Kenneth Woo DDS - May 2019

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From Roommates to Business Partners

WOO’S NEWS MAY 2019 Mybestdentalcare.com

DR. WANG SHARES THE JOURNEY OF WOO WANG DENTAL

I’ve known Dr. Edmond Woo since 2006, when

longed for more of a challenge. I knew Edmond was working with his dad, Dr. Kenneth Woo, and I decided to ask if their practice needed an extra dentist for a few days each week. Turns out, that's exactly what they were looking for. So, I began working at Kenneth Woo, DDS, and by 2016, I was practicing with them full time. Eventually, my position grew to the point where Edmond felt comfortable enough to ask me to partner with him and his father, but I was a bit hesitant. I knew I wanted to be part of a team and that becoming a solo practitioner just wasn’t my calling, but I also wanted to make sure I was ready. By the end of 2016 and into 2017, I knew the time had come. In 2017, Kenneth Woo, DDS, transformed into Woo Wang Dental. The process to get where we are today has been incredibly stressful and rewarding, and I’m proud of our team for all their work. As we grow, I’m learning how to let changes happen organically, and I’m very excited to see how we continue to expand in the future, especially with the dedicated team we have. Admittedly, part of the stress of growing a partnership has included the vast changes in my personal life. Ester and I welcomed our son Braedon into our lives on April 15, 2017, and parenting has been an exciting learning curve. We’re looking forward to Braedon joining us on our adventures and getting back to exploring and hiking. While it’s nearly impossible with a toddler in tow to continue our passion of trying new foods at various restaurants, what we’re giving up is nothing compared to the joy Braedon gives us. As I continue to expand my expertise and develop Woo Wang Dental with Edmond and Kenneth, I’m also grateful for the patients who have trusted us during this process, especially since each one of you makes my dream a reality every day. And if you do confuse me for Dr. Edmond Woo, don’t worry too much. After 12 years of friendship, a few years living together, and now partnering in a practice, I know there’s no better person to be mistaken for.

he was one of my two roommates during dental school. For about three years,

we shared a living space, swapped notes and study tactics, and bonded

17 Firstfield Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 240.683.3833 3704 Perry Ave. Kensington, MD20895 301.933.1833 2 Locations

over the stresses of dental school. And if you asked our professors, we sometimes seemed like the same person, too. Between being the same height and wearing glasses, our professors confused us all the time, and we still experience some confusion over who is who from people we haven't seen in a while. To this day, we continue to be great friends, and I’m often reminded of how much fun we had together in dental school. We were all pretty close, to the point where my other roommate and I used to joke with Edmond, asking if he could just hire us to work at his dad’s practice when we graduated. Prior to graduating dental school, Edmond and I were both placed in residency programs in New York City, so we continued to stay in touch. Once we graduated in 2010, I moved to Massachusetts with my wife, Ester, as she continued her studies in pediatric dentistry. We stayed in Massachusetts until 2015, when we decided that we wanted to return to Maryland. Having grown up in Gaithersburg, this area is special to me, and while my family has since moved to New Jersey, Ester and I originally spent some time It’s funny how life works out sometimes.

in Maryland to be closer to her family.

When we first returned to Maryland, I was working at another practice, but I

—Dr.HokaiWang

Enjoying some time with the team in between our dentistry seminars!

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National Learn About Composting Day! Black Gold for Your Garden Soil or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture. Why Do We Compost? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. Learn About Composting Day The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.

Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mommight have

kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn.

Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started. What Is Compost? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; and wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats,

Gift Ideas for Every Mom This Mother’s Day JUST FOR MOM

For the Far Away Mom Being apart from your mom on this special day can make celebrating her difficult, but online shopping and delivery services can make the distance seem shorter. If you want to stick with the traditional route, search for

The countdown to Mother’s Day is on, and the women in your life deserve appreciation for all they did and continue to do for you. Check out this comprehensive guide to find your mom, sister, grandma, aunt, or wife the perfect Mother’s Day present. For the Outdoorsy Mom Show your mom how much you care about her personal time by gifting her some outdoor gear, hiking equipment, gardening tools, or new plants. These gifts are perfect for a mom who enjoys spending her days digging in the dirt, hauling in some bass, and exploring hiking trails. Better yet, plan a day that includes her favorite outdoor activities, and you will have one happy camper. For the Sentimental Mom If you’re looking for bonus points by making Mom a little misty-eyed, your best bet is a sentimental gift. Think of something meaningful to your mom and find a way to turn that into a gift, such as a painting, engraving, or desk plaque. Of course, nothing is more meaningful to a mom than her kids, so if you can find a way to include the birthstones, names, or birthdates of her kids and grandchildren in a gift, she will be reaching for the tissues.

flower delivery services, or go nontraditional and offer to pay for three months of a meal

delivery service. Online stores like Amazon or Etsy have affordable and customizable presents you can mail your mother to let her know that you appreciate her, even when you’re thousands of miles apart. For the Laidback Mom If your mom doesn’t want too much fuss, you can still find a way to shower her with appreciation this Mother’s Day. Offer to tidy up her home, clean out the garage, or spruce up her yard. Small gestures like these can go a long way in making your mom feel appreciated.

