Take a look at our latest newsletter!
WrigleyvilleDental.com | 773-975-6666
What a year flew by! It seems like ever since COVID-19 started, time is going by faster — or I’m just getting older. (I hear from elders that time goes by faster as the years go by.) As 2022 started and ended with what seems like a blink of an eye, we had some positive changes as we gained more “normalcy” with each month that went by. We became unmasked and had more get-togethers with family and friends. But the impact that it left behind can still be felt with people being afraid of one another, hugs and kisses are less acceptable, even among family members, and children have more anxiety, depression, and social problems than ever before. Unfortunately, the dental industry has seen a very challenging year as well. A poll among dentists in the U.S. this year stated that 36% of dentists can’t find dental assistants to work and 27% are looking for administrative staff. With a short-staffed industry, it has caused a lot of offices to close and/or cancel appointments. On top of finding people to work, and with inflation rates growing, the price of materials and dental supplies have also skyrocketed due to supply chain disruption. For example, we used to buy a box of gloves for $2.50 before the pandemic, but during COVID, the price of our PPE (personal protective equipment) drastically rose and the price of gloves went up to $15/box. It thankfully has come down this year, but when we go through several boxes per working day, costs add up. General supply costs and staff wages have gone up by an average of about 20% this year as well. That’s a lot of economic change. But those are all things we can’t do much about. We like to focus on what we can change, and that’s the health of our patients, which is our top priority. So here are a few things that happened this year. As always, we like to invest in technology and materials. This year, we added a new 3-D CEREC scanning machine that can take scans instead of physical impressions of the mouth and be zipped over to the lab instead of being snail-mailed. This is our second scanner, which means we can do more procedures and do them faster. This increases patient comfort and turnaround time so patients can get orthodontic retainers, nightguards, sleep apnea appliances, crowns, partials, dentures, etc., much faster. Big Changes at Wrigleyville WE’VE ADDED STAFF, SKILLS, TECHNOLOGY
Along the technology front, we invested in a new laser, the Fotona, which is our coolest multi-tool. Dr. Kolencherry is using this laser for esthetic treatments along with PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). It’s the latest craze in 100% natural youthful looking skin. We are growing our esthetics department by partnering with CARE Esthetics (the lead doctor is the leading PRF researcher in the world). Amanda, our registered dental assistant and licensed esthetician, is trained in microneedling, and along with Dr. Kolencherry can do microneedling PRF facials to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, smoothen skin, help with acne, plump lips, help grow hair, and create radiant, glowing skin. The new PRF technology when paired with the laser is the most natural facial esthetic treatment that is offered in all of Chicago. And it’s done with quick appointments at our office with minimal downtime. Our amazing laser can also help with gum disease by killing all bad microbes and decreasing pocket depths. It can also help with sleep apnea by lifting the soft palate in a non-invasive procedure to help patients breathe and sleep better without an appliance and without surgery. Living in the 21st century with this state-of-the-art technology has never been better. We also brought on a pediatric orthodontist, Dr. Catherine Murphy, who along with Dr. Shivani Patel has been working with children from age 5. This work is especially important so that children sleep and breathe better and thus can perform better in school and in sports. Early intervention orthodontics supports the latest dental research as we learn that kids that have dental crowding and misalignment (that can be diagnosed by about the age of 2), will not only have crooked teeth, but can also have sleep issues, bed- wetting, behavior issues, ADHD, or growth issues, to name a few. Dr. Patel is now seeing older children and adult orthodontic patients to help make beautiful smiles and improve their quality of life. Although perfectly aligned teeth are a great result, we focus on the functionality and overall health of our patients. Another service we added this year was myofunctional therapy. Our hygienist, Kasie, is now a trained myofunctional therapist who can help patients with their tongue and lip posture to help with sleep apnea, orthodontics and breathing issues. Myofunctional therapy is like physical therapy for the mouth that can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, help with headaches and posture, and supplement orthodontic treatment for better, longer-lasting outcomes. It is now an integral part of our practice. We are blessed to have so many positive changes at our office and to have an all-star staff. We are looking forward to another great year in 2023. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
–Dr. Bernice Teplitsky
773-975-6666 | 1
NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
PHILIPPINES In the Philippines, people use
2023 has arrived, so it's time to plan for the year ahead and set some resolutions. On Dec. 31, as the clock struck midnight, you likely celebrated the New Year with fireworks, parties, noise makers, the ball drop, music, celebration hats, and confetti. But around the world, not everyone celebrates the same way. Check out some of these traditions others use to ring in the new year! COLOMBIA Who doesn’t love to travel? In Colombia, many carry an empty suitcase or two around the neighborhood, hoping to bless the coming year with many chances to travel. SPAIN In Spain, you may catch some natives eating exactly 12 grapes, one for each clock strike once midnight arrives. Each one represents good luck for each month in the new year. In larger cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, they gather to eat
grapes together in the main squares.
