Calapooia Dental - April 2020

Calapooia Dental - April 2020

Little League Dreams SHARING MY BASEBALL MEMORIES WITH MY DAUGHTER

Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

I had the unique opportunity to coach my daughter Norah’s first T-ball team this past year, and while I hadn’t planned to do it, I have to admit I really enjoyed myself. It may have felt a lot like herding cats, but I loved introducing Norah and her teammates to a sport I have been passionate about since I was a little kid cheering for the Minnesota Twins and playing third base on my own team. I first started playing baseball on a T-ball team. Eventually, I came to play third base, which is a unique position because I could see nearly every part of the field and had a close-up view of the action or a direct hand in it. I had to be ready for just about anything at third base since the ball was often traveling at maximum speed once it was hit, and I had to make fast and accurate decisions once I got it. To me, baseball is a truly unique sport. Players rely on their teammates for so many aspects of the game, but there are purely individual parts as well. Each player on offense has a chance to hit the ball and score, but every player on defense has to work cohesively to prevent the other team from scoring. I always relished the chance to work on my own skills and techniques, while bonding and building a relationship with my teammates.

Calapooia Courier April 2020

into high school ball, the pitches became more complex and my hitting strategy became more of a mental game than a physical one. Nothing can really compare to going head-to-head with a pitcher and smacking the baseball right in that sweet spot as far as I could. I can still feel my heart pounding as I rounded the bases after a great hit! enjoy hitting and throwing in her first season, and I have to say that she seemed to be a natural! I’ll admit it was a little tough to not cheer louder for her than every other kid on the team, and while I may be a little biased, I believe she was able to pick up the game quickly. I’m bummed that I won’t be able to coach her this year, but I’m also excited to get to be just a parent in the stands. Who knows how long she will play? At least we can have some fun together while she does. And that’s all you can really hope for from Little League. While I love watching my Minnesota Twins — even during the heartbreaking seasons — few things can compare to seeing my own child have just as much free-spirited fun as I did when I was a little kid out in the ball field. Today, I’m happy to share one of my favorite sports with Norah. She seemed to really

My favorite part of the game, though, was hitting. As I aged out of Little League and

Good luck to all the young athletes this season!

-Dr. Brian Summers

541-926-3689 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

What Led Shelley Wright to Our Office and What Keeps Her Here Inspired to Help

THE AGE OF STRESS

HELPING YOUR CHILD OVERCOME ANXIETY

It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress. Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels. When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal from the people around them. According to KidsHealth.org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel. According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition, proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect. Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor. What are their stressors? How do I know if my child is stressed? Can I help reduce their stress?

Shelley Wright never forgot the dental hygienist from her childhood. In fact, it was that hygienist who sparked Shelley’s interest in the career.

“She always talked really highly of her job,” Shelley recalls. “It was a field that I wanted to pursue because of the flexibility.”

Shelley has been with the Calapooia Family Dental team for more than five years, but she has been practicing as a dental hygienist for the past 17 years. She agrees with what her hygienist said all those years ago: The flexibility that comes with the career is one of its biggest perks. This helps because Shelley and her husband, Steven, are the parents of an active 10-year-old, and they’re are often coaching or cheering on their daughter during her volleyball, basketball, and softball seasons. As a dental hygienist at Calapooia Family Dental, Shelley has had opportunities to join our team in providing special needs dentistry for patients at local hospitals. She is one of the only hygienists in the nation with hospital privileges. This is the first time she’s experienced this in her career, and while it’s something she never thought she would do, it’s an opportunity that she appreciates having. In addition to the flexibility her position affords her, Shelley says the patients she helps every day and her coworkers are what makes her experience at Calapooia Family Dental great. “We all have similar interests, and we all get along very well,” Shelley says of her coworkers. “Everybody plays their part really well, and it’s just something I look forward to every day because we’ve grown so close.” Outside of the office, Shelley, Steven, their daughter, and their cat, Simon, can probably be found camping. Shelley and Steven stay active in their daughter’s sports and enjoy playing on a coed volleyball team as well. We’re glad Shelley’s dental hygienist left such an impression on her when she was a little girl because she continues to add great value to our team. Thanks for all the work you do, Shelley!

