A+ Family Dentistry - January 2020

San Diego Location: 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1

Poway Location: 12915 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-5100

Sorrento Valley Location: 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., Suite #218

San Diego, CA 92105 Phone: 619-265-2467

San Diego, CA 92121 Phone: 858-421-4933

The Happy Tooth

LIVE YOUR DREAM

Inspire Yourself in 2020

“Dreams give us purpose. They inspire us to go further, work harder, and reach for the stars.”

“When you cease to dream, you cease to live.” –Malcolm Forbes

I think everyone should have a dream. Personally, I have a handful of dreams I’m working toward all the time. Dreams are the reasons we wake up in the morning. They’re the passions we’re fighting to realize! Right now, I have two big dreams.

I dream that one day my patients will all have perfect teeth.

Nothing would make me happier than to never have a patient come in with cavities, gum disease, or toothaches ever again. I want to teach my patients to take such good care of their teeth that they only need to come in for routine cleanings. This would be the end of a journey. My mission as a dentist is to teach people how to take care of their teeth. Healthy teeth wouldn’t put me out of a job; it would literally be a dream come true!

I dream that I can be a bodybuilder when I’m 90 years old.

My husband thinks my second dream is pretty crazy, but it’s my dream! I want to be in such great health that I could be a bodybuilder when I’m 90. I’m not saying I will be a bodybuilder, but I am working to be at that level of good health for the rest of my life. It’s not easy, but it’s worth the hard work. I’ve been going to the gym regularly and doing more cardio. Honestly, I hate doing cardio, but it’s to help realize my dream, so I aim to do a little more every day. I know my dreams sound outlandish, but that’s the point. When it comes to dreams, I believe in dreaming big — rainbow big! I know they sound a little ridiculous when I say them, but dreams should make you excited. Thinking of your dreams should feel like being a kid on Christmas morning. No one gets out of bed for a little dream. I wouldn’t be able to drag myself to the gym in the morning if my dream was just to lose 5 pounds. But to be a bodybuilder when I’m almost 100? That’s a reason to hit the gym every day. Another important thing to remember about dreams is that you can’t give up on them. A lot of people give up on their dreams because they don’t come true. They fail to realize that their dreams just haven’t come true yet. No

dream worth having comes easy. Colin Powell, former United States national security advisor, once said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” Work hard for your dreams, and don’t make the mistake of giving up on them too early. Dreams give us purpose. They inspire us to go further, work harder, and reach for the stars. Everyone should have a dream they’re excited about, if not two or three! As we start 2020, instead of New Year’s resolutions, why not write down your dreams instead? They can be as big as you can imagine, and they should make you excited about the future.

–Dr. Justene Doan

January 2020 Edition

A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P1

Help Your Kids Achieve More This Year

Practice what you preach. You are your children’s role model for almost everything, including following through on New Year’s resolutions. So, ask yourself if you follow through on your own resolutions. When you proclaim that you will read more books or finally get a gym membership, do you actually try to do it? Your kids will assign as much importance to New Year’s resolutions as you do, so by sticking to your own commitments, you can help them stay on track too. Keep things simple and achievable. When your kids are forming their resolutions, their first attempts will probably be very broad. Statements like “I want to be more kind” or “I will try to help more around the house” incorporate good values but don’t include any actionable steps. Help your kids think of tangible ways to act on those goals. For example, if they want to be tidier, a good resolution might be for them to clean their room once a week or take responsibility for one household chore every day. Don’t do all the work for them. While it’s important for you to help your kids formulate their goals, be sure that you aren’t taking over. If they’re ultimately responsible for their resolutions, they’ll feel more compelled to keep them. Instead, suggest different goal areas they could improve, such as home, school, or sports, and let them elaborate. When it comes to creating habits, nobody is perfect, so even if your kids falter on their goals in the middle of February, don’t worry. The important thing is that you continue to encourage them every step of the way. We want to thank all of our patients who put so much faith in us by recommending our services to their friends and family members. Last month, our referrals came from these amazing patients: A+ Referrals

With Simple, Actionable Goals

With every new year comes an opportunity to reinvent ourselves or start down a new path toward self-improvement. Making resolutions is a big part of many families’ New Year’s traditions, and parents often have a desire for their kids to take part in that tradition when they’re old enough. Following through on resolutions is tough, especially for young children, but with your help, they can achieve their goals. “I have been coming here for several years, and this is by far the best dentist I have ever gone to. I now have a routine of coming in regularly to keep my mouth healthy. They are gentle and patient. Everyone is awesome, from the front desk to the hygienists and the doctors. My favorite hygienist is Berenice; she has been deep cleaning my teeth and gums for a few years now. She keeps me informed and is genuinely concerned for my health. I highly recommend this place to anyone. They’re incredible!” -Yvonne Cerda TESTIMONIAL See What Others Are Saying

Fidel C. Arleona G. Magdalena H. Loise J. Edgar L. Deborah L. Rafael M.

Naw M. Christina M. Michelle P. Dolores P. Angelica P. Robert P. Marie L.

Kelly T. Gerald T. Ariel V. Karen W.

And the winner of November referral prize of a $50 Visa gift card: Edgar L. Thank you to all of our patients who continue to support us. Check back next month when we will announce the winner of our next referral prize.

