Advanced + Family Dentistry - October 2018

THE WELLNESS

REPORT

October 2018

770-932-4240

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Daculadentist.com

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JUST A FEW ADDED FACES

I n my ten years of practice, I have certainly seen the benefits of new and “cutting-edge” materials, methods, medicines, and technologies as they significantly improved patient care. I must admit I am extremely excited about all the advancements in dentistry and love new gadgets and gizmos. I have also learned one of the most important determinants of health is not always new technology or new pills. Instead, continuity of care continues to be one of the most important aspects in all of health care. This past spring, I began having conversations with Dr. Hatcher about this very topic. After 35 years, Dr. Hatcher and Debbie will begin planning a transition out of clinical care of patients. Having had the privilege of treating so many patients for many years, Dr. Hatcher and I both wanted to ensure the same continuity of care could be maintained. I am extremely grateful to be able to offer care to all you, and for the help and guidance from Dr. Hatcher. After graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina, I began practicing in North Carolina. During this time, I discovered my passion for helping patients with missing or broken teeth or smiles they were embarrassed of. Being able to use advancements in dentistry like dental implants, CAD/CAM technology, 3D imaging, and sedation dentistry, we can often completely restore patients

smiles (and confidence!) in 1–2 appointments. The last few weeks, we have been busy adding the computers and equipment needed to do this right in here in Dacula! I am extremely excited about how this can benefit all patients with more predictable, cost-efficient treatment with less discomfort and appointments!

Outside of the office, my wife, Margaret, and I have called Gwinnett county home since 2011. In that time, we have felt so fortunate to see both our patient family as well as household grow — we have four children, Eloise, 8, Teddy, 6, Finn, 3, and Georgia, 1. Family has always been very important to me, and as a patient I can promise we will always treat you as such and continue to provide the same high level of care as Dr. Hatcher. I am very excited to meet you all — the office location, hours, and phone number are the same as always, now just with a few new added faces (and some gizmos!).

–Dr. Jones

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TIPS FOR A TOOTH-HEALTHY HALLOWEEN

Avoid Sweet Snacks

I’ve always loved fall: the cooling temperatures, the falling leaves, football, and now with four young children — Halloween. From the ghosts and goblins to the goodies, I’ve learned to love Halloween after seeing the excitement it brings my little ones each year. This year, I thought I’d pass along a few tips to make sure your Halloween is full of treats (and is tooth-friendly!). To help you sort through the trick-or-treat bag, below is a rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth, as well as a few tips for this Halloween season.

Snacking can increase your risk of cavities due to the more frequent exposure to carbohydrates and sugar … especially if you keep snacking from the candy bowl! Instead, look for tooth- and body- healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese.

Dr. Jones and family out trick-or-treating

Chocolate

Drink More Water

As far teeth are concerned, chocolate is probably the most smile- friendly treat in your bag. Chocolate is more easily washed away and dissolved from the teeth, and dark chocolate also contains much less sugar than other candies.

Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay and dry- mouth and assist in washing away food particles. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

Stay Away from Sugary Beverages

Hard Candy

This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased. Many of these beverages are also very acidic, which further softens teeth.

Hard candies have a high potential for causing cavities due to the tendency to suck on these treats for longer periods of time. This essentially causes a “sugar bath” for your teeth that cavity-causing bacteria can feast on. If you do eat hard candies, try not to suck on them for long periods of time.

Chew Gum with the ADA Seal

Sticky and Gummy Candies

Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by bacteria. Sugar-free gum is also an excellent “treat” alternative that actually helps your teeth!

Aside from the high sugar content, sticky and gummy candies tend to accumulate in the pits and grooves of teeth. These are some of the biggest culprits for decay, especially in kids! Try to limit these treats, and it’s especially important ensure proper brushing is occurring should your little ones have a “sweet tooth” for these kinds of candy.

Don’t Forgot to Floss!

