Advanced + Family Dentistry - May 2019

REPORT THE WELLNESS

May 2019

770-932-4240

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www.DaculaDentist.com

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Thank You! Named ‘Best Dentist’ by Best of Gwinnett and Best of Hall This spring, my team and I found out we had the unique privilege of being honored in the “Best Dentist” category for both Best of Gwinnett and Best of Hall County! This feat could not have been accomplished without all of our patients, friends, and community members who nominated and voted for our practice. Every day, because of you, we are able to serve the community in a way that allows us to follow our passions, and this honor means so much to us. When I began my practice here in 2011, I knew I wanted to create a space where patients felt comfortable to seek dental care and transform their lives through rebuilding smiles, teeth function, and confidence. I know many of our patients have carried the burden or embarrassment of their teeth for too long, and when they do walk through our doors, they do so with broken confidence because stained, misaligned, or missing teeth are causing anxiety and a lowered quality of life. I knew we could be different; we

lectures they may experience. In fact, in a study of 18,000 people, 60 percent had dental fear or anxiety. Today, with our knowledge and expertise of sedation dentistry and our dedication to creating a smile you can be proud of, as well as judgment- free atmosphere, we are also empowering lifelong dental care. There are so many options available in dentistry today that can help numerous patients with various complications. But this commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming space for all kinds of dental patients could not be honored without my fantastic team. I am extremely grateful for our team of administrative professionals, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and treatment coordinators. I can honestly say that our team members work tirelessly every day to create a unique practice culture that treats and cares for patients the same way we would treat our own family members. So, without further ado, a big thank-you to all our patients and a big congratulations to the team — you’re the reason we are the “best”!

had to be different in order to truly serve.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that most patients avoid seeking dental care because they fear the procedures, judgment, or

–Dr. Parth Patel

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GROWING FRESH AIR A LOOK AT THE HEALTHIEST BUILDING IN NEW DELHI

I magine you are told you must leave the city you work and live in because it’s killing you. Hard to fathom, isn’t it? But this actually happened to Kamal Meattle, a researcher, activist, and New Delhi native, who was told by doctors that the city’s air quality was a threat to his health. His lung capacity had gone down 70 percent, and doctors suggested he leave New Delhi. Instead, Meattle chose to stay and find an innovative solution to his health problems and the city’s air quality crisis. New Delhi is no stranger to poor air quality. Sometimes pollution gets so bad it warrants a city-wide warning for kids to stay inside. Meattle, who studied engineering at MIT, turned to research by NASA and other organizations to address the issue. During his research, Meattle found that there are three common house plants that excel at removing dangerous chemical compounds, like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, from the air: the areca palm, the snake plant (or mother-in-law’s tongue), and the money plant. Using these plants, Meattle created an indoor plant-based air filtering system that allows his building,

the Paharpur Business Center (PBC), to cultivate all the fresh air it needs. Air entering the building is cleaned by a scrubber, then is filtered through the building’s extensive greenhouse to remove chemicals and bacteria. The greenhouse, and the rest of the building, is filled with areca palms, snake plants, and money plants. Today, the PBC is the healthiest building in New Delhi. Twenty years after Meattle rolled out his plant-based filter system, the results speak for themselves. Employee productivity has gone up 20 percent. Respiratory problems have gone down by 34 percent, headaches by 24 percent, and lung impairment by 12 percent, among other health benefits. Just stepping into Paharpur boosts your health: Blood oxygen levels go up by 1 percent after 10 hours in the PBC. Meattle has remained in New Delhi and is set on helping other Indian businesses replicate his plant-based system so they can grow their own fresh air. As he says of his decision to stay, “Either you are overwhelmed by the fact that there are so many problems and so many people, or you find solutions to help in any way you can.”

WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING

“I’d highly recommend Dr Patel and his staff. The front desk lady is very kind and welcoming, and my hygienist was so helpful. She took pictures of my teeth, and I was able to see the areas she was concerned with before the doctor even came in, which helped me not feel blindsided in the appointment when I was told I needed a filling. Great experience!” –LORI W.

“Dr. Patel was very professional and knowledgeable. He spent time with me and explained everything to me. His receptionist and X-ray technician were very informative and caring. I was seen very quickly after paperwork was completed. The technician explained each X-ray and placement as she made sure I was comfortable. I am extremely pleased with this dental office after being with the same dentist for over 30 years. Thank you for a pleasant experience.” –ELIZABETH C.

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Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and oral cancer is no different. In fact, many well-known people throughout history, including U.S. presidents Grover Cleveland and Ulysses S. Grant, Sigmund Freud, Babe Ruth, Lana Turner, and Rod Stewart, have suffered from oral cancer. Overall, 53,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, according to research by the Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral Cancer 101

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PREVENTION AND TESTING

PREVENTION Your habits play a critical role in preventing cancer. Tobacco and alcohol use increase your chances of developing oral cancer, but your diet and exposure to the sun can also put you at risk. According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, 1 in 4 people diagnosed with oral cancer are not tobacco users and only drink occasionally. Abstaining from excessive alcohol and tobacco usage is a great way to lower your risk, but also keeping your sun exposure and diet in check gives you the best chance of preventing oral cancer altogether. SCREENINGS The best way to monitor your oral cancer risk is by attending regular dental appointments, where screenings are the norm. Dental experts are trained to screen for oral cancer, and they will often feel around the neck and throat for concerning signs. Some experts also use a VELscope exam, which uses fluorescent lighting to highlight any abnormalities in the mouth. Many of these tests are noninvasive and can be performed quickly at a dental clinic. If dental experts find evidence of oral cancer during an exam, they can refer patients to clinics for further testing.

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to learn about the prevention efforts and tests for this debilitating disease. Prepare yourself by checking out the points below.

DETAILS Oral cancer can appear as an abnormality on your lips, tongue, cheeks,

mouth, sinuses, or throat. This life-threatening disease can create swelling, bruises, lesions, speckled patches, and face sores. These symptoms

can additionally lead to difficulty speaking, swallowing, and ear pain. While cancer can affect anyone, there are some demographics that have a higher chance of getting an oral cancer diagnosis. Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as women, with men over 50 being the most vulnerable.

You can learn more about oral cancer, prevention, treatments, and screenings online at OralCancerFoundation.org.

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

SUDOKU

STRAWBERRY MANGO PALETAS

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a

6. In the blender, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 7. Into eight 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 8. Using a small knife, gently swirl mango and strawberry layers together. 9. Insert wooden ice pop sticks and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours and preferably overnight. 10. Dip molds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.

simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and stir in 1

tablespoon of the lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. 4. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 5. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and clean the blender.

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2700 Braselton Highway STE12 Dacula, GA 30019 DaculaDentist.com 770-932-4240

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Thanks for the Honor! PAGE 1 A Look at the Healthiest Building in New Delhi What Our Patients Are Saying PAGE 2 Oral Cancer 101 Strawberry Mango Paletas PAGE 3 How to Travel Sustainably PAGE 4

Get Out There With These Eco-Tourism Tips GO GREEN

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. Travel Green When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less. If anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation! Stay Green Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because

guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco-tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature, look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world. Do Green Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with.

Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

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