round shapes to represent coins that symbolize prosperity in the new year. Some even display round fruit, such as grapes, on their dining room table and, like people in Spain, will eat 12 at midnight.
BRAZIL, ECUADOR, VENEZUELA, AND BOLIVIA In these Central and South American countries, the new year is celebrated with lucky underwear! The most
DENMARK To get rid of evil spirits, the people of Denmark will throw old plates and glasses against their friends’ and families’ front doors. Then to “leap” into the new year with good luck, they stand on chairs and jump off! URUGUAY In Uruguay on New Year’s Eve, the people throw out calendar pages of the old year out the window and on Jan. 1, the streets are filled with individual calendar pages of days of the previous year.
common colors are red, intended to welcome love in the upcoming year, and yellow, which is said to bring about prosperity.
GREECE If you were to visit Greece on New Year’s Eve, you might see onions — thought to symbolize rebirth — hanging on the front doors of every home. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by gently tapping them on the head with the onions.
What New Year’s traditions do you have?
HERE COMES THE SUN
3 Benefits of Soaking Up Vitamin D in the Winter
IT BOOSTS YOUR MOOD. Sunlight triggers your brain to release a hormone known as serotonin, or the “feel good” hormone. When your serotonin levels get low, you are at a greater risk of experiencing depression or SAD. Soaking up the rays can literally lift your spirits.
The holidays are wrapped up, the decorations have come down, and we’ve welcomed the new year — yet winter temperatures and snow are here to stay for a few more months at least. While the colder months can be enjoyable for some, many can begin to feel the effects of the lack of sunlight and may even become depressed. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression brought on by the changing seasons, is most prevalent in the fall and winter when it is cold, dark, and dreary outdoors. During this time of year, it’s paramount that you get plenty of sun exposure and vitamin D for your physical and mental health — here are some of the many benefits this can bring. IT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. At one point or another, you’ve been told to bundle up or you’ll catch a cold. While this seems like an old wives’ tale, it does have some truth behind it. Chilly weather makes your body prone to catching a variety of sicknesses. To boost your immune system, getting vitamin D (from both the sun and vitamins) is essential. Did you know that the sun provides us with 90% of our vitamin D? Aim to get at least 10–15 minutes of sun to exposed skin each day. But it doesn’t count in areas where you have sunscreen on.
IT IMPROVES YOUR SLEEP. Lack of sunlight decreases melatonin production, the
hormone that tells your body it’s time for sleep. According to a Health US News report, getting just 15 minutes of sunlight in the morning helps your body recognize when it’s dark outside later in the day, which then tells your body to produce melatonin. This time of year, if you’re feeling the winter blues, the best thing you can do is get outdoors and soak up the sunlight. Just be sure to do so in safe amounts. And because we live in Chicago where the sun seems to hide, supplementing with Vitamin D is crucial for everyone. And the benefits of having optimal Vitamin D levels are enormous.
2 | WrigleyvilleDental.com
SUDOKU
According to the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide and affects 10% of Americans annually (and that percentage is pre-COVID statistics, which has surely gone up). And since the disorder doesn't pick favorites, anyone can suffer from its melancholy grasp. But there are things people can do to help. In fact, exercise has been known to help, but what if people are limited on time or motivation? New research by JAMA Psychiatry shows that completing just half of your recommended daily exercise (only 11 minutes!) can lower your risk of experiencing depression. So, when battling the blues, some exercise is always better than none. Here's how to squeeze that movement into your schedule. INCREASED WALKING TIME If you’re not exercising already, you don’t need to start running a 5K tomorrow. Take it slow before building on the activity that’s already in your routine. The easiest way to hit that exercise mark is by slowly increasing the time you spend walking each day. If you work from home and never leave the couch, consider taking a lap around your house once or twice a day. If you need to go grocery shopping, make yourself walk through every aisle or park your car farther away so you have a longer distance to walk. CAN HELP KEEP DEPRESSION AWAY 11 Minutes of Movement a Day
Place a number in every cell in the grid, using the numbers 1–9. You can only use each number once in each row, each column, and each of the 3x3 boxes.
