Huron Smiles' online newsletter for October 2018
October 2018
HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be
530 Iowa Ave. SE #102, Huron, SD 57350
605-352-8753
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Why I Love Halloween Costumes, Candy, and Celebrations Fill My October
As a dentist, it might surprise some of my patients to know that Halloween is my favorite holiday. At one point, I gave out candy in the office, but this year we are hosting a pumpkin-decorating contest that I cannot wait to see. My love of this spooky holiday stems from my childhood. Growing up in Texas in the 1970s, I was a tomboy living in a neighborhood, while my best friend lived out in the country. Every Halloween she would come over, we’d get dressed up, and she and I would go trick-or-treating together. It’s a tradition I still love and reminisce about. (Fun fact: That same best friend is actually a dental hygienist now. Great minds think alike, I suppose.) My costumes were always my own creation, but every once in a while, my mom would try to see if there was any way I might convert to being more “girly.” She would buy me patent leather shoes, for example, and I’d always end up wearing my cowboy boots. On one particular Halloween, instead of wearing the beautiful Cinderella costume my mom had bought me, I put on a football T-shirt, a helmet, and some cowboy boots. Not sure if a cowboy/football-player mashup is a real costume, but there was no way I was going to wear that ITCHY dress. My family wasn’t surprised at all; they knew it was just like me to do something like that. Now it’s a funny story for us all. When I became a parent, my love for the holiday only grew, thanks to the people who lived nearby. As soon as we moved into our Texas community, the neighbors let us know about our street’s famous Halloween traditions. Traffic would be backed up trying to get into our neighborhood, and kids from all over would swarm. We had a reputation for being the best neighborhood to scrounge up treats, and we had to keep the tradition going. There’s something magical about watching your neighborhood light up with
parents and giddy kids from all across your community.
And, as if I needed another
reason to love the Halloween season, my eldest son’s birthday is in October. This
provided us with some great party themes over the years. We’d have the whole family
and a bunch of friends over and have music, a popcorn machine, a barbecue, and even a bounce house. To make it even sweeter, my father and father-in-law also both celebrate birthdays in October. Now that my kids are adults, they’re navigating Halloween on their own. My 25-year-old is getting excited about decorating and celebrating the holiday as a homeowner, while my youngest prepares to participate in one of Austin’s biggest celebrations. Since my husband and I moved in March, we’re not sure what to expect for Halloween this year. But if it’s anything like the wonderfully warm welcome we received upon coming here, we know we’re in for a great experience to add to our already-extensive memories of the holiday.
So, happy Halloween, and don’t forget to brush after enjoying your favorite treats!
–Dr. Valerie Drake
Huron Smiles • 605-352-8753 • 1
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BEST IN SHOW OR HALLOWEEN HAZARD?
For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-
injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first.
Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.
lanterns and other open flames are everywhere
on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made
from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes,
wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re
buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof . While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious
OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST
“Dr. Drake pulled a molar that had a root canal and crown. Tooth was cracked. She pulled it painlessly! I recommend Dr. Drake for all your dental procedures.” –Eunice M. “Came in to have my permanent cap put on. A couple days before my appointment, I chipped my front tooth. I asked about having that chip repaired. Dr. Valerie fit that repair into her schedule so I wouldn’t have to make another appointment. That meant a lot to me, as I live an hour away! Kudos to Dr. Valerie and her team! Very, very
“Dr. Drake is an awesome dentist. Gentle, kind, and caring about her patients. Always takes her time in giving you all your options, but most of all, treats you like family. Her cosmetic dentistry is excellent.” –Maribel S.
much appreciated!” –Christina B.
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using the plant fiber xylan. Xylitol is considered a healthier choice than fructose, especially high fructose corn syrup, which spikes blood sugar and insulin levels. This spike can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, risk of heart disease and cancer, and several other serious health- related issues.
