THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Is There Time for One Last Dentist’s Appointment?
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there are countless things on the to-do list: presents to buy, holiday movies to watch, donations to make, and many other traditions that make the season wonderful. It’s a busy time, which is why most people put off visiting the dentist until January. Unfortunately, this understandable decision can backfire big-time. If you aren’t sure if you need to visit the dentist before the end of the year, here are a few questions you should ask. Have you been putting off going to the dentist? If you bit into an ice cream cone back in July and experienced sudden pain when the cold touched your teeth, you probably thought, “Uh-oh. I should get that checked out.” Then you blinked,
and suddenly you’re shopping for Christmas presents! It’s easy to let the year get away from you, but dental problems only get worse the longer you put them off. A small cavity today can become a root canal in a few weeks. Is dental pain distracting you from enjoying the holidays? Did you have to pass on a candy cane because the hard, sticky treat threatened to pull out a loose filling? Have you been thinking about an aching tooth when you should have been watching your kids open presents? Worrying about your teeth can really take you out of the moment when you’re spending time with loved ones. Do you have dental benefits left over from 2018? For many people, getting dental treatment in January will cost more than getting
treatment in December. This is because their premium payments reset in the new year, meaning their out-of-pocket costs go up again. If this wasn’t frustrating enough, all those benefits you are entitled to will expire soon! It doesn’t matter if you paid more into your insurance than you got out of it. Letting benefits expire without using them is as good as wasting money. If you have decided you need to make one more trip to the dentist, keep in mind that our offices will be closed a number of days during the month of December. This includes Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, so our team can celebrate the holidays with their families. Call 619-265-2467 to schedule your appointment soon so that we can get you in before the new year!
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
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30-Minute Cauliflower Soup This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth. Ingredients
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1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced
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4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
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1 leek, chopped
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1/2 cup heavy cream
1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream.
Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.
CANDLE COOKIES DECORATIONS FAMILY
GRATITUDE HOLIDAYS SNOWFLAKE SNOWMAN
SNOWSTORM TRADITION
TRAVEL WINTER
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P3
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