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SEPTEMBER 2017
8650 Candlelight Lane Suite One, Lenexa, Kansas 66215
www.PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com
913-631-2677
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The Last Sunburn of Summer
What did you do for Labor Day this year? We all have ways to celebrate the end of summer like going on picnics, to the lake or to a water park. But when I was a kid, my family had one very specific Labor Day tradition: the Bridenstine Santa Cruz excursion. Although I grew up close to the ocean, it was a bit of an endeavor to get there. We were in Concord, east of Oakland, and if we wanted to see sand and surf, we had to drive somewhere else. Santa Cruz was a popular destination for beachgoers all over that part of California at the time, and it remains so today. But for Labor Day, it was the only place we ever went, and we had a great time every year. We’d spend the first half of the day on the boardwalk enjoying the rides and taking in the carnival attractions. The Big Dipper roller coaster was a favorite of mine, even if it did feel like it was about to fall apart at any moment (it was made of wood). It’s still open to ride today, and I can’t imagine it’s gotten any less scary since I was a kid! We also loved the Looff Carousel on the boardwalk, especially trying to snatch those brass rings from the long horizontal dispenser and then trying to toss them into the clown’s mouth. After that we’d head to the beach, right next to the boardwalk. People here in the Midwest might think that California water is nice and warm, but I can tell you that’s not always the case. Santa Cruz is still pretty far north but it still gets the effects of the cold Alaska current flowing down along the California coastline, meaning the first few minutes in the ocean are pretty cold! Fortunately, you get numb pretty
quick, and then you can start having fun in the water. We usually brought a friend or two, and splashing around with a buddy was a pretty good way to spend the last day of summer. It also led to great memories, like the time my friend Jim took off swimming for a buoy about 100 yards offshore. He got there thinking he’d rest on the buoy and then swim back. Turns out, it was an empty potato chip bag! Needless to say, Jim was pretty tired by the time he got back — and maybe a little freaked out, too. After the beach we’d all pack up and head home, tired and happy. Like I said, it was a great time but tempered by the aftereffects of a beach day. We’d be sandy and uncomfortable on the way home, and at least a few of us would already be feeling the effects of the sun, knowing full well it was going to be even worse when we woke up the next morning for the first day of school. Sunburns and the first days back to school went hand in hand in my book! My parents kept making the trip with the younger kids long after I’d left the house, and it’s a family tradition I was able to share with my wife a few years ago when we went to the boardwalk and beach together. We rode the shaky, old Big Dipper and walked along the beach and pier. We enjoyed watching the sea otters swim in the ocean and sharks swimming under the pier. We decided not to go swimming that day. Great memories in Santa Cruz!
PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com | 913-631-2677 | 1 –Dr. Bridensti ne
EXTRACURRICULAR OVERLOAD How To Demystify Your Kids’ Jampacked Schedules Every parent knows that a poorly organized tangle of kids’ activities is a recipe for a migraine. As school starts up again, so does sports season, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Don’t let yourself get burnt out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind.
Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking into one system. Let’s get one thing straight: You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with a lighthouse on every page. One particularly attractive option is the Cozi app (cozi. com), which not only consolidates an entire family’s calendars, but allows you to include to-do lists, shopping lists, recipes, chore checklists, and more. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law. Form parent alliances. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and they have parents shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools — Noah’s mom drives them both Tuesday while you’ve got Thursdays — to
manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. To simplify the process and make sure everyone’s on the same page, check out the Carpool-Kids app at carpool-kids.com. It’ll let you directly invite other parents and set up weekly or one-shot carpool schedules. Maintain balance. You almost certainly will need to say no to additional extracurricular activities every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Johnny wants to do underwater basket weaving? Strange choice, but sure — though he’ll have to abandon either fencing or ice hockey. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.
