tour once again this year for its 26th anniversary! This tradition of decorating St. Augustine in bright lights is reminiscent of when this city was once the capital of Spanish Florida for nearly 250 years; each year, residents placed lighted candles in their windows in celebration of the holidays. Now is your chance to experience this annual celebration yourself!
FLORIDA WILD ART EXHIBIT Where: The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery When: Nov. 1–Dec. 29 Admission : Free! Website: STAAA.org If you’re an art lover, head over to the historic district before 2019 ends for a chance to see several of the most stunning nature and wildlife paintings in the St. Augustine area. This enticing exhibit will allow guests to admire every painting on display. Those who come will also have a chance to walk away with a beautiful painting depicting the wilderness, plants, waterways, and animals native to Florida to hang inside your home.
VENARDOS CIRCUS Where: The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
When: Dec. 18–Jan. 5 Admission : $15–$45 Website: VenardosCircus.com
The Venardos Circus is coming back to St. Augustine for its third year, and they're ready to entertain the community for the next three weeks! Get your share of dancing, music, magic, stage artistry, acrobatics, and daredevilry throughout 32 shows that will have you cheering and gasping through the entire performance. Attendees can enjoy lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs, the all-time favorite foods you’ll want for a full circus experience. As an extra treat, anyone
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