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In Excellent Hands
WOO’S NEWS
THE BEGINNING OF OUR DENTAL PRACTICE
M y journey to my Maryland dental office
I know the associates I have surrounded myself with feel the same way. Years ago, I brought on my son, Dr. Edmond Woo to the practice, and about five years ago, Dr. Ho Kai Wang joined our dental team, forming Woo Wang Dental. Dr. Wang has devoted a lot of time to our office, and he shares the same commitment to providing stellar dental care as I do. And, as a dad, I could not be more proud of my son (or all my children, for that matter). Edmond has great character and the dedication needed to grow as a wonderful dentist. And it’s a really good feeling to know this business will stay a family business.
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began thousands of miles away — literally. I grew up more than 8,000 miles from Maryland in Hong Kong with parents who encouraged my siblings and me to consider careers in medicine. With their support, we each took our own path to various careers and dove into our own passions.
17 Firstfield Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20878 240.683.3833 3704 Perry Ave Kensington, MD20895 301.933.1833 2 Locations
When I was college-aged, I got an invitation from my brother to move from Hong Kong and join him in Washington D.C. to further my education. I gladly accepted and immigrated from China to attend George Washington University for my undergraduate schooling. With the encouragement from my parents playing in my head, I began considering my future career. My brother chose a physician path, and my sister would become a nurse. But I was drawn to the specific kind of assistance dentistry could offer. I enjoyed how it could help people correct an issue that may be causing them discomfort, pain, trouble eating, or even low confidence. In 1982, I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University and began building my practice. I had wanted to be an entrepreneur my whole life. Armed with new knowledge of dentistry and the fire to build something from scratch, I decided opening my own dental practice was the next logical step. I wanted to serve patients with the care I thought they deserved, and owning a practice and setting those standards myself would allow me to do that.
For more than 30 years, I’ve been able to help people with their cosmetic and general dentistry needs, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without my patients’ support. As I eventually phase out of this practice, I know I will value the friendship and trust I’ve established with patients over the years, and I can only hope you continue to earn the trust of those who continue to make Woo Wang Dental a place of excellent dental care for our patients and their families.
I never wanted to compromise the quality of care I could offer, because I knew dentistry had the power to change someone’s quality of life. Our goal is to find the source of your pain — be
“I NEVER WANTED TO COMPROMISE THE QUALITY OF CARE I COULD OFFER, BECAUSE I KNEW DENTISTRY HAD THE POWER TO CHANGE SOMEONE’S QUALITY OF LIFE.”
Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. But when I do retire, I’m confident you will all remain in great hands.
it physical or mental — and solve it. We want to help you eat without pain and feel confident enough to smile and laugh without shame.
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How the Art of Sleep Has Changed Over Time The History of Snoozing night — known as biphasic sleep — with a gap of wakefulness in between to eat, pray, talk, read, or write by candlelight. But by the 1920s, this practice of having two sleep sessions each night entirely receded from the social consciousness. Historians attribute this shift to innovations in artificial lighting and work schedules during the Industrial Revolution that required workers to stay up longer and sleep less. Cozy Blankets Most people find it difficult to sleep without some kind of covering, like a blanket, over their bodies. While researchers of the past entertained the idea that blankets offer some kind of primal protection for sleepers, they now believe the coverings help with temperature regulation, as maintaining a comfortable body temperature is necessary for good sleep. However, according to a recent study conducted in Sweden, weighted blankets help with much more than just temperature. Due to the added pressure, weighted blankets provide deep pressure touch (DPT), which increases the body’s amount of serotonin — a chemical that helps decrease blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Because of the effects of increased serotonin, weighted blankets are believed to help with anxiety and insomnia. While sleep patterns may change over time, the human need for sleep will not. As you crawl into your bed tonight, take some time to think about the way your ancestors approached their nightly snooze sessions. It’ll put you to sleep faster than counting sheep.
There are few things
in life that feel better than crawling into a comfy
bed after a long day. Sleep is an essential part of human health. After a mere 24 hours of
sleep deprivation, bodily functions and mental faculties start to go haywire, and 11 days seems to be the longest a person can live without sleep. While people acknowledge
that sleep has always been a necessary part of human existence, very few know how drastically nightly routines have changed over time. Here are three significantly different historical approaches to sleep.
Brain Floods For centuries, theorists associated sleep with blood loss and other health problems. But by the 1800s, notable physicians blamed sleep on a process known as congestion theory. In this theory, sleep was thought to be brought on by an overwhelming flow of blood to the brain, effectively flooding it and sending sleepers into a dreamlike state. Sleep Gaps While many modern sleep experts support the consecutive eight-hour sleep regimen, historically, people had completely different sleep schedules. Medieval society actually had two sleep sessions a
Get Motivated to Spring-Clean With These Three Books INSPIRATIONAL BOOKSHELF
As spring finally makes its way to the Northeast, the itch to spruce up your space may become stronger than ever. Tackling your spring- cleaning to-do list can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know where to start. Get motivated with one of the following books focused on organizing for your most successful spring-cleaning season yet!
concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), which is the Danish concept of happiness through comfort. Maybe you find hygge snuggled up on your couch or when you’re surrounded by some of your
‘Simple Matters’ by Erin Boyle
closest friends. Regardless of where you find your hygge, Wiking’s book introduces you to the ways you can capture it in your life.
