Check out our May newsletter!
MAY 2020
LONGVIEW TYLER
444 Forest Square Suite E Longview, TX 75605
2124 South Donnybrooke Ave. Tyler, TX 75701
903-758-5551
903-597-2201
www.texassedationdental.com
WE’RE BACK IN BUSINESS!
Some Things Have Changed, but We’re Still Here for You
A s of Monday, May 4, Texas Sedation Dental & Implant closed, except for emergency services, we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to get back to serving the community we love. But things aren’t quite as “business as usual” as you might expect. If you make an appointment to come see us, there are a few new changes and important procedures we want you to know about. Center is back open for business! After nearly two months of being Whether you contact us to schedule a new appointment or you’ve had a standing appointment with us that’s coming up, we’ll be asking you to call our office directly to make or confirm your appointment. This is because we’re required to walk you through a verbal checklist assessment of your health, during which we’ll ask you where you’ve traveled recently and what kind of symptoms — if any — you might be experiencing. If there’s any indication that coming to see us may not be the safest decision at this time, we’ll just get you rescheduled for a future date. All patients who do come to see us will be required to read and sign what we’re calling “risk paperwork.” What this means is that you understand and accept that your decision to
seek services from us potentially puts you at risk. We’re doing everything we can to make sure your visit with us is as low risk as possible, and we hope that you would do the same. This paperwork just makes sure we’re all on the same page. When you arrive at our office, you’ll see right away the steps we’re taking to make our environment lower risk. Things might seem a little strange, but every new step is in place so that we can safely serve you. Our waiting room is closed, which means you’ll check in by calling a specific phone number. Then you’ll wait in your car until your chair is ready, and we’ll personally come out to the parking lot to get you. We’ll also have you put on a disposable face mask when you come inside, and you’ll see our entire staff doing the same. In fact, our doctors and hygienists are all wearing full-face shields, gowns, and gloves while they do their work. We may look funny, but we promise we’re the same smiling people underneath all the protective equipment! Your appointment may also take a little longer than usual. Although we’ve always had very thorough hygiene and cleaning procedures, we’re now doubling our sanitizing efforts before and after every patient we see and reducing the number of people on our team who interact with each patient at a time. The process involves a few
extra steps, and we’re thankful that you’re willing to bear with us.
Before COVID-19, we enjoyed smiling, telling bad jokes, and giving our patients hugs. Times have changed a bit, and the way we look and the way we do things might be a little different than they were before. Yes, the handshakes and hugs have to be put on hold for now, but the smiles are just as big as they were before. I guarantee the jokes we tell are just as bad, only now they’re a little more muffled, so maybe that’s a good thing. But through it all, we’re still just as happy and excited to take care of all your dental needs as we’ve ever been.
–Dr. Travis Kendall
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PUNCTUATION’S PROBLEM CHILD Why the Interrobang Fizzled Out
It’s a punctuation mark that’s over 50 years old, but you may not have heard of it before. It’s an odd-looking squiggle that denotes a common inflection, but many experts argue it has no place on paper. In an age when thoughts are limited to 280 characters, wouldn’t a single punctuation mark that does the job of two be valuable? Some say yes, others say no thank you. So what is this mystery punctuation mark? It’s the interrobang! In 1962, advertising agent Martin K. Speckter believed ads would look better if rhetorical questions were conveyed using a single mark. He merged the question mark, also called an interrogative point, with the exclamation point, known in the jargon of printers as a “bang,” and the interrobang was born.
in some dictionaries and even on some typewriters in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. And while it was used in magazine and newspaper articles for several years, it wasn’t meant to last.
rhetorical or not. But the reason people don’t use the interrobang to serve
the same purpose is simple: It’s not a key on keyboards. There are still certain fonts that are equipped to display the nonstandard mark, but if you want to use
There are a few explanations for why the interrobang never took off, but the most prominent one says that as writing styles changed, there was less use of rhetorical questions in writing, especially formal writing. Because the interrobang was originally intended to denote rhetorical questions, it faded from use. Today, using the two punctuation marks that make up the interrobang is still popular, especially in nonformal writing like social media copy. Any variation of “!?” denotes a sense of excitement, urgency, or disbelief in the form of a question,
it, you have to go digging for it. It’s just much quicker to write two punctuation marks than search for a single one. But who knows what the future will bring? Language is in an ever-changing state, and the interrobang may rise again. Or will it ‽
In the first few years of its existence, the interrobang made some mild headway, appearing
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS Know When It’s Time to See the Dentist
DRY MOUTH
Now that our office is open for regular business again, you can make that appointment you’ve been putting off! In addition to keeping up with your regular hygiene practices, there are certain signs you should be aware of so you know to make an appointment as soon as possible.
A healthy mouth has lots of saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize the acids produced by plaque. If your mouth is unusually dry, your dentist can determine what might be causing it and find ways to restore moisture to your mouth.
RECEDING GUMS
LOOSE TEETH
Some gum recession is normal with aging, but it can also be a sign of uncleanliness or disease. No matter the cause, retreating gums are dangerous because they expose the delicate roots of your teeth, increase the risk of decay, and can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss.
If you notice any shifting teeth or widening gaps, it could be a sign of bone loss or infection. Also, note the way your teeth or dentures fit together when you bite down. If something feels off, your dentist needs to know so they can make adjustments.
your mouth, it could be a fungal infection. Your dentist can prescribe medicine to treat it.
