Check out our March newsletter!
MARCH 2025 WWW.GREATSMILESNJ.COM | 908-561-0225 The Link Between Rest and Cancer Prevention HOW SLEEP HEALTH IMPACTS YOUR RISK OF CANCER
Detection: How to Spot Trouble Early Early detection is key to improving survival rates for oral cancer. Be on the lookout for:
Did you know the quality of your sleep could influence your risk of developing cancer? It’s not the first connection that comes to mind, but during March’s Sleep Awareness Week and April’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to explore how these two critical health topics intertwine. From compromised cellular repair to increased cancer risks, the stakes are high — but so are the opportunities to take action and protect yourself. Sleep Is More Than Rest: It’s a Built-In Repair System Most people think of sleep as just rest, but it is so much more than that. Sleep is when your body goes into repair mode, addressing everything from muscle microtears to cellular damage. What many do not realize is that this repair process includes targeting and eliminating cancer cells. Yes, cancer cells — uncontrolled growths — are a part of our bodies all the time, but a well-rested immune system is equipped to handle them. When you do not get enough sleep or if sleep is disrupted by conditions like sleep apnea, this repair process is interrupted. Over time, poor sleep increases your vulnerability to all forms of cancer, including oral cancer. So, the next time you are tempted to skimp on sleep or brush off persistent snoring, remember that you could be putting your long- term health at risk. Oral Cancer: It’s More Common Than You Think Oral cancer often flies under the radar, but the statistics are sobering. In 2024 alone, nearly 58,450 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S., with far too many lives lost to this disease. Risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use are well- known, but did you know that HPV infection is now a leading cause of oral cancer? This has shifted the demographic of oral cancer patients from older, long-time smokers to younger adults ages 18–35. With only a 40% survival rate after five years from initial diagnosis, prevention, early detection, and treatment is the key. Prevention: Even if you do not smoke or drink, disrupted sleep can amplify your risk, making it essential for everyone to stay vigilant. Think of prevention as a two-fold strategy: making lifestyle changes to improve sleep quality and getting regular oral cancer screenings.
• Mouth sores that will not heal • Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
• Bleeding in the mouth without a clear cause • Unexplained ear pain or difficulty swallowing
These symptoms might seem minor initially, but they could indicate something more serious. Advanced Screening for Peace of Mind At our office, we go beyond the basics. Every patient 18 and older gets an annual oral cancer screening, but for those with higher risk factors, we offer VELscope technology. This innovative tool uses natural tissue fluorescence to detect abnormalities invisible to the naked eye. It’s a small step that provides significant reassurance, especially for those with elevated risks like disrupted sleep or tobacco use. Take Action This Spring This March and April, we are making it easier than ever to prioritize your health with special promotions on oral cancer screenings. If you have risk factors such as sleep issues, HPV, or tobacco use — or if you just want the peace of mind that comes with early detection — schedule your screening today. You deserve to feel confident in your health, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. That’s why we are offering a special promotion for oral cancer screenings in March and April. Scan the QR code to book your screening, or visit our website for more information. Let’s make Sleep Awareness
Week and Oral Cancer Awareness Month your opportunity to take charge of your well-being. Because when it comes to your health, every small step counts.
To your great smiles and better health,
SCAN NOW!
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THE ROAD TO REMOTE RECOVERY Robotics Revitalize Physical Therapy
Whether by necessity or convenience, the past few years have seen the rise of remote work and virtual interactions. With the touch of a computer key, people can now connect with colleagues and loved ones from anywhere in the world. Remote technologies also have the potential to revolutionize the field of physical therapy, offering individuals with limited mobility more options than ever to receive treatment without leaving their homes. Thanks to an ambitious professor in the Midwest, robotics designed to provide stroke patients and other individuals with disabilities with a thorough workout may soon be widely used — all from the comfort of their computer desks. Mobility From Milwaukee The latest evolution in robotic rehabilitation technology, the iTbot, is a portable robotic arm used in tandem with virtual reality to assess and treat physical therapy patients who cannot attend in-person sessions. It is the brainchild of Habib Rahman, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, who is currently testing it for public use. Similar to online games that allow players worldwide to interact with one another, the iTbot connects therapists and patients for remote sessions that track movement and collect data in real time. Using tablets or home computers, patients engage in various activities — such as moving the iTbot to touch “balls” that spread further apart on the screen — which test their mobility and generate information that appears on the therapist’s screen. Therapists can calibrate or adjust the iTbot’s arm remotely based on the patient’s needs and abilities as the session progresses.
