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The MONTHLY Smile
706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com
FEBRUARY 2019
IN HONOR OF NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
How to Get Your Kids Excited About Brushing!
Despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. In fact, reports indicate that by their 17th birthday, 80 percent of children will have at least one cavity. For this reason, the American Dental Association formulated the National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). Its purpose is to bring together thousands of dedicated professionals and health care providers to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, and educators all over the country. When it comes to patients, we here at Lake Oconee Dentistry can’t help but favor the smallest (and cutest) ones. So this month, we have sought out some new opportunities in order to educate children (and parents) about their dental care.
children in for a cleaning knowing that we may not actually be able to fully complete the process. These routine visits help get the child comfortable and prevent any trepidation they might have felt as they grow up. To build their level of comfort climbing into the chair, I always incorporate the magic of the tooth fairy. As a child, I had several extra teeth that had to be extracted, so the
In accordance with the NCDHM theme for 2019, “Brush and clean in between to build a healthy smile,” I’m serving as the guest speaker at a local preschool. I will go in and talk to children, ages 2–5, with the objective of making
“Ever since the day my 2-year- old daughter, Eva, had her first tooth come in, I’ve been especially interested in the ways I can help other children feel more comfortable climbing into the dentist chair.”
tooth fairy brought me a lot of money. I find that talking about the tooth fairy’s mystique keeps kids excited about their oral health.
Through my presentation at the preschool and these early office visits, I have the opportunity to educate parents on signs of tooth and gum decay. They will also learn ways to encourage their child to brush habitually, which any caregiver knows can be an extremely difficult task. Even though I’m a dentist, I have just as hard of a time getting Eva to brush her teeth as other parents do. Because she is at the stage where she wants to be independent and do everything herself, I let her brush first, and then I step in afterward. I also got her a stuffed bear that sings and brushes his teeth, so I’ll sing while we brush along with the bear. As Eva grows, I know that the methods by which I encourage her to keep up with her dental hygiene will have to change. If you are having difficulty getting your young child to brush regularly, know that you’re not alone. As your local dentists, we're here to help!
the practices associated with oral hygiene fun and interactive. My primary goals for this presentation are as follows: to spread education and awareness to parents and teachers regarding the prevalence of tooth decay, get the kids excited about cleaning their teeth, and most importantly, help assuage any potential fear these kids might feel about visiting the dentist. Ever since the day my 2-year-old daughter, Eva, had her first tooth come in, I’ve been especially interested in the ways I can help other children feel more comfortable climbing into the dentist chair. So many people spend their lives afraid of dental work, and I truly believe their fear stems from their experiences as a child. At Lake Oconee Dentistry, our philosophy is to invite parents to bring their young
–Dr. Shel ly
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THE CALCULATIONS THAT LEAVE US IN NEED OF AN EXTRA DAY Why Do We Need a Leap Year?
Every four years, February gains an extra day at the end of the month. But what does this contribute to the year as a whole? You might be surprised by what this one day does for us! The 365 days in each year represent the time it takes for the Earth to circle the sun. However, the orbit actually takes nearly a quarter of a day longer than that. The additional 0.2421 of a day might not seem like it would make a significant impact, but after a few decades, it adds up. To ensure the calendar and seasons stay on the right timeline, the leap day was created.
However, the Julian Calendar wasn’t perfect, because 0.2421 of a day can’t be rounded to a multiple of five, so it caused the calendar to have an extra 11 minutes every four years. Pope Gregory XIII fixed the problem in 1582 by creating the Gregorian Calendar. Now, a leap year occurs every four years except for the years that are evenly divisible by 100 and not 400. For instance, 1800 and 1900 were not leap years because they were divisible by 100. A LEAP DAY BIRTHDAY The odds of being born on Feb. 29 are about 1 in 1,500, which leaves approximately 187,000 people in the U.S. and 4 million people around the world celebrating their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1. People born on a Leap Day are faced with dilemmas such as which date they should receive their driver’s license. Although it varies from state to state, most consider March 1 the appropriate day for leap-year 16-year-olds — who are celebrating their fourth “official” birthday — to receive their license. With all the changes the calendar has undergone, it still isn’t quite perfect. Experts say that in about 10,000 years, it will need to be changed yet again. The next leap year occurs in 2020.
THE START OF THE LEAP YEAR The Egyptians were the first to officially calculate how many days it takes to orbit the sun, revealing the need for a leap year. Europeans at the time used a calendar that followed a lunar model, which needed an entire month added to retain consistency. The leap year wasn’t introduced into Europe until the reign of Julius Caesar. With the help of astronomer Sosigenes, Caesar created the Julian Calendar, which included 12 months and 365 days, with a single day added every fourth year.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOWABOUT GROUNDHOG DAY? 3 Myths About Our Favorite Furry Meteorologist
MYTH 3: PHIL IS THE ONLY FAMOUS RODENT.