Get those steps in however you feel comfortable, but the goal is to walk for at least 11 minutes a day.
INGREDIENTS
WORKOUT VIDEOS When you’re depressed or feeling down, following a peppy exercise influencer in a 35-minute YouTube video is probably the last thing you want to do. But remember, you only need to start with 11 minutes a day. Simply choose a video and plan to only complete a portion of it. Or start small and pick a 5 or 7 minute YouTube workout video. Once you’re done, reward yourself for getting that movement in! It can even be a high five in the mirror or hug yourself! THE BENEFITS OF DANCING Any movement counts, even dancing. And you don’t need to be good at it to participate, either. To meet your 11 minutes, simply put on a few of your favorite dance songs and bust a move! Even if it takes months to get there, moving your body a little each day will help. So, push that cart, click on that video, or pull out your best dance moves to fight depression. It’ll change your mood and you’ll be happier the rest of the day.
• 1 lemon • 1/2 cinnamon stick • 3 sprigs fresh thyme • 3 cm fresh ginger • 3 tsp honey • 3–4 cups boiling water • 1 orange and peel (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a teapot, combine juice from one lemon and half the lemon rind sliced. Then add cinnamon, roughly chopped thyme, grated ginger, and honey. 2. Pour boiling water into the mixture. Place lid on the teapot, and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. 3. Serve and enjoy. Note: For a more profound taste, add a tsp of freshly squeezed orange juice and some sliced orange peel.
773-975-6666 | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside You’ll Like the Changes at Wrigleyville pg. 1 3256 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Not Everyone Welcomes the New Year the Same
pg. 2
Benefits of Sunlight in the Winter
pg. 2
3 Easy Ways to Exercise
pg. 3
Lemon Ginger Cinnamon Tea
pg. 3
Tips for a Cozy Winter Picnic
pg. 4
This time of year, we all enjoy nestling up by a fire, cuddling under a blanket on the couch, or enjoying a warm cup of joe at the local coffee shop. If someone were to propose a winter picnic at the local park, you’d probably think they were crazy. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. With these four tips for hosting a winter picnic, you'll be up for having lunch outside in January any time. KEEP WARM Maintaining heat in winter is at the forefront of all concerns, and your winter picnic is no different. Be sure to pack hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, socks, and an extra set of clothing for unexpected changes in the weather. Believe it or not, a large beach umbrella or a tent is extremely helpful in protecting you from the winter elements. You can even plan some active picnic games to keep your body moving and the heat flowing! LIGHT A BONFIRE If the location of your picnic permits, light a fire to cozy up next to. Some beaches and campgrounds have designated firepit areas to start a fire while enjoying a warm winter meal. You can even cook your food over the fire! Remember to be careful when building a fire in the wilderness and take proper safety precautions. 4 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WINTER PICNIC It’s Cozy Season!
PACK HOT MEALS Picnics are all about ease and relaxation! Here are some toasty and hearty winter picnic meal ideas to help warm you up:
• Soup • Stew • Pot pie • Toasted sandwich or panini
• Warm brownies • Loaded baked potatoes • Quiche • Chili
KEEP IT SIMPLE Remember, it doesn’t need to be complicated! Even just a thermos of hot chocolate; some warm, freshly baked cookies; a bunch of blankets; a waterbottle filled with hot water to keep hands warm; and hats and gloves are plenty for a winter picnic. Add some extra nice scenery to do it in the woods, near the lake, or watching the sunrise or sunset. Ultimately, it’s all about soaking up the beauty of the most wonderful time of the year!
4 | WrigleyvilleDental.com
This newsletter is produced & printed by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator