Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
MARCH 2023
*NEW ADDRESS! TYLER
LONGVIEW
3665 US Highway 259 N Longview, TX 75605
1520 Rice Road Suite 100 Tyler, TX 75703
903-758-5551
903-597-2201
www.texassedationdental.com
According to studies, we as humans hear anywhere from 20,000– 30,000 words throughout our day, but we only truly hear and absorb about 17%–25% of what we hear. Listening is a key part of our communication, and I’m guilty of this, too: Sometimes I listen, but I’m not truly listening. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to devote partial attention when someone is speaking to you. In honor of Listening Awareness Month, we can try to improve our listening skills to make our personal and professional lives better. Here are some reasons listening more attentively is worth the extra effort. I’M ALL EARS! Are You Listening to Respond or Listening to Understand?
to all they have to say before and after their dental appointments.
IT BOOSTS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY. When you actively listen to what is expected and required of you, you are better equipped to get projects done at home and work in
a more thorough and efficient manner. This means things are done right the first time around. Not to mention, when you take the time to listen, there is less room for a misunderstanding. IT BREEDS SUCCESS. When you develop your listening skills, you are more equipped to understand what others want and how to gather the information you need to build upon yourself, your goals, and your skills. All in all, listening helps you climb up the ladder to success. IT MAKES YOU MORE PATIENT. At work and home, patience is a virtue. Being a better listener helps you be more patient, too. When you stop listening to merely respond and start listening to really understand, you learn to embrace the silence that others need to truly convey their message and you allow them the time to fully explain their thoughts and feelings. This month, I encourage us all to take more time to focus on our listening skills. This world is chock full of noise, but it’s up to us to pay attention to the words and sounds that truly matter. Did you hear that?
IT BUILDS TRUST. If you’ve ever been listened to — I mean really listened to — you know that person genuinely cares and is interested in what you are saying and how you are feeling. When you use your
THIS WORLD IS CHOCK FULL OF NOISE, BUT IT’S UP TO US TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDS AND SOUNDS THAT TRULY MATTER.
energy and body language to show you are truly listening, this shows others you are invested — and it builds trust, which in turn helps to enhance those important relationships in your life. IT HELPS OTHERS ENJOY YOUR COMPANY. Whom would you rather engage in a conversation with: someone with their nose in their phone who nods here and there while you speak, or someone who gives you their undivided attention and responds with intention? As a dentist, it can sometimes be difficult to listen because when my patients talk, they usually have an instrument in their mouths. But I do my best to pay full attention
-Dr. Travis Kendall
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 | TYLER - 903-597-2201
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WHAT IS HEALTHSPAN? AND HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE IT
INVEST IN ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR FITNESS. Exercise is always an excellent investment for a healthier life, but to increase your healthspan, you’ll need to invest in all facets of your fitness, not just cardio. To diversify your health investments, focus on strength, power (how much energy you can output in a short time), balance, flexibility, and cardio. You can accomplish this through any activity, but ensure that your weekly exercises are well-rounded and include at least one exercise in each category. HOW MUCH YOU INVEST MATTERS. We all get busy, that much is true, but how much time you invest in your health makes a difference in how much you get on the return. Ideally, you want to exercise in one of the above categories for 30 minutes daily. If your schedule is slammed, and exercise seems impossible to fit in, try to exercise at a higher intensity (at a level where you cannot
If you’re retired or about to retire, you have a new and exciting life ahead of you. You may plan to travel the world, start a home project, or adopt a pet. Whatever you decide to do in your retirement, it’s essential to ensure you have as much time to enjoy it as possible.
hold a conversation during it) for at least 15 minutes a day for roughly the same results.
Investing in a well-rounded exercise routine with consistent time durations can improve your healthspan for many years. While the amount of time you have left is important, the quality of that time undoubtedly matters too. When you invest in your healthspan, you’re investing in your independence!
So, how do you make it last?
The best way to ensure you get the most out of your life after retiring is to focus on improving your healthspan. While your lifespan is how long you live, your healthspan is how long you can do things independently with complete physical and cognitive ability. Your healthspan also impacts the quality of life left in your lifespan, and the more you invest in it, the more you can enjoy your sunset years to their fullest.
Here’s what you can do to invest in your health now to get the highest return in the future.
