Signature Smiles April 2021

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HELLO WORLD

Signature Smiles Welcomes Some Little Ones This Year!

APRIL 2021

The Signature Smiles family is growing in a big way this year! A few of our team members are welcoming babies in the coming months, and we wanted to share the good news! Here’s what our team is saying about their future little ones.

Megan, Elyria Dental Assistant Due date: May 3

Megan was hoping for a boy — she already has two girls and one boy at home! But they are happily expecting a healthy girl! It was really good news either way! As for names, the little one’s name will be Stevie Nicole (like Stevie Nicks, because we are big Fleetwood Mac fans). Her favorite thing about the pregnancy? Watching the baby grow, although Megan admits it seems like it takes forever at times. Her least favorite thing about pregnancy? The back pain and having patience waiting for the due date!

Keylon and Lauren

Jackie, Elyria Patient Relations Coordinator Due date: June 13

Jackie was hoping for a girl, but if you had to guess what they’re really having what would you say? That’s right; they’re having a boy! While they haven’t landed on a name just yet, they have a couple of contenders: Gage Dylan or Axel Jordan. Continued on Page 3 ...

Megan, Logan, Alivia, Braylen, and Hazel

Jackie, Evan, and Carson

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ARE THEY REALLY SAFE? The Truth About Essential Oils If you’ve ever visited a spa or tried a “natural” perfume, then you’ve probably been exposed to essential oils. These fragrant oils are derived from plants and have become a fad among health nuts, yoga practitioners, and even chefs. Many devotees believe that a few drops of oil added to a diffuser, mixed with food, or rolled onto the wrist can do just about anything, like reduce anxiety and ward off the common cold. In 2019, the global essential oil market was valued at more than $7 billion, and sales are expected to soar above $14 billion by 2026. But there’s a catch: Some doctors now warn that essential oils are not a panacea — and they’re not as safe as they seem. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY? According to Rose Ann Gould Soloway, a clinical toxicologist at the National Capital Poison Center, essential oils can be safe and beneficial. However, they have harmful side effects when misused. Many oils can cause rashes and even poison users if they’re swallowed or rubbed directly onto the skin. In addition to this, incorrectly breathing in an essential oil can cause pneumonia.

might make: They either overuse essential oils with their children or they apply them the wrong way. When essential oils are concerned, proper application and amount can make a life-or-death difference. Nutmeg oil, for example, tastes delicious in food but can cause hallucinations and even comas when mishandled, and eucalyptus oil, which can soothe a cough, can also cause seizures if ingested. Another example is sage oil; it has beneficial applications, but even small amounts can make a child very ill. HOW CAN YOU USE OILS SAFELY? If you use essential oils or oil-based products, it’s vital that you follow the instructions that come with them and keep bottles of pure oil locked away from your kids and pets. When you’re using oils topically, dilute them with a barrier substance like a non-essential oil, lotion, or aloe jelly; and when you’re inhaling them, use a waterless or water-based diffuser. Finally, when in doubt, do your research! The American Botanical Council’s HerbalGram journal, AromaWeb.com, and databases like ScienceDirect and PubMed Central are great resources. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital also offers an expert safety guide for using oils on kids

HOW ARE ESSENTIAL OILS MISUSED? When it comes to essential oils, there are two big mistakes people

The Facts About Tooth Decay What It Is and What You Can Do About it

Tooth decay is the second-most common disease after the common cold. Cavities, also called dental caries, are damaged layers in the outer tooth layer: the enamel. Cavities form due to a mix of bacteria, frequent snacking, sipping on sugary or acidic drinks, and poor brushing habits. Decay is directly related to dental plaque. This sticky, colorless film that covers the teeth is made of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. As plaque builds up over a period of 24 hours, it begins to harden, forming tartar or calculus. The bacteria in plaque converts sugars found in foods into acids. If left unchecked, the acids erode enamel and cause damage. This erosion starts out as white spots on the teeth. The white spots appear as the enamel begins to break down causing demineralization. On X-rays, we call these “watch” areas.