2 CALAPOOIAFAMILYDENTAL.COM

It’s Time to Quit These Bad Oral Health Habits

Habits are finicky. Most people don’t even realize when they are doing them, and this makes quitting bad habits difficult for anyone. Experts claim it takes 21 days to break a habit, so start kicking these bad oral health habits today for a clean and pain-free smile. Using Your Teeth as Tools While our teeth are great tools for helping us break down food, they are not intended to be used for other purposes. Using your teeth to open containers or tear off packaging can cause painful problems, like cracking, breaking, and weakening enamel, which are also expensive to fix. What’s more, exposing your mouth to the germs hidden on these materials weakens your body’s defenses against illnesses. ( Note: This goes for nail biting, too! This nasty oral habit can lead to structural damage to teeth and poor health outcomes, so it’s a good habit to give up.) Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard Regularly brushing your teeth is one of the best ways to protect your mouth from harmful bacteria and decay, but there’s a caveat to this: If you brush your teeth too hard, you open your mouth up to a litany of issues, including receding gums

and enamel erosion. There are two quick ways to see if you are brushing your teeth too hard. Check to see if your toothbrush has splayed or broken bristles or if your gums hurt or bleed after brushing. If you notice either of these, you may be brushing too hard. You can mitigate hard brushing by opting for a soft-bristled toothbrush and going to the dentist regularly.

Sucking Your Thumb Many children suck their thumbs. And while most will grow out of this habit, those who don’t run the risk of future dental problems that are complex and costly, including misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and damage to their mouth’s palate. It’s vital for parents to discover why their child continues to suck their thumb if this habit continues as the child ages. Seek assistance and guidance from medical and mental health professionals. Dental professionals can also help by monitoring the oral implications of this habit. You don’t have to kick a bad oral health habit alone! Our team can give you the tools to help you get started. Learn more at your next appointment. Schedule today by calling 541-926-3689.

EASY Deviled Eggs

SUDOKU

While the kids hunt for Easter eggs in the yard, whip up this easy deviled egg recipe for a hearty snack that’s sure to satisfy any craving.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 2 tbsp milk • 1 tsp dried parsley flakes • 1/2 tsp dill weed • 1/2 tsp fresh chives, minced • 1/2 tsp ground mustard

• Salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper, to taste • 12 large eggs, hard-boiled • Fresh parsley, minced, and paprika for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, milk, parsley flakes, dill, chives, mustard, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well and set aside. 2. Cut eggs lengthwise and remove yolks carefully to preserve egg whites. 3. In a small bowl, mash yolks. 4. Mix mashed yolks with mayonnaise mixture. 5. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites. 6. Garnish with fresh parsley and paprika. Refrigerate before serving.

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

541-926-3689 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

1070 24th Ave SW Albany, OR 97321 541-926-3689 CalapooiaFamilyDental.com

Baseball Memories Inside this Issue 1 2 Helping Your Child Manage Stress

Meet Dental Hygienist Shelley Wright!

3

Ordinary Habits That Are Bad for Your Teeth

Easy Deviled Eggs

4

The Best Locations for Spring Blooms

Spring is here, which means beautiful flowers are finally showing themselves after a long winter. Here are some of the best places in the U.S. to see flower blossoms and welcome the season. Great Smoky Mountains The Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across North Carolina and Tennessee, and while its scenery is beautiful year- round, the park is especially alluring to nature enthusiasts during the spring. Through this season, miles of lady’s-slipper orchids, irises, cardinal flowers, and lilies dot its lush green landscape. It’s dubbed “Wildflower National Park” throughout this time of year, and you can experience it by car or on foot. Before visiting, check NPS.gov for updated information on park closures due to COVID-19. Crested Butte Crested Butte, Colorado, is best known for its winter sports and summer hikes. But recently it has drawn the attention of flower enthusiasts for its unique pink, orange, and gold alpine wildflowers that appear in the spring. This natural phenomenon even inspired the creation of the annual Wildflower Festival in midsummer, which features nature walks, art, photography, culinary experiences, and more. For a truly unique experience, you can even ascend the town’s SEE SPRING BLOOM In These Beautiful Locations

titular Crested Butte to spot some rare alpine sunflowers next to the picturesque West Elk Mountains.

Antelope Valley The California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, California, is a 1,780-acre park that features sloping hills covered with fields of vibrant orange, yellow, and red poppies in the spring. Warm temperatures and heavy rainfall across Southern California during this time of year create a brief period of thick blooms as far as the eye can see. And while the poppies can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car, the best way to experience them is to walk the leisurely Antelope Loop Trail for a breathtaking, up-close adventure. Visit Parks.CA.gov for the latest information on visiting the parks during the COVID-19 epidemic. Spring flora is gorgeous and naturally attracts large crowds of people every year. If you plan to visit any of these destinations, just remember that their ecosystems are delicate. Respect park signs, stay on designated trails, and do your part to make sure these flowers return year after year for future generations to enjoy.

4 CALAPOOIAFAMILYDENTAL.COM

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com