In her debut book, “Simple Matters: Living With Less and Ending Up with More,” Erin Boyle details her family’s experiences with small, simple living. Targeted at those looking to “declutter, organize, and simplify,” Boyle highlights the ecological, personal, and health benefits of living with less stuff and doing more with what you’ve been given. Currently residing in a small New York City apartment with her spouse and two children, Boyle doesn’t just provide advice to her readers; she walks the walk, offering her experiences through her book and on her blog, ReadingMyTeaLeaves.com.
‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondō
How could we have a spring-cleaning book list without decluttering legend Marie Kondō? Her 2014 bestseller “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” has ushered in a wave of ultra-motivated spring-cleaners. A Japanese cleaning consultant, Kondō urges her readers to determine which items in their homes “spark joy,” and if a particular item doesn’t, it must be tossed or donated. Kondō boasts a perfect track record, with none of her personal clients lapsing back into their old ways. (If books aren’t your style, Kondō’s Netflix special has also been making waves.)
‘The Little Book of Hygge’ by Meik Wiking
If you’re looking for a little more satisfaction in life, look no further than the country most consider the happiest on Earth! “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” by Meik Wiking highlights the
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Your Miraculous Mouth
Q: When do you go to the dentist? A: Tooth- hurty.
S erving as your
main mode of nutrition and
communication, your mouth can also help you diagnose chemical imbalances, digestion
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR DENTAL HEALTH AND DIABETES
problems, allergies, and myriad chronic conditions. Diabetes is one of the most
prevalent conditions that can appear in your mouth, making regular dental care that much more important for those with a diabetes diagnosis.
According to the American Dental Association, 1 in 5 cases of total tooth loss is linked to diabetes. The
Tiramisu
reasoning behind this phenomenon stems all the way to the toothbrush nature has provided for humans. Patients with a diabetes diagnosis often have trouble creating enough saliva, which is produced by the body as a way of cleaning your mouth. This can lead to a dry mouth, plaque buildup, bad breath, and gum diseases, especially if patients avoid routine care and treatment. Additionally, patients with diabetes are predisposed to developing periodontal disease, which is classified as an infection of the structures that surround your teeth, including your gums and the bones that keep your teeth in place. In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that 22 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes also have periodontal disease. The link between diabetes and periodontal disease goes beyond a diagnosing connection, however. The two conditions can also feed off one another. Diabetes and periodontal disease both make it difficult for the body to regulate its blood sugar — or glucose — levels. Fortunately, diabetes and periodontal disease can both be preventable, because healthy habits that mitigate the effects of your diabetes can also work wonders for your mouth. Not using tobacco, having a healthy diet, improving your exercise routine, and seeing your dentist regularly are some of the best ways you can foster a healthier body and smile. Your mouth can be one of the most important components to your health, so monitoring it and practicing healthy habits will make you stronger. Learn more about how Woo Wang Dental can help you maintain a healthy smile by calling 301.993.1833 and 240.683.3833 or by visiting MyBestDentalCare.com. Unfortunately, when these levels are poor, there’s a greater chance of periodontal disease, and the severity increases as well. Essentially, if your body develops periodontal disease or diabetes, you could face a diagnosis of the other condition, as well.
Inspired by foodnetwork.com
This Italian favorite makes for the perfect date-night dessert. It’s easy to whip up and will make the evening feel extra special. Ingredients
• • • • • • •
6 egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar
1 pound mascarpone cheese 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
2 teaspoons dark rum 24 packaged ladyfingers
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve.
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17 Firstfield Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20878 mybestdentalcare.com 240.683.3833
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WHAT'S INSIDE?
From Kenneth Woo, DDS & Associates to Woo Wang Dental 1 The History of Snoozing Spring-Cleaning Motivation 2
Diabetes and Your Smile Tiramisu 3 Don’t Let the Rain Dampen Your Spirits 4
ENJOY YOURSELF! 4 Rainy Day Activities A s the weather warms up, the urge to get out of the house becomes stronger. However, any plans you might have can be abruptly canceled due to rain. If you find yourself stuck inside for the day, here are a few activities to keep you occupied. open, a rainy day is the perfect time to jump in. Settle down on the sofa with a cuddly blanket and enjoy some uninterrupted reading. The rain smattering against your windows creates the perfect background noise to delve into the pages of a new adventure.
Create Your Own Film Festival Having a movie or TV series marathon is another great way to pass the time. You can watch some of the classics, like “Forrest Gump” or “Singing in the Rain,” fill the day with “The Lord of the Rings” series, or start a new Netflix show. If you want to involve your kids in the binge- watching, you can let them pick out one of their favorite movies too. Piece Together a Puzzle A rainy day is a great opportunity to pull out a puzzle. You can also grab your friends or family members and make the puzzle a team activity. With the whole day ahead of you, you’ll have several hours to devote to one of your favorite hobbies.
Get Bakin’ A wet and chilly day is an excellent opportunity to warm yourself up with some baked goods. Bake your favorite snickerdoodle cookies or fudge brownies, and pour yourself a mug full of
hot chocolate or cider to get through the stormy day. (Check the recipe on page 3 for inspiration!)
Read a Book
If you have a bookshelf full of novels you’ve not cracked
Don’t let the rain keep you down! Instead, take advantage of the weather and enjoy a cozy day at home.
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