“You are all awesome! I feel that every one of my needs were handled in the most sensitive and
“Your dental practice is the best I have ever been to. I have recommended two people to your office already, and they have been seen and are happy. Keep up the greatness!” –Brenda I. (Raymore, Missou ri)
individualized way. Actually, I never felt I would like going to the dentist; but with each of you being there for me, I can rest assured and look forward to yet another great experience for my oral health and my new, beautiful smile!” –Ju lie F. (Lenexa, K a nsas) “My crown feels great! On the way home yesterday, I thought it felt a bit high, but after chewing a little, it feels like my own tooth. I haven’t been able to chew on my left side in months. Thank you so much, Dr. Bridenstine, for such good work.” –Matt S. (Lenexa, K a nsas)
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Nip It in the Bud A Renewed Look at Preventative Oral Care We are all familiar with the adage
treatment (they had two or more cavities per year, plus fillings) and those who took preventative measures. The preventative patients received high-concentration fluoride varnish treatments from their dentists, regularly brushed and flossed, and limited their intake of sugary foods and beverages. developing tooth decay fall by 30–50 percent. In addition, patients who were considered at high risk for developing tooth decay, but who had improved their oral care, saw their risk drop by a staggering 80 percent! The lead researcher on the study, Professor Wendell Evans, concluded that, in many cases, tooth decay had the potential to be stopped and reversed, if not outright prevented. All it takes is a deliberate approach to care, treatment, and lifestyle. The group of patients who focused on preventative oral care saw their risk of
This study is great news for people who hate the idea of getting a filling, whether that antipathy stems from the procedure itself or the resulting medical costs. It also confirms what many dentists have long reminded patients: You can’t beat prevention when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile.
“Prevention is the best medicine,” and when it comes to oral health, and health in general, preventative care really can make all the difference. Not only can preventative care lead to better overall health, it can lower health care-related costs in the future. The results of preventative oral care are impressive. A seven-year study spearheaded by the University of Sydney in Australia confirmed the aforementioned truism. Originally published in 2015, the study examined 1,000 patients at 22 dental practices around Australia.
Researchers compared two groups of patients: those who had “drill and fill”
HAVE A
One-Pan
Laugh
HARVEST PASTA
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped (2 cups) • 2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans (white
• 1 cup dried whole grain elbow macaroni • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Kosher salt • Ground black pepper (optional) • Snipped fresh basil • Grated Parmesan cheese
kidney beans), rinsed and drained
• 1 3/4 cups reduced- sodium chicken broth
Directions
1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. Cook, uncovered,
2. Add beans, broth, pasta, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 7–10 minutes more or until vegetables and pasta are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; top with basil and Parmesan cheese and serve. PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com | 913-631-2677 | 3
7–10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally.
Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
8650 Candlelight Lane Suite One Lenexa, Kansas 66215 913-631-2677 PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com
Inside THIS ISSUE
The Last Sunburn of Summer PAGE 1 Extracurricular Overload Patient Testimonials PAGE 2
A Closer Look at Preventative Care One-Pan Harvest Pasta PAGE 3
Local Events PAGE 4
Kansas Claims to Fame
KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL When: September 2 through October 15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day
LENEXA SPINACH FESTIVAL When: September 9, all day Where: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park 14801 West 87th Street Parkway Lenexa, KS 66215
PLAZA ART FAIR When: September 22–24, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday and ending at 5 p.m. on Sunday Where: Country Club Plaza 4750 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112 Commemorating its 86th year, the Plaza Art Fair continues to be a nationally recognized event. From its humble beginnings during the Great Depression, the Art Fair has found its place as Kansas City’s greeting to the fall season. With 240 artists, three stages, and more than 25 restaurant booths, there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Where: 633 N. 130th Street Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Get your greens! While we focus on dental health, we’re always on the lookout for ways to keep the whole body healthy, and this festival provides plenty of opportunities to do just that. In case you didn’t know, Lenexa is the spinach capital of the world, and the Spinach Festival celebrates our claim to fame. Music, entertainment, and of course, healthy grub (including the world’s largest spinach salad) are all reasons to visit Lenexa on Saturday.
Hearken back to medieval times with the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Over a month long, the festival features themed events and big attractions. Go the last weekend in September to partake in Wine and Chocolate Delight, presented by Pirtle Winery. The Children’s Realm provides a haven to leave the kiddos where they’ll have as much fun as you do. In the marketplace, pick up locally made artisanal goods.
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