Aberdeen Smiles - July 2020

Aberdeen Smiles - July 2020

July 2020

605-277-9049 ABERDEENSMILES.COM

Summer in Aberdeen

The Right Place for Me

Fresh produce is the best part of summer. I love being able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms. Since there are over 31,500 farms in South Dakota that produce a variety of products, I would say I am in my happy place. Recently, I learned that South Dakota has nearly five beef cattle for every state resident. It’s hard to think of summer without the sight, smell, and sizzle of meat hitting the grill. Now is the perfect time to plan a backyard barbecue. I cannot wait to explore the local markets and feast my way through the summer in Aberdeen. One of the first things I learned when I moved to Aberdeen was how hardworking people are in this community. I come from a family of hard workers and believe this attribute has made me who I am today. My family owned a gas station in a small Texas town, very similar to Aberdeen. My first job was working in that gas station, and I did it for years, even while in dental school. I would rush to work still in my scrubs to help the family business. I continued to work weekends even after becoming a dentist. “Since there are over 31,500 farms in South Dakota that produce a variety of products, I would say I am in my happy place.”

Recently, one of my patients told me that he and his family were buying a gas station along with a fireworks stand in Corsica. Such a small world! I told his adorable kids that having a family-owned gas station would be a lot of hard work, but it would also teach them a lot of valuable lessons. I look forward to supporting his family business and can’t wait to compare experiences. Summer in Aberdeen has been full of surprises. The more I’m here and the more people I meet, the more I know Aberdeen is the place for me. All the patients I’ve met at work and the people I’ve met around town have been so welcoming. Aberdeen is a wonderful place to work and raise a family. There are so many beautiful places to explore. I’m excited to see what surprises come with the rest of summer.

–Dr. Christina Ky

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Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project DIYs From Across the Entertainment Sphere

Sleep Bruxism in Children Causes and Consequences When parents check on their children sleeping in the next room, they want to hear the sounds of easy sleep: slow, rhythmic breathing and the occasional sigh or two. However, sometimes they might hear a soft grinding noise. This is when a child clenches or grinds their teeth together, which is called bruxism. Diurnal Bruxing and Sleep Bruxism In children, two types of bruxism occur unconsciously. Diurnal bruxing is when a child grinds their teeth throughout the day, often without realizing they’re doing it. This is the easiest to fix because once brought to the child’s attention, measures can be taken to address it. Sleep bruxism (SB) also occurs unconsciously, but because the child is asleep, they cannot consciously stop doing it. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or brand-new to crafting, there are lots of ways to get your kids creating. For example, why buy merchandise from their favorite video game or TV show if they can make it themselves? Check out these resources for free crafting ideas to keep your kids connected to their favorite characters when they’re not looking at a screen. Disney-Themed Crafts From “Star Wars” to all things Mickey Mouse, entire fictional universes can come to life inside your home andmake your family time feel a little more magical. Family.Disney.comoffers projects for every difficulty level. Many require glue guns and adult supervision, but that’s what makes them fun and interactive for both you and your children. Who knows, youmight just find inspiration for other decorations in your home after a fewDisney-inspired crafting sessions. Nickelodeon-Themed Crafts Whether it’s “Blue’s Clues,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” or “SpongeBob SquarePants,” there’s no doubt that your little one is familiar with some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic children’s shows. NickelodeonParents.com offers DIY crafts that’ll encourage your kids to get busy and creative while decorating their play areas and beyond. The site also filters crafts by categories like Big Kids, Educational, and Noggin, so you even have options if you want your child to learn something while they play.

Geeky Crafts If your kids are huge gamers, GeekCrafts.com is a great website for finding DIYs that they can get invested in. Not everything is designed for small kids, but there’s a large archive to choose from, and it’s not difficult at all to recognize what crafts will be best for your family. FromMinecraft-themed building blocks to Pokemon felt hats, you’ll find lots of fun projects that’ll get your kids excited and asking, “What’s the next step?”

We hope these free resources help you and your family spend a little more creative time together! Have fun!

The Reason Behind Sleep Bruxism A recent American Dental Association study has shown that the prevalence of SB in children is often associated with emotional and behavioral problems. The study, published March 26, 2020, included a cross-sectional sample of 556 8-year-olds at 20 public schools in Brazil to try to pinpoint the cause of SB. Parents and caregivers observed their children for symptoms related to SB and also provided information about any emotional or behavioral problems the children might be having. The study found that SB was a common condition in over 30% of the children in the sample, and there was a higher prevalence of it in children with reported social, emotional, and behavioral problems. The Impact of Sleep Bruxism While SB is considered a normal sporadic condition for children, if it’s regular and intense, it can harm the child. Constant teeth grinding can result in moderately to severely damaged teeth, pain, and restless sleep. What’s more, if the condition isn’t caught early, it can cause severe facial and jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). If you notice your child is suffering from SB, it’s time to take action. Talk to your dentist to learn what you can do for your child to help them through this and to preserve their bright, healthy smile.

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A Meal for Every Member of the Family Meals on Wheels Goes the Extra Mile Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw howmuch Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.

Breakfast Sausage Kebabs

Ingredients

Directions

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7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed

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Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

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20 oz pineapple chunks, drained

2.

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10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms

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2 tbsp butter, melted

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Maple syrup, to taste

Equipment

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5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

Take a Break

Ruby Sparkler

Larkspur Peaches Picnic Popsicles

Caesar Fireworks Grilling Independence

Sunglasses Swimming

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1409 6th Ave SE #8 Aberdeen, SD 57401

Inside

This Issue

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Summer in Aberdeen

Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project Be Aware of This Common but Harmful Sleep Condition How Meals on Wheels Atlanta Stepped Up for Its Community Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs How to Keep an Eye on Your Oral Health

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Know Your Mouth How to Thoroughly Check Your Oral Health

Tongue Much like the gums, the tongue should always be pink. It should also be covered with small nodules called papillae. Discoloration of the tongue, like white spots, could be a sign of infection or a side effect of diabetes and asthma medications. A red tongue could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an indication that you have a fever. Sores and bumps on your tongue — or on your gums and the insides of your cheeks — may need to be treated with medication if they don’t go away on their own. Breath Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also be an indicator of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy breath should be naturally neutral, meaning there shouldn’t be much scent to it at all. Bacteria breed in the presence of food particles, and it’s these bacteria that cause stinky breath. Eating pungent foods may cause bad breath temporarily, but if it continues even after brushing or using mouthwash, this could be a sign of other issues. A thorough check of your or a family member’s oral health may require a few extra steps, but it’s well worth your time. No one knows your mouth better than you, but if you have an issue, then you should always tell your dentist about it, because no one knows oral hygiene better than them!

While you should never attempt any type of dental procedure or oral cleaning with professional tools at home, it is important to be aware of the overall health of your mouth. Whether you’re between visits to your dentist or haven’t scheduled an appointment in a while, look for the following signs to help you decide if it’s time for a trip to the dentist.

Teeth Strong teeth are the first sign of a healthy mouth. Determine whether or not yours are strong by checking for loose teeth, pain, sensitivity, or discoloration other than the yellowing that occurs with age. It doesn’t mean your teeth are unhealthy if they aren’t perfectly straight, but make sure their alignment isn’t causing issues with the way you bite, chew, or relax your jaw. Gums For the most part, healthy gums are always pink. They should be firm around each tooth and not tender, swollen, red, or white. Where the gums naturally sit on the tooth varies from person to person, but if you start to notice your gums receding more than normal, this could be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could mean you’re not doing either often enough or are being too rough, or it may indicate other health issues.

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