the physical robotic arm as the patient uses it appears on the therapist’s screen,” Rahman explained in a university press release. “All that data the robotic arm collects in the real environment you can see on the digital twin.” Just as the iTbot may soon provide patients with a mobile means of treatment, it also has the potential to benefit therapists by reducing the burdens they experience when delivering continuous in-person care. “This kind of technological innovation is needed,” added Inga Wang, the university’s professor of occupational therapy, science and technology, in the release. “One- third of physical and occupational therapists themselves experience musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical demands of conventional therapy.”
Healing Through History While the iTbot represents the future of robotic
rehabilitation, the quest to incorporate machinery into physical therapy has spanned more than a century. In 1910, a patent was filed for an electric, motor-driven “movement cure apparatus” to help heart disease patients improve their walking abilities. Despite this early advancement, it would take another 70-plus years before the first robotic rehabilitation became commercially available. Called the MIT-Manus, it was developed to assist with limb movement, cognitive function, and motor relearning.
The creation of the iTbot has launched an exciting new era in robotics research. It offers hope to individuals whose physical ailments prevent them from
traveling to receive the therapy they need. Soon, all someone yearning to improve their quality of life will need is an internet connection and the will to succeed.
“We are essentially creating a digital twin of the patient’s evaluation — a virtual model of
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A Beginner’s Guide to Counting Macros Counting macronutrients (macros) is not just a fad diet — it’s a lifestyle change. Though the diet has grown in popularity, it’s one of the most effective and safest ways to support weight loss, gain muscle, and improve diet quality. Some people track their macros through various apps, and others prefer to keep a diet journal. Regardless of how you choose to track, everyone’s needs will vary based on factors such as activity level, age, weight, and medical condition. If you’re unsure what macronutrients are, this short guide will help. What are macronutrients? Our foods contain three main macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each plays a unique role in our bodies’ overall functioning. Macronutrients are needed in large quantities to sustain our activity levels, while their counterparts, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), are necessary in smaller amounts. • Carbohydrates: Starches, fiber, and sugar are the primary fuel sources for your brain, muscles, and nervous system. Simple carbohydrates break down quickly into sugar energy, while complex carbs can help us feel fuller longer. • Proteins: Protein is vital to forming muscles, hair, skin, nails, bones, and enzymes. It’s primarily made of amino acids; however, we must get nine amino acids through food because our bodies don’t produce them independently. • Fats: Natural fats can be categorized as saturated or unsaturated. They are essential to hormone production, temperature regulation, cell function, organ protection, and vitamin absorption. Avoid trans fats in processed foods because they are linked to certain heart problems and cancers. Tracking What You Eat
Count macros mindfully. Your estimated calorie needs are based on age, weight, muscle mass, and activity level. The easiest way to calculate your calorie needs is to use the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation. The recommended breakdown of your macronutrients is as follows: Ingest 45%– 65% of calories from carbs, 10%–35% from protein, and 20%–35% from healthy fats. Before starting any diet, consult your physician or other health care professional about any changes you want. Also, because these numbers are general guidelines, it’s best to speak with a registered dietitian to determine your macronutrient needs within those ranges.
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS • 1 (4 lb) corned beef brisket with spice packet • 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces • 1 tsp salt
• 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve. DIRECTIONS
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10 Shawnee Drive Watchung, NJ 07069
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
The Silent Risks of Sleep Disorders and Oral Cancer
2.
A Physical Rehab Revolution
3.
Achieving Health Goals With a Macro Focus
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
4.
How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
NO GYM REQUIRED! By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition.
Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you.
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