Don’t forget to shower your mom with love this May, and from all of us at Woo Wang Dental, we hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

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Q: What do dentists do on a roller coaster? A: Braces themselves.

Your Smile, Your Way

Missing teeth can affect your entire body. The gap in your smile can create additional dental and

HOW DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

sinus issues, and because eating is more difficult with missing teeth, your body may not get the proper

vitamins and minerals it needs to function at a healthy rate. Those same nutrients are needed to keep your teeth strong; without them, your smile continues to suffer.

False teeth have been the answer to tooth loss for decades, but visions of Grandpa’s dentures scare people away from seeking help. Dentures can be a viable option, but for patients seeking a more permanent solution, dental implants can offer them a confident smile that better fits their lifestyle. In fact, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, implants can be the next best thing to natural teeth, and the Academy for Oral Implantology in Austria reports a 97 percent success rate among patients. So, what makes dental implants so effective? Dental implants are surgically planted into your jaw bone within the teeth sockets. Screws anchor these false chompers to your jaw, and they can even be used to stabilize dentures in your mouth. The implants are designed and colored to look like your real teeth as well. This process may sound painful, complicated, and scary, but dental implant technology has vastly improved in recent years. Most patients even report feeling less pain during the procedure than when the tooth initially fell out! Dental implants are designed to mimic your teeth, acting as a permanent fixture in your mouth, so smiling, laughing, and eating are no longer a concern. It is important to consider your lifestyle and health when contemplating dental implants. This procedure is best for patients who have a strong bone density and immune system, since the process can be slightly invasive. The procedure is recommended for patients who adhere to strict oral hygiene routines, and it is not an option for smokers or tobacco users.

Strawberry Mango Paletas

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• • • •

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped

Directions

1. In a saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and clean the blender. Then, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 5. Into 8 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 6. Using a small knife, gently swirl layers together. 7. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid. 8. Dip molds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.

If you want to feel confident in your smile and achieve optimal oral health, the experts at Woo Wang Dental can help. Learn more by calling 301.993.1833 or 240.683.3833, or visit MyBestDentalCare.com.

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17 Firstfield Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20878 mybestdentalcare.com 240.683.3833

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WHAT'S INSIDE?

How We Began 1

Black Gold What Should You Get Mom? 2 All About Dental Implants Strawberry Mango Paletas 3 Is Summertime Bad for Your Skin? 4

Soak Up the Sun Without Damaging Your Skin

4 TIPS FOR HAPPY SUMMERTIME SKIN

Summer is a wonderful time of year for your health. The warm weather encourages outdoor activities, and the vitamin D produced by sunlight can boost your mood. Unfortunately, sunshine can also do a number on your skin. Here are a few tips to protect your skin while having fun in the sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen! People of all complexions should wear sunscreen every day. Even if you aren’t at the beach, harsh sunlight can still damage your skin when you’re walking around or driving your car. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen with SPF 30 first thing in the morning and reapplying periodically through the day.

harmful UV rays. If your summer look just isn’t complete without a tan, consider using a sunless tanning product. The Mayo Clinic states, “Topical sunless tanning products are generally considered safe alternatives to sunbathing, as long as they're used as directed.” So read the directions and enjoy a great summer tan while keeping your skin safe. Take cool showers. Hot showers are relaxing, but they also dry out your skin, especially in the heat of summer. Do your skin a favor and turn down the temperature. As a bonus, taking a cool shower after sweating can reduce acne breakouts. Stay hydrated. Hydrated skin is happy skin, so keep a water bottle handy. Start by swapping a sugary beverage at mealtime with a glass of water instead. Another healthy way to get extra water is by snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables. Certain summer fruits, like melons, have high water content and are full of vitamins your body craves.

Pro Tip: Don’t put the sunscreen away when it gets cold. The sun is still harmful in the winter months.

Want a tan? Go sunless! Though popular, that “sun- kissed” look is actually a sign of skin damage caused by

There’s a lot to love about the summertime. With these tips, your skin can love it too.

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