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A Clicking, Popping Pain Stop Ignoring Your TMJ Problems

A sudden headache can bring your day to a screeching halt. The intense pain makes it nearly impossible to focus on work, run errands, or enjoy your favorite hobbies. You miss out a lot when all you want to do is lay in a dark room and wait for your headache to pass. Headaches can be brought on by a number of conditions, but last year, many Americans were shocked to learn their regular headaches were caused by their jaw! The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull and acts as a hinge for talking and eating. TMJ disorder (TMD) is a general term for when tension in the jaw muscles causes headaches, neck pain, and other unpleasant symptoms. Common symptoms of TMD are: • Headaches • Facial pain or tenderness around the jaw joint area • Difficulty opening the mouth very wide • Jaw “locking”

• Clicking, grating, or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth • Toothaches • Earaches • Difficulty chewing • Neck pain • Upper shoulder pain • Ringing in the ears You don’t have to live with this pain! Stop reaching for heating packs or painkillers to deal with TMD and get to the root of the problem! TMJ pain can be a symptom of dental trouble, like teeth grinding, trauma, or a misaligned bite. These are things your dentist can help with! They can check your teeth and jaw for irregularities. Depending on your unique situation, your dentist may recommend certain treatments. Night Guard If your TMD is the result of grinding or clenching your teeth, your dentist may create a custom-

designed mouthpiece for you to wear when sleeping. Nightguards are used to stop your teeth from grinding together and gently separate the upper and lower teeth to prevent clenching. Nightguards create less tension in your jaw joints, alleviating pain. Bite Adjustments When teeth are misaligned, it caused extra stress on the jaw to bite or chew. When misalignment results in TMJ pain, your dentist may recommend a treatment called occlusal equilibration. This is when your dentist reshapes the chewing surface in your mouth to improve your bite and bring your upper and lower teeth together in a more natural way. Don’t let TMD take another year of your life. Our offices are ready to handle TMJ problems quickly and effectively. Free yourself from headaches and jaw pain by calling 619-265-2467 and scheduling your evaluation today!

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How to Make Your Own Sauerkraut

Cabbage is in season right now, which means it’s the perfect time to try your hand at making sauerkraut. The fermented cabbage requires only two ingredients, keeps for months, and is packed with beneficial probiotics.

Ingredients

Equipment

• •

2 lbs cabbage

• • •

Jar

4 tsp fine sea salt

Lid with airlock

Something to weigh down cabbage, ideally made of a nonreactive material like glass

Directions

1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage. Slice very thinly. 2. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and salt. Let stand for 20 minutes. 3. Squeeze cabbage to release juices.

4. Transfer to a jar and press down

cabbage until completely submerged in its juices. Weigh down cabbage.

AQUARIUS CAPRICORN CELEBRATE FIREWORKS FREEZING

JANUARY MIDNIGHT NEW YEAR PARTY PIG

RESOLUTION SNOW TOAST WINTER

5. Seal jar with airlock. Let cabbage sit at room temperature and away from sunlight for one month. Once fermented, transfer to the fridge. Sauerkraut will keep for six months to one year.

Let the cabbage continue to soak and release juices for another 20 minutes.

Inspired by NourishedKitchen.com

A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P3

Office Hours: Mondays: Closed

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Inside This Issue Aplusfamilydentistry.com 619-265-2467 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1 San Diego, CA 92105

Can a Dream Be Too Big? Page 1

Helping Your Kids Make New Year’s Resolutions Page 2

See What Others Are Saying Page 2

Are Your Headaches Caused by TMD? Page 3

How to Make Your Own Sauerkraut Page 3

Local Events

Page 4

A World of Difference LOCAL EVENTS CELEBRATE HOW WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

In the United States, 22 million parents have been erased from the lives of their children due to divorce. Director Ginger Gentile’s emotional documentary examines this global epidemic. Gentile herself will be present at this screening, along with Michelle Stegall Jordan, the founder of the Erasing Family Ambassador program. Together, they will be leading discussions about the movie and how to find real solutions for disconnected families. Food and drink will be available at the screening. 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Where: Harbor Drive to Embarcadero, San Diego When: Sunday, Jan. 19; 2–5 p.m. Admission: Free Website: SanDiego.org/explore/events Don’t miss one of the largest celebrations honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States. The parade features floats, high school bands, and youth, college, and church organizations all dedicated to celebrating the memory of a great man and working together to realize his dream.

Birch Aquarium’s Turtleversary Where: Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla When: Jan. 11–21; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free with museum admission Website: Aquarium.ucsd.edu

In 2014, a loggerhead sea turtle was rescued from a power plant in New Jersey. When she was found, the turtle was underweight, her back flippers were paralyzed, and there was a large gap in her shell. She was brought to Birch Aquarium for a second chance at life. With help from UC San Diego’s Geisel Library, Birch Aquarium was able to create the world’s first 3D-printed brace for the turtle’s shell. Since then, the sea turtle has thrived and become an ambassador for ocean conservation. Come shell- ebrate this amazing turtle’s fifth anniversary at Birch Museum with a weekend of crafts, sea turtle science, and family-friendly activities. ‘Erasing Family’ Film Screening

Where: Mission Valley Library, San Diego When: Saturday, Jan. 18; 2:30–5:30 p.m. Admission: $20 Website: Bit.ly/ErasingFamilyScreening

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