Early erosion can be stopped or reversed with proper brushing, flossing, and fluoride use. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel, making it more resilient to plaque. If a white spot is allowed to progress, it becomes a cavity. It will then need to be cleaned and filled. Cavities can progress through the enamel to the second layer of the tooth, called dentin. This type of decay can lead to tooth sensitivity, specifically to hot and cold food and drink. Dentin decay may require a crown or cap over the tooth to repair. If the decay progresses even further to the innermost layer of the tooth, the pulp, the result can be significant pain. A root canal and crown are often required at this stage in order to remove decayed material and restore health to the tooth.

abscess can form. This is an infection deep within the tooth. Abscess symptoms can include fever, swelling, and radiating pain. This usually requires a root canal and in more extreme cases, a tooth extraction.

Here are a few simple ways to keep tooth decay at bay:

• Keep up with regular dental visits to detect decay in its earliest stage. • Brush and floss at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste (couple this with in-office fluoride varnish). • Limit sweets — sugar interferes with saliva as it works to keep the mouth clean. • Chew sugar-free gum made with xylitol — xylitol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some plants and activates salivary glands to help inhibit the growth of bad bacteria. — Corliss Robinson, RDH

Decay can get so bad that bacteria can enter the interior of the tooth. If this happens, an

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They’re having a girl and the baby is measuring big, so she may end up arriving ahead of schedule on June 20! As for the name, Mom and Dad settled on Olive Camille. They felt Olive is a strong name. Not only is it a food but it’s also a beautiful color, and it has ties to the Bible — after the flooding stopped, Noah sent out a single dove to look for land and the dove came back with an olive branch. Lauren’s favorite thing about the pregnancy? Feeling the little kicks! Keylon’s favorite thing is the anticipation leading up to the due date. Lauren’s least favorite thing about the pregnancy? The morning sickness during the first trimester. Keylon’s least favorite thing is knowing his time spent on video games is coming to an end.

Ciara, Elyria Expanded Function Dental Assistant Due date: August 11

Ciara, Brandon, and Delilah

Ciara was hoping for a girl at first, but now she’s hoping it’s a boy! As of this writing, they don’t know what they’re having, so you’ll have to tune in later to find out! If it is a boy, they have two names lined up: Lucas Avery or Lucas Colson. Her favorite thing about the pregnancy? Being able to give her daughter, Delilah, a sibling and making her boyfriend, Brandon, a dad to a blood-related child! Her least favorite thing about pregnancy? Gaining weight!

Her favorite thing about the pregnancy? The little baby kicks! Her least favorite thing about the pregnancy? The heartburn and being the size of a whale!

Keylon, Streetsboro Expanded Function Dental Assistant Due date: June 27

Well, Keylon’s wife, Lauren, specifically! They were hoping for a girl, but they said they’d be happy either way as long as the baby is healthy. Of course, they got their wish!

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Refer and Be Entered to Win!

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F and

grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken,

artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan.

How would you like to win a new gas grill to use for the summer months? What about a gardening set with all the necessities or an inflatable 2 person kayak? Here’s what you have to do: Any current patient who refers a new patient to our office between April and June will be entered into the raffle for the grill. There will also be monthly raffles in April and May leading up to the big quarterly raffle. Call us or visit our Facebook page to learn more!

3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.

4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked,

cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender.

5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

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9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779

Also Serving Elyria! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031

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Signature Smiles Welcomes Some Little Ones This Year!

1

The Truth About Essential Oils — Are They Safe?

2

Don’t Let Tooth Decay Get You Down

2

Refer and Be Entered To Win!

3

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

3

3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families

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With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities.

ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” STICK WITH MAGIC Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/nature-wands-outdoor-play .

ONE FOR THE BIRDS Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your

yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.” AN EGG-CELLENT PLANTER Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little

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