Aberdeen Smiles APRIL 2018

Aberdeen Smiles APRIL 2018

April 2018

Aleaha Fettig, DDS Valerie Drake, DDS

1409 6th Ave. SE #8, Aberdeen, SD 57401 |

www.AberdeenSmiles.com

605-225-2236

|

What’s That Racket? Around the World on the Tennis Court

When I was a freshman in high school, my friend and I got to take a trip to New York City. We were two small- town girls, so we were ecstatic to explore the Big Apple. We would be sharing a room with two other girls, and before we arrived, we said, “It’ll be fine as long as we don’t get stuck with someone from New Jersey.” Of course, that’s exactly where our roommates ended up being from. The funny thing is that these girls said almost the same about us, praying they weren’t trapped with people from Texas. Apparently, I managed to confirm every single stereotype they had about Texans. I wore cowboy boots, rode horses, had cows, and my family drove a pickup truck. But you know what? We all had a great time! Our new friends from New Jersey showed us how to ride the subway and get around the city, so the trip turned out to be a blast. You’re probably wondering what a 14-year-old was doing running around New York City without her parents. Believe it or not, I was there for a tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, because my friend and I were ranked No. 2 in our age group for doubles in Texas. I started playing tennis when I was about 5 years old after finding my big sister’s tennis racket in the back of the closet. I spent hours bouncing a tennis ball off our garage door, and my parents eventually decided to sign me up for lessons. coach from Peru, and he coached a number of great players. Among his protégés was an awesome player named Bettina Bunge, who was just 15 when I started playing tennis. Taino fell in love with a woman from my small town, which is how I was lucky enough to have such an amazing coach. He helped me truly embrace tennis, and the sport literally took me all around the world! I have always loved playing tennis, and I was really lucky to be coached by Bruno Taino. This guy was a big tennis

Valerie serves in a recent tournament.

Coach Bruno Taino and I in Puerto Vallarta.

I played in Peru for about four months, which is where I

learned Spanish. Then I spent a few semesters playing on the clay courts of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I even spent time playing

Valerie sits with the other top-10 players at the Clay Court Nationals.

in Italy. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all international travel. Playing tennis is hard work, and I needed to learn how to balance practice and school. But traveling alone so much helps you mature pretty fast, and I gained a real appreciation for the world. I met so many interesting people — both on and off the court. One time, Bettina Bunge stayed the night at my house, and Linda Carter once called on the phone to talk to us. I got to talk to Wonder Woman herself! It’s been a while since I played competitively, but I still love spending time on the court, and I have a lot of friends who play tennis. Now that spring has returned and the snow is melting, it’s safe to say you can find me spending my free time with a racket in my hand.

–Dr. Valerie Drake

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DO YOU NEED A MEDIA DETOX? The Dangers of Overstimulation

With the current trend of getting TV, social media, and news alerts sent to our phones, we have access to more media than we could ever consume. While constant connectivity is a boon for many aspects of our lives, researchers are discovering that too much stimulation is cause for concern. One study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that too much social comparison, spurred by the likes of Facebook and cable news, can lead to an increased risk of depression.

“In the same way we think about what we eat, we should think about what we

read, what we’re seeing, what we’re engaging in, and what we’re interacting with every day,” Emma Watson told CNN in an interview about her selective social media use. If you’re not mindful of your media consumption and participation, it tends to pile up. When you detox, it’s a lot easier to identify which parts of your media diet are essential and which are only a burden. Another benefit of a media detox is that you’ll have more time to pursue new and dormant hobbies. Because most of us consume media in small chunks throughout the day, it’s easy to overlook how much that time adds up. All those hours you spend on Facebook could be used to start a garden, knit a quilt, or join a soccer league. Unless you have an unlimited supply of leisure time (and who does?), you need to be selective in the way you spend it. Remember, media isn’t the cause of all your ills. Used mindfully, it can actually increase happiness and satisfaction. The problem is that we are so mired in the media muck that we can’t get a perspective on how much is too much. A detox will allow you to reassess the media you’re consuming and build a better plan for the future. You can still keep up with your grandkids on Facebook, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with the world.

If you find yourself pressured to live up to the public lives of friends and family, or if you feel like you’re being bombarded

with too much news and entertainment, consider a media detox. A detox

doesn’t require you to unsubscribe from social media services or unplug your TV forever. Instead, think of it as a vacation from the overstimulation so many of us experience. Ask yourself which aspects

of your media diet are causing more stress than they’re worth, and take a break from them for a little while.

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

“Best experience this year! Staff is friendly and very good at their jobs. Dr. Fettig is thorough with her exams. All the other staff members were busy with what seemed to –Eric S. “I continue to get the care and service that I’m used to from the new owners and their staff. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a dentist.” –Terry R. “Very friendly staff. The accommodations are excellent and make me feel more relaxed and comfortable, because I don’t enjoy dental visits. Just a great atmosphere all around.” –Bobbie O.

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CLEANING It’s important to keep your infant’s mouth clean. Bacteria can grow in their mouth and around their gums, creating infections even before baby teeth set in. Clean your infant’s mouth at least twice a day or after each meal. Wash your hands, then wrap clean, damp gauze around your finger, and gently wipe your baby’s gums. APPOINTMENTS Scheduling a dental appointment is a sure way to prevent problems. You should see a dentist regularly to make sure your teeth are healthy before and after

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BABY’S ORAL HEALTH

Believe it or not, your infant’s oral hygiene is important — even before they have teeth! Bacteria can build up inside your child’s mouth, causing harm to their gums and, eventually, their teeth. Though children’s teeth are temporary, they’re still vulnerable to infection and decay when not taken care of properly. Listed below are a few simple ways to secure your infant’s oral health. YOUR DENTAL HEALTH One important way to maintain your child’s dental health is to maintain your own. Not only does this lead to good habits for the both of you, it can prevent bacteria from spreading. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bacteria called streptococcus mutans can spread from mothers to their infants, which can lead to dental decay.

your child is born. When your child turns 1 year old, or their first tooth appears, take your infant in for their first dental appointment. By taking care of your dental health, you can take care of your infant’s. Create good habits, schedule checkups, and clean regularly. Teeth

or no teeth, oral health is important, and keeping up with it will benefit you and your child in the long run.

Have a Laugh

Pasta With

TURKEY AND BROCCOLI

Ingredients • 3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese

Directions 1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan.

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1409 6th Ave. SE #8 Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-225-2236 www.AberdeenSmiles.com

Aleaha Fettig, DDS Valerie Drake, DDS

Inside This Issue

Adventures in Life Page 1 Why You Should Consider a Media Detox Page 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! Page 2 Infant Dental Health Page 3 Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli Page 3 3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting

Memories Page 4

Family Time in the GREAT OUTDOORS

Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and develop meaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever. CAMPING Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. HIKING A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or

grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came. FISHING

Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three-headed monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.

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