Anderson Dental Care - January 2020

Anderson Dental Care - January 2020

BRUSH - UP

ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.

7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | JANUARY 2020

MAKING IT STICK SETTING GOALS AND ACHIEVING THEM WITHOUT WILLPOWER

I have a confession: I love baked goods. If there’s any kind of pastry or sweet confection in my house or office, I have to eat it. I love the flaky crusts, sweet fillings, and sugary icings, and, as hard as I might try to pass up grabbing a doughnut or two from the box, by the fourth time I pass it, I have to have one. It feels like a compulsory need, and while I enjoy it at the moment, I know I’ll regret it later. I also know that sweets are horrible for my teeth and my overall health, especially since I have allergies to milk, gluten, and yeast — the baked good trifecta. I bet you’ve found yourself in my shoes. Have you ever promised yourself you will give up sugar or that Monday will be the day you start your junk-free lifestyle, only to be derailed by birthday treats in the break room? Or, what about the promise you made to yourself to quit smoking, only to find yourself outside with your friends enjoying your “last” cigarette — again. Don’t be so hard on yourself! You weren’t born with a weak sense of willpower that you need to build up. Instead, as author Benjamin Hardy explains in “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” there’s a pretty clear reason the goals you set for yourself may not be working: the environment you put yourself in to achieve your goals. I read Hardy’s book this past year, and I was intrigued by the notion that our environments play a critical role in our goals. Hardy encourages people to surround themselves with people, situations, and places that will push them toward their goal. He teaches us ways to use the knowledge

and skills of successful people to become successful ourselves.

As we prepare to tackle New Year’s goals, I’m taking Hardy’s observations and expertise to heart. Heeding Hardy’s advice, I’ve learned to no longer keep sweets and baked goods in my home and office. It may sound wasteful, but I’ve even gotten in the habit of throwing away or regifting sweet treats I’m given. The gesture is appreciated, but I know I don’t have the capacity to avoid a baked good in any environment. It’s best to not even make them part of my scene!

outdoors. I decided the best way to do this is to incorporate it into my routine and put it into my environment. So, on my way to my car before and after work each day, I’m going to take a moment to take a few deep breaths, enjoy the fresh air, and build from there. Eventually, I hope to get back to rock climbing and hiking more frequently with my family. But by incorporating the outdoors into my daily environment, I know it’s going to become easier each day to spend more time there. This year, I would encourage you to find the pitfalls in your routine causing you to lose sight of your goals. I know you have the ability to meet your goals, and it doesn’t just take a little willpower.

Since I’ve adopted this philosophy, I’ve been successful at avoiding baked goods. As much as my tastebuds miss those sweet treats, I feel healthier, happier, and better, and I feel confident in my ability to avoid those dangerous creations. the environment you put yourself in to achieve your goals.” “... there’s a pretty clear reason the goals you set for yourself may not be working:

– Dr. Brooks

This year, I have a few goals I’ll be working on, too. One of these is to spend more time

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EXPAND YOUR FAMILY’S HORIZONS BY OPENING YOUR HOME TO AN EXCHANGE STUDENT

YOUR WHOLE BODY WILL THANK YOU START FLOSSING IN THE NEW YEAR The human mouth plays host to billions of bacteria, and when you opt not to floss your teeth, every last one of them is thrilled. These bacteria are most excited if you eat simple carbs — think bread, pasta, cereal, and anything sweet or sticky — and leave little chunks of food between your teeth for them to feast on. More food for bacteria means that they’ll do what bacteria do — form plaques on your teeth, reproduce, and generate acids they then drop on your teeth and gums. The greater the size of a bacterial colony, the worse things get for your oral health. But the adverse health effects of not flossing impact the entire body. When your body detects the bacterial infection in your mouth, it activates the immune system and begins the inflammation process, meaning the immune cells that normally would be available to fight other infections are busy waging a war on the bacteria in your mouth. As if a weakened immune system wasn’t bad enough, multiple studies have linked oral bacteria entering the bloodstream to serious illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Flossing is serious business, and not doing it can have life-altering effects beyond just preventing that next cavity. If you aren’t already in the habit of regularly flossing, starting up a routine can be hard at first. Your gums may feel sore and bleed, but it will get easier and less painful with time. If you simply can’t get yourself to start flossing the old-fashioned way, try a tool like GumChucks or a Waterpik Power Flosser. In addition to having an amazing name, GumChucks offer improved dexterity and control. They also eliminate the need to put your fingers in your mouth. Waterpik Power Flossers, while not offering a full replacement for flossing, can be useful as a way to clean out anything you may have loosened up while flossing the old fashioned way, and the novelty of using one might offer you just the fresh slate you need to start forming your new habit.