Xylitol Starves the Bad Bacteria in Your Mouth THE SUGARY SUBSTANCE DENTISTS ACTUALLY RECOMMEND If you’ve ever seen the 1971 classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” then you are familiar with the fictional sugar-filled labyrinth from which some of the most scrumdiddlyumptious sweets are delivered to the world’s candy stores. To children, the chocolate river, Everlasting Gobstoppers, and Fizzy Lifting Drinks are the mouthwatering epitome of fun, but adults might look at all that sugar and run away screaming. According to the American Diabetes Association, added sugar may be the unhealthiest aspect of the modern diet. Fortunately, the natural sweetener xylitol provides a healthier alternative. What Is Xylitol? Xylitol is a white, crystallized sugar alcohol. It looks and tastes like sugar, but it has fewer calories and only has a negligible effect on blood sugar levels. You can find small amounts of it in many fruits and vegetables, which is why many define it as “natural.” You can also find xylitol in birch trees, but more often than not, scientists make it in a lab
Why Do Dentists Recommend It? Many dentists recommend using xylitol-sweetened chewing gum — no, not the kind that turned Violet into a giant blueberry. Studies indicate that xylitol can prevent tooth decay. One of the leading risk factors for tooth decay is a type of oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans. Having traces of this bacteria on your teeth is normal, but when there is an abundance, your immune system starts attacking it. These attacks often lead to inflammatory gum diseases that can cause gingivitis. To stay alive, these bacteria feed on sugar from the food you eat, but oddly, they can’t process xylitol. If you replace your sugar intake with xylitol, the bacteria will still eat it, but their energy pathways will become clogged and they will starve. It is not often that a dentist recommends that their patients chew on sweets, but consuming this sugar can do wonders for your teeth and gums.
Have a Laugh
COCONUT SMOOTHIE Paleo Pumpkin
This meal-in-a-glass smoothie will cure your craving for a pumpkin spice latte. It’s packed with nutrients and fall flavor. If you’re the type of person who uses your blender more than your pots and pans, you’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your rotation.
Ingredients • 1 cup coconut milk • 1/4 cup organic pumpkin purée
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or substitute with cinnamon and ginger) • 1 frozen banana, sliced • 1 cup ice
Directions 1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high or on smoothie setting until smooth. 3. Transfer to a cold glass, garnish with pumpkin pie spice, and serve.
Inspired by Delicious magazine
Huron Smiles • 605-352-8753 • 3
530 Iowa Ave. SE #102 Huron, SD 57350 605-352-8753
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be
Inside This Issue
The Best Things About Halloween Page 1 What Parents Need to Know About Halloween Costumes Page 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! Page 2 The Sugar You Should Be Eating Page 3 Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie Page 3 The Cat Who Steals Teeth Page 4
CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE? The Mystery of the Missing Teeth
As Canadian resident Phil Bailey was preparing to take a shower one morning, he took out his dentures and set them near the bathroom sink. But when he got out of the shower, the dentures were nowhere to be found! He and his wife searched for hours, but as the time for work grew nearer, Phil was forced to leave the house toothless. He spent the rest of the week that way. During one of his frustrated commutes to work, he started to suspect that either his son was pulling a prank on him or that his cat, named Herbert Spencer, had sneaked into the bathroom, stolen his dentures, and hidden them somewhere in the house. Later that weekend, Phil (still toothless) traveled to the Tournament of the Bands to watch his son’s high school marching band compete. Unable to hide from friends and family his embarrassment at having lost his dentures, he explained his suspicion about Herbert Spencer’s possible mischief. One of his son’s classmates retorted, “What’s the matter, Mr. Phil? The cat got your teeth?”
The following week, Phil finally found his dentures. His son was settling in on the couch to watch TV, and as he went to wrap himself in an afghan, he felt something hard hit his hand. Lo and behold, Herbert Spencer had buried the teeth in the blanket. In the years after the dentures incident, the rogue cat stole many other small but important household items from Phil. In fact, the villainy occurred so often that Phil threw out the afghan to rob the cat of his favorite hiding spot. Now Phil holds on tightly to his teeth, just waiting to see what Herbert Spencer decides to purloin next.
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