September 2017
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WITH MATURITY COMES PRIDE September is a significant month in the United States. Not only does this month signal the beginning of fall, but it’s also the time when we recognize the anniversary of 9/11. Many people pay their respects to those we lost with moments of silence and by lowering the flag to half-mast, and networks tend to air documentaries and memorial montages during the week. WhyI’mHonored toSh reMyBirthdayWithPatriotDay My birthday happens to fall on September 11, which always elicits responses like “Oh, I’m so sorry!” or “How unfortunate!” from those who don’t know me very well. But here’s the thing: Yes, it’s unfortunate that my birthday happens to fall on the anniversary of 9/11, but that doesn’t make me feel bad about my birthday. In fact, I’ve learned to be proud of the fact that I get to share my birthday with such an important holiday for the United States. When the attack on the Twin Towers happened the morning of September 11, 2001, I was 17 years old. I was in high school in Georgia at the time, sitting in my construction class. The school announced very briefly what had happened over the intercom, and we were told not
to turn on the television. The construction class had a tiny television in the room, so naturally we turned it on to see what was happening. The rest of the day, our school was somber, and at some point, I forgot it was my birthday. I knew what was happening in New York that day, but at the same time, I didn’t quite understand. I don’t think anyone understood what was really going on for some time, but the whole incident felt surreal. I had visited New York City before,
"I had always felt so safe living in the United States, and I had never been in a position to feel threatened, but everything changed that morning."
and I had seen the Twin Towers in person, but the images on the TV just felt like a scene from out of a movie. I had always felt so safe living in the United States, and I had never been in a position to feel threatened, but everything changed that morning. After school, my parents took me out to dinner, but the terrorist attack set the mood for the rest of the evening. We ate at a sports bar with lots of TVs, and we watched as the images were replayed over and over and the news anchors tried to make sense out of what had happened. When people ask me when my birthday is, they always apologize when I answer. When I was younger, I used to be
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TheHistory ofLaborDay A CELEBRATION OF HARD WORK Americans work hard, and on the first Monday of every September we take a moment to acknowledge their efforts. Labor Day is one of America’s longest standing national holidays, and it celebrates how much workers have contributed to making the United States the most prosperous nation on the planet. The holiday has a fascinating history, and one that you might not expect.
The results of the study weren’t surprising. The group of patients who focused on preventative oral care saw their risk of 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 of the study, Professor Wendell Evans, concluded that, in many cases, tooth decay had the potential to be stopped and reversed, if not outright prevented. When early signs of tooth decay are spotted, it can be targeted. Extra effort can be placed on controlling the decay, ensuring it doesn’t progress to the point where a filling becomes necessary. All it takes is a deliberate approach to care, treatment, and lifestyle. 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. public demonstration by the Central Labor Union was a massive success. Labor Day didn’t become a federal holiday, though, until a few years later. In 1894, the American Railway Union went on strike against the Pullman Company in what is now known as the Pullman Strike. President Grover Cleveland called in the Army and U.S. Marshals in an attempt to break the strike, and several workers in Chicago lost their lives. In an effort to quell tensions and garner union vote support (politics has always been politics), President Cleveland signed Labor Day into law just six days after the strike ended. The holiday may be most famous now as marking the end of summer, but it’s importance is far greater than simply signaling that it’s time to cover your grill for the winter. Our country would not be what it is today without the immense effort of laborers. As you enjoy the last long weekend before fall, take a moment to acknowledge just what a difference these hardworking people make.
