Premier Dental August 2019

PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R

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EDITION 7

Why Is It in Our Drinking Water, and What Does It Do? THE STORY OF FLUORIDE In the early 1900s, dental researchers found that children in certain communities had teeth that were mottled brown but also highly resistant to dental decay. At that time, dental decay was a major cause of suffering for people of all ages, especially when the decay led to lingering infections. Scientists were eager to find a cause for this phenomenon, but there was no geographical significance shared by these communities, which included Colorado Springs, Colorado; Bauxite, Arkansas; and Oakley, Idaho. Research to find the cause began in 1901, but a breakthrough wouldn’t occur until 1931 when fluoride in the water was proven to cause this lack of dental decay. Scientists wanted to discover how high fluoride levels would need to be to prevent tooth decay and the undesirable mottled brown stain the children in these communities had. Soon, the level was determined to be 1 part per million (ppm). In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to add fluoride to its drinking water, and within that first year, the rate of tooth decay dropped by more than 60%. With this success rate, more communities adopted this practice, and today, 70% of all municipalities in the U.S. have fluoridated water. Fluoridation of drinking water has reached an estimated 144 million people in the U.S. and benefits both children and adults, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to care. It has resulted in a 40–70% reduction in tooth decay in children and a 40–60% reduction in tooth loss in adults. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed that the fluoridation of drinking water is one of the 10 best achievements in public health in the 20th century. Interestingly, the rate of decay began to increase again as bottled water gained more popularity in the 1980s, since most bottled water does not have fluoride.

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Still, some people have objected to having fluoride in public drinking water, indicating that it should be treated as medicine rather than a supplement. Some citizens are also concerned about the adverse effects of fluoride. For those of you concerned about exposure to excess fluoride, there are some options to help you avoid or diminish the amount you ingest. These include drinking bottled water, using a fluoride filter for tap water, and brushing with fluoride-free toothpaste. Frommy perspective, I know there is nothing as painful as a toothache, so I tend to think practically. I believe fluoride in small doses is very beneficial —most municipalities add fluoride to water at 0.50 to 0.75 ppm— and I often advise skeptics to consider what life was like pre-fluoridation of drinking water. Tooth decay caused major health problems for children and adults. There are far greater instances of tooth decay when a patient is not exposed to fluoride, and, to this day, tooth decay still causes major health problems. Being able to safely prevent it is a huge success for medical and dental science. But, as always, do your homework, and make sure you are not over-exposed. Talk to your physician or dentist if you have questions, and don’t be afraid to do your own digging. For example, I have discovered that my community does not have fluoride in its water. At Premier Dental, we will always support the decisions you believe are best for you and your family. —Hema Gopal, DMD

HYGIENISTS

CHARLENE LORI PRACTICE MANAGER PETER

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STORING YOUR SUMMER GEAR

Preparing for Next Year

For the past 10 years, Marvel movies have delighted families and comic book nerds alike with their memorable characters, incredible action scenes, and sprawling, interconnected storylines. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the story of the Avengers so far, told through 23 movies. Even though this year marked the end of a massive arc that Marvel Studios dubbed “The Infinity Saga,” there are still more movies coming out that will feature everyone’s favorite heroes. Here are a few films coming up next in the MCU. International assassin Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, was the first female member of the Avengers and made her debut appearance in “Iron Man 2.” She never got her own movie, but Marvel announced recently that a Black Widow movie is officially in the works for the next phase of Marvel movies. Besides the fact that they’ve started filming, there’s not much information about it yet. But for many excited fans, this movie has been a long time coming. WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARVEL MOVIES? 3 Marvel Movies to Watch out For A BLACKWIDOW SOLO MOVIE

Although winter seems like a distant prospect, it will be here before you know it. While many people are sad to see their summer clothes and gadgets get stored away until next season, it’s a good idea to start planning now. Taking the time to properly pack away summer gear is beneficial and can save you from unneeded worry next year.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO STORE SUMMER GEAR

Properly organizing and storing your summer clothes will help them last longer and prevent you from aimlessly rummaging when searching for that perfect fall sweater or blouse. Likewise, when you cover your patio furniture and tuck your bicycle and tools away, they are less likely to be damaged by animals or any harsh winter weather.

STORING SUMMER ATTIRE

Consider purchasing plastic storage tubs or boxes to put your clothes in. If you’re storing dresses, skirts, or any fancy clothing, plastic or nylon garment bags will help prevent them from getting dirty and wrinkly.

Before you start piling your clothes in, be sure to wash and completely dry them. This helps prevent mold or mildew and keeps your clothes looking new when it’s time to take them out again.

Also, it can be a good idea to place cedar sachets in with your clothes and around the neck of your hangers; the wood will keep away pesky insects without leaving bad smells behind.

‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3’

Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, and the gang are all back in the third installment of this smash-hit franchise. Without getting into too much detail, “Avengers: Endgame” and the post-credits scene of the second “Guardians”movie provided some clues about the plot and possible main villain. Though details are slim, “Vol. 3” is sure to be another rollicking ride through the cosmos.

STORING YOUR SUMMER GADGETS

‘BLACK PANTHER 2’

Outdoor items are more likely to get damaged as they endure the elements. When you’re storing rakes, shovels, or any other garden tools, make sure they’re

“Black Panther”was immensely popular (it earned nearly $700 billion domestically), and its success removed all doubt that there would be a sequel. Audiences will journey back to Wakanda and see the newest adventures of King T’Challa and crew, although not much is known about the plot or the release date as of now. But you can rest assured that the creative minds behind the sequel are taking their time to make it as good as the first. The future storyline of the MCU is up in the air, but, if the previous movies are any indicator, families, fans, and audiences everywhere have a lot to look forward to.

washed, dried, and sharpened before putting them into your shed or garage. Patios should be cleaned off and given a fresh coat of wax, and outdoor furniture should be dusted, cleaned, and covered to keep the frost,

snow, and rain off.

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AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS This Ain’t Motel 6!

When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb.

theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.

DOG BARK PARK INN B&B Cottonwood, Idaho

BRAND NEW STUDIO EARTHSHIP Taos, New Mexico

As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles?

Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.

When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!”

MANCAVE APARTMENT/AIRPLANE HANGAR Geneva, Florida

they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine- themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.

Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a

ROASTED CORN SALSA

TAKE A BREAK

Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine

Ingredients

2 medium ears of corn, shucked

1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced

1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced

1/2 red onion, diced

Juice of 1 lime

Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine. 5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.

Solution on Page 4

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609.298.1124 BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM 321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505

INSIDE

1

The History of the Fluoridation of Drinking Water

2

The Next Phase of Marvel Movies Preparing Your Gear for Winter

3

Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings Roasted Corn Salsa

4

The Art of Stargazing

THE ART OF STARGAZING

Helping Humans Slow Down and Look Up

1. The Higher, the Better If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum.

Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag

2. Extra Set of Eyes While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope. 3. Utilize Assets Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. Mark Your Calendar In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.”The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.

themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in all

its phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant

sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started.

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