Hosting an exchange student in your home may not be something you’ve considered before, but there are many reasons why adding an international member to your family is great for everyone involved.

DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING

One of the most valuable traits we can learn is to be understanding of others. Learning about other countries and cultures offers an opportunity to be more receptive to the idea that, no matter how far apart people live or how much the languages we speak differ, at our core, we have a lot in common. Navigating life with this open mindset has far-reaching value your entire family will benefit from.

CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIP

Welcoming a new member into your home paves the way for new friendships to blossom. Even though the duration may often feel short, the friendships developed during an exchange are strong, and it’s not uncommon for host families and students to keep in touch for years after they’ve parted ways. Having friends in different parts of the world is also convenient when it comes to travel — you might get lucky enough to have a nice place to stay when you’re in their neck of the woods!

BROADEN HORIZONS

It’s not just your family who will reap the benefits of opening your home to an exchange student; the student has much to gain as well. They’ll immerse themselves in your culture and get to see how your community lives harmoniously together. You’ll play an important role in showing them what life is like in your backyard while gleaning important perspectives on what life is like in theirs.

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HELP YOUR KIDS ACHIEVE MORE THIS YEAR

WITH SIMPLE AND ACTIONABLE GOALS

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SAUERKRAUT

YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW!

HOW BIG IS YOUR BRAIN?: We’re giving away $25 every week! Just check our Facebook page every Tuesday to play our Tuesday Trivia contest. We’ll post a question, you post the answer, and you’re entered to win! Every Wednesday, we’ll post the answer, some additional info, and announce the winner of a $25 Amazon e-gift card. Visit our page at Facebook.com/atowndental. DEAR READER, RESOLVE TO MAIL A LETTER IN 2020: In this digital world, there’s no better way to connect with those you love than by writing them a letter. Psychologists note that your brain builds 10,000 neural pathways to write something down. On the contrary, you only create 600 new pathways when you type on the computer. Just by penning a letter you could build a stronger brain and relationships. Sincerely, The Anderson Dental Care Team.

INGREDIENTS

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2 lbs cabbage

4 tsp fine sea salt

EQUIPMENT

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Jar

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. Let the cabbage continue to soak and release juices for another 20 minutes. 4. Transfer to a jar and press down cabbage until completely submerged in its juices. Weigh down cabbage. 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.

P.S. Based on psychology’s theory, letter writing just might give you the edge you need in our weekly trivia contest!

Inspired by NourishedKitchen.com

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513-438-8152 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM

ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255

You CAN Make Your Goals Stick This Year INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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The Benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student

How Flossing Impacts the Immune System

Helping Your Kids Make New Year’s Resolutions

How to Make Your Own Sauerkraut

The Simple Tooth: Time for Fun Facts!

THE SIMPLE TOOTH FUN FACTS ABOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY

JANUS

stop there. He also negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War; invented bifocal glasses, rocking chairs, and the flexible catheter; and discovered the Gulf Stream.

January is named after Janus, the god of beginnings and endings in Roman mythology. Depicted as a two-faced head, one face looking forward and the other face looking backward, Janus was said to be a gatekeeper. His symbols were a staff and a set of keys. In ancient Rome, there were

With all of those contributions, it would be easy to believe that Franklin never came up with a bad idea, but he generated a few duds as

many jani , or freestanding structures in his honor, that were used to promote a lucky departure for the Roman army.

well. Franklin also invented a phonetic alphabet, one that proposed to do away with letters he considered useless, like C, J, Q, W, X, and Y!

Janus is sometimes called the original god, and, unlike many other Roman gods, he is thought to have actually lived. Multiple origin stories describe him as a real man who was only deified after passing.

NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY

Did you know that Fredric Baur invented the Pringles can, and that, when he died in 2008, his ashes were buried in one? If you’re a fan of quirky facts, you’ll love celebrating National Trivia Day this Jan. 4. Sparked by a passion for trivia and the game Trivial Pursuit that celebrates it, National Trivia Day can be celebrated in a number of different ways. Try busting out #nationaltriviaday on Twitter, or hit up one of the many online quizzes the day inspires.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S BIRTHDAY

Benjamin Franklin was born on Jan. 17, 1706. Most famous for discovering electricity, Franklin is also known for helping draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. But Franklin’s accomplishments don’t

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