We are all familiar with the adage “prevention is the best medicine,” and dentists, doctors, and medical professionals in every field stress this with their patients. When it comes to oral health, and health in general, preventative care 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. When it comes to oral health, the results of preventative care are impressive. A seven-year study spearheaded by the University of Sydney in Australia confirmed the aforementioned truism. Originally published in December, 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” 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. The roots of Labor Day stretch back to the Industrial Revolution, when jobs became plentiful, but workers’ rights weren’t exactly at a premium. As conditions worsened and work days grew longer, unions sprang up as a way to protect the rights of the common laborer. Workers in Canada didn’t fare quite so well because unions were illegal. Eventually, enough was enough, and in 1872, workers marched directly to the door of Canadian Prime Minister John Macdonald, demanding the right to organize. He relented, and the march became a Canadian tradition. As for who brought the tradition to our country, there are two competing candidates, who just so happen to be named Maguire and McGuire. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and member of the American Federation of Labor, witnessed the celebrations in Canada and proposed a similar parade to New York City’s Central Labor Union in 1882. The very same year, machinist Matthew Maguire proposed a national Labor Day after a
NipIt in theBud
A RENEWED LOOK AT PREVENTATIVE ORAL CARE
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WHY THIS WAY OF THOUGHT ISN’T WHAT IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE Put ‘ PositiveThinking’ toBed
Can the power of positive thinking change your life? Bookstores brim with self-help books written to guide readers toward positive thinking and countless websites claim to do the same. But what is positive thinking? Essentially, it’s shutting out negative thoughts. One website, tinybuddha.com, says, “Negative thoughts drain you of energy and keep you from being in the present moment. The more you give in to your negative thoughts, the stronger they become.” This sentiment is ironic considering the Buddhist philosophy of detachment (or non-attachment) suggests that one should let negative thoughts and emotions enter the mind, but not dwell on them, so they pass with the moment. Research into the subject agrees. In the 1960s, researchers studied grief — or the lack of it. When people attempted to suppress grief, it took them longer to recover from what caused the grief in the first place.
In reality, the biggest factor at play when it comes to positive or negative thinking may be stress. Stress comes with its fair share of negative consequences. Stress can influence overall health, both mentally and physically. If you are stressed, chances are you are not in a good mood and, by extension, are thinking negative thoughts. And this presents another problem with positive thinking. Anne Harrington, Franklin L. Ford Professor of the History of Science and director of undergraduate studies at Harvard, and author of “The Cure Within: A History of Mind- Body Medicine,” says, “It's just as stressful to keep up a performance of positivity as it is to [keep up] a bad mood. It's very stressful to be inauthentically upbeat all the time.” So, what can you do? Let yourself think negative and positive thoughts. Don’t dwell on the negative, and let it run its course. Then, turn your attention to your sources of stress and do what you can to minimize them.
ONE-PAN Harvest Pasta
COVER CONTINUED
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 kidney beans), rinsed and drained
• 13/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth • 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
embarrassed to answer because I didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, but then I began to realize there was nothing to be sorry about. I can't change the day I was born, but I can spend my birthday honoring the victims, survivors and the incredibly brave people who rose up in service that day. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more appreciative of the freedoms I can exercise while living in this country. I enjoy watching the memorial documentaries that air around my birthday, and every year I grow more grateful for the small things I used to take for granted. Thank you to all the veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders who have made the sacrifices necessary for my freedom; I am honored to share my birthday with all of you. — Dr. Shel ly
Instructions 1. In a very large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. Cook, uncovered, 7–10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally. 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.
Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com
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1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com
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With Maturity Comes Pride page 1 A Celebration of Hard Work page 2 A Closer Look at Preventative Care page 2
Put Positive Thinking to Bed page 3 One-Pan Harvest Pasta page 3 Dealing With Stress page 4
DealingWithStress
LEARN HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS THAT PUT YOU IN CONTROL
You have more control over stress than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control. Identify Sources Chronic stress is hard to recognize. Look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it. Find Healthy Strategies Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol, procrastinating, and sleeping too much are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find unique, healthy coping strategies to deal with stress. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reactions by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt, or accept.
Avoid people or situations that stress you out. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and learn to forgive. Make Time for Relaxation Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for self-care, you will be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Give yourself options like going for a walk, calling a good friend, journaling, or reading a book. Live a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.
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