Most of us do a great job remembering to brush (Who doesn’t love that minty-fresh feeling?), but daily flossing sometimes gets left out of our routines. Floss reaches plaque and food particles a tooth brush cannot reach — especially in the areas most likely to develop a cavity!

Sour Candy

You might want to pass on things that make you pucker — especially the sticky ones that are coated in sugar! Sour candy usually achieves that sour taste by altering the pH of the candy. Some of the super sour varieties like Warheads have a pH in the 1.6–1.8 range. That’s just slightly less acidic than battery acid! Acidic candies begin to soften the enamel, and when paired with high sugar content, the risk of cavities or damage to the teeth is much higher!

Don’t Forget Your Dental Appointments!

Regular dental visits can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early, when they are easy to treat.

I hope the above tips are helpful in ensuring your Halloween season is full of treats and hopefully no tricks! If you aren’t already scheduled for your next dental visit with us, you can now book your appointment online at Jonessmiles.com or call 770-965-3048. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Halloween!

Timing is Everything

It is best to eat candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. This is due to the increase in protective saliva production during meals. Saliva helps to neutralize acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria as well as wash away food particles.

–Dr. Jones

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How to Teach Your Kids to Brush and Floss Creating Healthy Habits

No one is more excited for Halloween than your children — most likely because they get to dress up as their favorite characters and get free candy. While scrumptious, it’s a well-known fact that candy can be dangerous to your teeth. Teaching your children proper dental hygiene can help mitigate some of the damage caused by candy, so try some of these dental hygiene teaching tips to help your kids develop a healthy relationship with brushing. Set an example. As a parent, your kid looks up to you as a role model. If you have bad dental health and hygiene, they’re going to take that as a hint that proper teeth maintenance isn’t important. Brush and floss together every night or go shopping and pick out your toothbrushes together. Children are little repeat-robots, so if your child sees that you’re invested in your own oral health, they’re likely to pick up those habits too. Make it fun. Try some stellar dance moves to go with a proper brushing technique. Download a brushing buddy app that will turn brushing their teeth into a game or a music jam session. Whatever

you have to do, the goal is to get your kids to see that brushing your teeth isn’t too much of a hassle, and in some cases, it can be fun! They will look forward to their nightly game, and you’ll just be happy they’re healthy.

Practice makes perfect. If you have a youngster who’s not quite ready to take on their oral care just yet, you have a perfect opportunity to get them into the habit by practicing on their toys. You can buy a toy and cheap toothbrush and have your child practice a regular routine while getting familiar with the tool. Before bed, make sure Teddy has a clean set of pearly whites, and when it comes time for your kiddo to start brushing their own teeth, they will know how to do it.

Stay up to date on your family’s dental health at Jones Smiles. Call us today at 770-965-3048 to schedule an appointment.

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING

“Always a very pleasant experience. The most comfortable cleaning I’ve ever experienced. I would recommend this office to everyone.” –CONNIE D. “A great place to have any dental work done. Dr. Jones and all the staff make you so comfortable. Plus, you come out with a big SMILE ...” –BOB K.

PALEO PUMPKIN COCONUT SMOOTHIE

This meal-in-a-glass smoothie will cure your craving for a pumpkin spice latte. It’s packed with nutrients and fall flavor. If you’re the type of person who uses your blender more than your pots and pans, you’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your rotation.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut milk • 1/4 cup organic pumpkin purée • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or substitute with cinnamon and ginger) • 1 frozen banana, sliced • 1 cup ice 1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high or on smoothie setting until smooth. 3. Transfer to a cold glass, garnish with pumpkin pie spice, and serve. Directions

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Just a Few Added Faces PAGE1 Tips for a Tooth-Healthy Halloween PAGE2 Teaching Kids to Brush Our Patients Say It Best Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie PAGE3 3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History PAGE4

3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History THE MONSTERS SOME BELIEVE ARE REAL

There are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination. THE JERSEY DEVIL According to legend, the 1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the

backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining, red eyes.

THE BUNYIP When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described as an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain. THE LOVELAND FROG One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.

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