While most, if not all, meteorologists place little value on a furry marmot’s ability to predict an early spring, the annual tradition of Groundhog Day is still one that millions of people love to celebrate. Because it is based more on folkloric legend than scientific evidence, Groundhog Day is associated with shams and spoofs of varying degrees. There are many myths regarding the tradition as well as the famous Punxsutawney Phil himself. MYTH 1: THE PREDICTIONS ARE ACCURATE. Many event-goers put a lot of faith in Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions. Unfortunately, he is more likely to be wrong than right. According to studies based on Phil’s predictions and the weather patterns that follow, it seems Phil’s predictions receive an accuracy rate of only 39 percent. MYTH 2: GROUNDHOG DAY IS HARMLESS. Much like humans, most groundhogs don’t like being suddenly jostled out of their sleep. Their frustration often leads to them biting their handlers. For this reason, the handlers usually wear heavy gloves to protect themselves. However, that isn't always enough of a precaution to ensure everyone's safety. In 2009, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was bitten through his glove, and subsequent Mayor Bill de Blasio dropped his groundhog in 2014.
While Phil is probably the most well-known ground- dwelling meteorologist, he is not the only groundhog with weather predicting abilities. For example, General Beauregard Lee is the weather predictor for the city of Lilburn, Georgia. Staten Island Chuck takes
care of the New York territory, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has three groundhogs of its own, which is probably due to its rich Pennsylvania Dutch history. Canada has even started a Groundhog Day tradition with Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia and Balzac Billy in Alberta. Even though Groundhog Day is a holiday based on many myths, it still provides a great time for event-goers all across the world. You might not be able to fully trust Phil’s predictions, but the superstition and mystique associated with this unique and festive day make it one you shouldn’t skip out on.
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3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY Strength of Mind
Irish poet Oscar Wilde once called memory “the diary that we all carry about with us.” Of course, in Wilde’s time, the average life expectancy was less than 50 years old. As modern medicine continues to enable people to live longer, these “diaries” tend to become muddled. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract the natural dulling of our memory that comes with time. PUZZLE YOURSELF Just like any other muscle, our brain needs a workout in order to stay strong. As Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of Harvard Medical School writes, “Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells.” Activities like solving puzzles, learning a musical instrument, or picking up a new hobby work wonders to keep your mind active and your memory sharp. These mental exercises are especially important after retirement, often to make up for the loss of stimulating challenges that work used to provide. GET PHYSICAL Taking care of our physical health has also been shown to help brain function. According to a study by Sydney University in Australia, aerobic exercise is particularly good at jogging our memory. The researchers note that “aerobic exercise acts by preventing the usual decrease in neurogenesis associated with aging, thus resulting in greater retention of neural matter — particularly in the hippocampus.” In short, exercises like swimming and running keep the part of our brain responsible for memory from shrinking.
SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY Humans are social creatures. Many studies have shown that being a part of a supportive social group can significantly benefit our physical and mental health. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health reports that people who have daily contact with friends and family cut their risk of dementia and mental impairment almost in half. Our mental diaries may be longer and fuller than they were in Wilde’s day, but if we fill those pages with hobbies, exercise, and close friends, our memories will remain sharp and vivid for the rest of our days.
SUDOKU
TIRAMISU
Ingredients • 6 egg yolks • 3 tablespoons sugar • 1 pound mascarpone cheese • 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
• 2 teaspoons dark rum • 24 packaged ladyfingers • 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish
Instructions 1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve.
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 Ways to Improve Your Memory page 3 Tiramisu page 3 3 Ways Nature Improves Your Health page 4 Inside
How to Get Your Kids Excited About Dental Health page 1 Why Do We Need A Leap Year? page 2 3 Myths About Our Favorite Furry Meteorologist page 2
AWALK IN THE WOODS IS THE PRESCRIPTION 3 Ways Contact With Nature Improves Your Health
Our ancestors were deeply connected to their natural environment, mostly because their survival depended on it. With no Whole Foods available, those who could best track a mammoth, find water, and forage for edible plants kept themselves alive and passed on their genes. Given our history as hunter-gatherers, it’s no wonder contact with nature provides us with several health benefits. A MEMORY BOOST In a University of Michigan study, a group of students were asked to take a memory test that involved repeating numbers back to researchers. Next, researchers separated the students into two groups. Group A took a walk around an arboretum and Group B walked along busy city streets. Afterward, they were asked to take the memory test again. Group A, the students who had walked in the arboretum, performed 20 percent better on the memory test. Group B didn’t show any marked improvement. Additional research has corroborated the memory-enhancing effects of nature. A MOOD BOOST Observing the benefits nature has for cognitive function, scientists wondered what effects it might have on individuals diagnosed with depression. In one study from the University of Essex, participants
with major depressive disorder reported an improvement in self- esteem and mood after spending time in nature. Exercising while in nature resulted in even more of a mood boost for participants. A CALMING EFFECT Research also shows that spending time in nature reduces stress. In a study conducted by Chiba University in Japan, participants spent two nights in the forest. Researchers evaluated their levels of stress hormones during and after this period and compared it to their normal work days in the city. Across the board, participants’ stress levels were much lower during the days spent in the forest and for several days afterward. Today, we’re less connected to our natural environment than our ancestors were. Modern comforts and technology mean we don’t have to go outside to get our food. But nature is still accessible and you don’t have to go far to find it. In many of the studies, even minor exposure to the outdoors, like adding plants to your home or looking out a window during work, showed health benefits. This winter, find ways to bring a little more nature into your life each day. Your brain will thank you.
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