BLEEDING
TOOTHACHES
BUMPS OR SORES
Blood on your toothbrush or in the sink after you brush or floss isn’t normal. It could mean you’re developing periodontal disease, an infection of the tissues in your mouth. It could also mean you’re not brushing well or flossing regularly. Other signs of periodontal disease include red, swollen, or tender gums.
If your teeth or any other part of your mouth is in pain, it’s worth bringing up to your dentist. Toothaches and sensitivity shouldn’t be ignored, as they could be signs of cavities, abscesses, broken teeth, or a damaged filling. Only your dentist can determine what the source of your pain is and treat it.
Some canker sores are common and will clear up on their own, but other oral lesions that can result from fungal infections should be taken seriously. If you have white sores on your tongue, inner cheek, tonsils, or the roof of
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When the young dental school graduate, Dr. Frederick McKay, opened his first dental practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in early 1901, he was unaware that it was his first step on the long road of discovery. As McKay began seeing patients, he was startled that so many of the residents had brown stains on their teeth, most of which were permanent. Baffled as to why this was happening, the young dentist dove into research, trying to find a source, but he continuously came up empty. However, he did find that while the teeth were stained chocolate brown, they were highly resistant to decay. Spurred on by local rumors that blamed the stains on extra minerals in the water, McKay began traveling to other towns where this condition was appearing. From Colorado Springs, he went across the Rocky Mountains to Oakley, Idaho, and discovered the same; although residents’ teeth had brown stains, they were resistant to decay. After taking a water analysis, however, it provided no answers. Eventually, this water theory took McKay to Bauxite, Arkansas, where he met Dr. Grover Kempf, a worker for the United States Public Health Service. The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) had received multiple complaints from the locals in Bauxite saying their brown teeth were caused by toxins from the company. However, as before, both McKay and Kempf found nothing wrong with the water. The chief chemist of ALCOA, H.V. Churchill, was worried about the reputation of the company and decided to take matters into his own hands. He conducted his own test of the water using photospectrographic analysis, a more sophisticated method than McKay had been using, and after a few days, the results came in: The water contained high levels of fluoride. Churchill sent a letter to McKay, recommending that the dentist collect water samples from the other towns. After more testing, they found that the drinking water from each town where brown staining occurred contained high levels of fluoride. More research determined that in low dosages, fluoride can provide decay- resistant benefits without staining teeth. Ever since, people across the country have fought decay through fluoridation and kept their bright, white smiles. The Accidental Discovery WATER FLUORIDATION
Who says the cookout has to ruin your diet? Try this paleo-friendly recipe for a main dish that’s worthy of your next barbecue. INGREDIENTS GRILLED PRIME RIB
•
1 1/2 lbs beef rib roast
•
1 tsp Himalayan salt
•
1/2 tsp black pepper
DIRECTIONS
BUTTERFLY FLOWERS JEDI LADYBUG MAYFLY MEMORIAL MEXICO MOTHERS OUTDOORS POLLEN SUNSHINE TAURUS
1. Take rib roast out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling. 2. Season roast with salt and pepper and allow it to rest for 10 minutes while you heat a gas grill to 600 F.
3. Sear roast for 3–4 minutes on each side.
4. Turn off the grill but continue cooking the steak, flipping every 4–5 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 F. Remove from grill. 5. Allow the roast to rest — its internal temperature will continue to climb — for 5–10 minutes. Slice and serve.
Inspired by Primal Palate
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 TYLER - 903-597-2201 WWW.TEXASSEDATIONDENTAL.COM
444 FOREST SQUARE, SUITE E LONGVIEW, TX 75605
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
A Few New Procedures to Share WithYou
2
HaveYou Heard of the Interrobang? Recognizing Oral Health Concerns
3
Wait,Those BrownTeeth Are Healthy? Grilled Prime Rib TheTimeless Charm of the Drive-In Movie
4
S ummertime is synonymous with many childhood experiences: hours splashing in the pool, sleepaway camp, and snow cones, to name a few. A quintessential summer destination that isn’t as common these days is the drive-in theater, yet many childhood memories are built on this little bit of nostalgia. The first drive-in theater opened in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. At the time, films cost 25 cents per person, plus 25 cents per car, and drive-ins usually got movies in the second run, after they’d shown at indoor theaters. The trend started off slow, but by the ‘50s, Americans had fully embraced the outdoor theater experience. The ‘80s brought a charismatic Michael J. Fox to audiences in “Back to the Future,” and shortly after, “The Sandlot” hit the big screen and
THE TIMELESS CHARM OF THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
you can enjoy the outdoor movie experience without having to leave your backyard.
Your outdoor cinema starts with a projector. If you don’t have one, they are readily available to purchase at most big-box stores. For playing the movie, you’ll need a laptop and streaming service or a DVD or Blu-ray player. You’ll connect these devices to your projector through an HDMI port. As long as you’re not broadcasting to the whole neighborhood, stereo or computer speakers should be just fine, but you can also opt for a Bluetooth speaker that will give your audio a big boost. Next, you’ll need a flat surface to display the movie. A plain, white bedsheet makes a good screen, or you can make your own with white fabric from craft stores or online. Cushions, blankets, and outdoor hanging lights add a fun touch to your
Plus, How to Create Your Own Outdoor Cinema
gave us lines that we’d quote for the next decade (“You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”). As of 2018, USA Today estimated that only about 330 drive-in theaters still exist in the United States. But if you don’t have one in your area, there’s a way
cinema. Just be sure to turn the lights off before the movie begins — and silence those cellphones!
Once your setup is complete, select your movie, get the popcorn popping, and enjoy some movie magic right in your backyard.
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