Get Your Child Brushing Regularly
3 TIPS TO MAKE ORAL HEALTH FUN
If you have children, you are likely familiar with the struggle of helping your child brush their teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), children should start brushing as soon as their teeth begin to erupt through the gums, which in some cases can happen as early as 6 months of age. If a child has teeth, those teeth (even if there is only one) require adequate brushing. However, getting a baby or a toddler excited about tooth brushing can be a struggle. Let’s look at a few ways you can make brushing fun and exciting to ensure your child’s oral health is top-notch! BEGIN EARLY. Even before your child’s first tooth arrives, begin using cotton swabs or a damp cloth to wipe their gums at night before bed. Not only is this good hygiene practice, but it also
gets them used to having an object in their mouth touching their gums. Once that first tooth makes its appearance, you can then switch to a small toothbrush. As soon as they have two or more teeth that are touching, you can also begin introducing floss as well! BE A PRIME EXAMPLE. In their young years, your child is going to want to mimic everything you do. When they see you cooking, they want to join in. If you’re loading up the dishwasher, they think throwing their toys in there is helping out. The
same is true with brushing teeth. When you practice what you preach and brush and floss regularly, your child will pick up on this and is more likely to want to brush their teeth at the same time in the mirror next to you. CREATE GAMES. Whether you set a timer, play your child’s favorite song or offer incentives after they’ve successfully brushed their teeth, children love having fun while doing something they may not necessarily enjoy. Creative games can help your child brush for the recommended two minutes twice a day. Tooth decay and poor oral health in children are easily preventable as long as you start early and keep it up! With these three tips, you’ll be well on your way to helping your child develop great oral hygiene routines right out of the gate!
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Brushing your teeth regularly is essential for a healthy smile — it helps to remove bacteria, leftover food particles, and plaque, but overbrushing or brushing too aggressively can lead to potential problems! Let’s take a look! LOSS OF TOOTH ENAMEL When you brush your teeth too hard or too often, you run the risk of wearing down the strong protective outer layer of your teeth known as the enamel. This means the next layer, dentin, becomes exposed. Not only can your teeth then become extremely sensitive to heat and cold, but also staining and decay are much more likely. RECEDING GUMS The delicate tissues of your gums can potentially bleed if they are brushed too often or too aggressively, but even more alarming, they run the risk of receding, too! If they recede too far, the roots of your teeth can then become exposed, opening up the risk of infection, gum disease, or even loose or missing teeth. BRUSHING TIPS Remember that it isn’t about how hard you scrub or how long you brush, but rather it’s about consistency, care, and accuracy. When brushing, use a soft-bristled or medium-bristled brush, and be sure you cover all surfaces of each tooth with short strokes. Take care to use moderate pressure and brush twice a day for about two minutes each time. A good indicator that you are brushing your teeth too vigorously is if your toothbrush begins to show signs of damage or fraying before you’ve completed three months of use with that toothbrush. Lastly, if you experience any pain or bleeding while brushing, this is an indication something isn’t right and an adjustment needs to be made to your brushing habits. If you or a loved one has concerns that aggressive brushing habits have led to potential enamel erosion or gum damage, come see us today! We offer a variety of treatments to safeguard and help restore your smile! The Underlying Dangers of Overbrushing Too Much of a Good Thing
SMOKY SPICY BROCCOLI FRITTERS
Inspired by VeganRicha.com
• 2 1/2 cups chopped broccoli • 1/4 cup chopped onion • 1/4 cup packed cilantro • 1 tsp oil, plus more for frying • 1/3 tsp salt INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp smoked or regular paprika • 1 tsp chipotle pepper powder • 1 tbsp barbecue sauce • 3/4 cup chickpea flour
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor, add broccoli, onion, cilantro, and 1 tsp oil and process until uniform. Transfer to a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to distribute. 2. Let mixture sit for 2 minutes for the broccoli to leak enough moisture so you can form patties. If mixture is too wet, add more chickpea flour. If mixture is too dry and does not stick well, wait another few minutes or sprinkle some water and mix. 3. Shape into 5–6 patties. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil and spread it in the pan. 4. Pan-fry the patties for 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Serve with Sriracha, ketchup, barbecue sauce, marinara, or a cooling ranch as desired.
TAKE A BREAK
Basketball Books Daffodil Daylight Guinness Iditarod Leprechaun Popcorn Rainy Shamrock Suffrage Windy
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 TYLER - 903-597-2201 WWW.TEXASSEDATIONDENTAL.COM
3665 US HIGHWAY 259 N LONGVIEW, TX 75605
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
It’s Listening Awareness Month! The Investment You Can’t Afford to Skip It Doesn’t Have to Be Like Pulling Teeth Yes, You Can Overbrush Your Teeth
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Smoky Spicy Broccoli Fritters
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Want a Vitamin Boost?
SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
Health Benefits of Vitamin D
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. 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.
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!
Let’s take a look at the many benefits this vitamin provides for our bodies.
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