Calapooia Family Dental - November 2020

Calapooia Family Dental - November 2020

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

Calapooia Courier November 2020

IN A STRANGE YEAR The Value of Gratitude

Rebecca and I have tried to get into the habit of asking our daughter, Norah, what she’s most thankful for. It’s usually her house, her family, and good food that she appreciates most, but we’ve learned that gratitude really doesn’t have to be complex. Sometimes we’re just happy to wear our favorite pair of jeans or glad to have woken up without back pain. As we prepare to celebrate one of the strangest holiday seasons yet, the concept of gratitude has been on my mind quite a bit lately and for good reason. Psychologists note that finding the little pieces of our lives that we are most grateful for each day can be very beneficial to our physical and mental well-being. This doesn’t have to be grand, and in fact, finding joy in the little things can be powerful. For me, sometimes it’s simply that I get to fully enjoy a cup of coffee on a Sunday without it going cold! It’s that easy. I’ve actually made it a goal and personal mission to develop my own sense of gratitude. I even listen to a few podcasts on the subject regularly. (These are “The Happiness Lab” and Dr. Justin Coulson’s “Happy Families,” for those who are interested in learning more about scientific research on gratitude!) It’s been really powerful to look at my own life and see the many small and big things that I have to be grateful for each and every day. Throughout the process, I’ve learned that you are never too old and it’s never too late to work on yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve taken a lot of time this year to focus internally and on my goals. I turned 40 this year. I was never worried about turning 40 but that milestone has helped me prioritize learning and growing more in the future.

Looking back on the year, there are plenty of things that stand out as points of gratitude. I’ve mentioned it before, but the pandemic and my knee surgery coincided perfectly and allowed me to heal faster than I expected. I never wanted to tear my meniscus, and I wish COVID-19 had never happened, but if I could find an immediate silver lining, that certainly jumps out! I’m also happy to have had more time to create more meaningful memories with my kids and family. Vacations are fun and exciting, but I’ve come to have a better appreciation for the people I’m with when creating those memories. That’s what matters most, and this pandemic has been a great reminder of that. Finally, I’m grateful for my team here at Calapooia Family Dental and the patients we see. This year hasn’t been easy for the business, but our team’s and patients’ tremendous patience and flexibility have made it that much easier. There’s a sense of camaraderie knowing we’re not alone in this fight. This Thanksgiving is likely going to be very different than it was just one year ago, but in some ways, we have more to be grateful for this year than in the past. I’ve learned a lot this year, and I’m proud to say that. We’ve overcome some great challenges together, too. And if we can find the little things to be grateful for amidst the obstacles and uncertainty, then we will make it through this time together.

Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe!

-Dr. Brian Summers

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Run This Month

The beauty of Thanksgiving is that we get to enjoy a feast with the people we love. But if the thought of all that food is already causing you to bloat, look no further than local races! With virtual events to keep you and your loved ones safe, these Thanksgiving races are sure to help you create extra room for seconds. AT THESE 3 VIRTUAL TURKEY TROTS

The Importance of Oral Care

Gobbler’s Revenge Where: Albany, Oregon When: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 Website: OMRoadRace.org/gobblers-revenge

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH HEALTHY WHEN YOU ARE SICK

Each year, the local Lions Club invites racers from across the region to help raise funds for their vision and hearing programs by participating in the Gobbler’s Revenge. The race includes a 2.5-mile walk, a 5K, and a 10K, for those who wish to push themselves a little further. This year, Gobbler’s Revenge will still take place on Thanksgiving morning, but there’s a twist. Rather than meeting in one location to race, the Lions Club is asking that participants register virtually and race from home (or around their neighborhood). That way, you can exercise safely while supporting a great cause.

Flu season is right around the corner, which means people will inevitably get sick. Whether you come down with the sniffles or a fever, one thing is for sure: Taking care of your body should be your No. 1 priority to help you stay healthy. While rest and hydration help, it’s also important to take care of your mouth. Dr. Gene Romo, an American Dental Association dentist, states that “it’s important to take care of your dental health all year, but especially when you’re sick.” Brush With Care The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the flu virus can live on moist surfaces, including toothbrushes, for 72 hours. After you’ve been sick, you need to be especially mindful. It can be in your best interest to throw your toothbrush away, but if you decide to keep it, you can clean the toothbrush by soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash for a few minutes before future use. Stop the Cough A sore throat and coughing are some of the more prevalent symptoms of the common cold or flu. Cough drops are used to soothe the throat and help reduce coughing, and while they do work, many cough drops contain sugar. “It is like sucking on candy,” Dr. Romo says. To avoid this, check the label before you purchase them. Make sure to avoid any ingredients like corn syrup and fructose. Swish and Spit Nausea and vomiting can be negative side effects of getting sick. Dr. Romo states that “when you vomit, stomach acids are coming in contact with your teeth and coating them.” It’s tempting to brush your teeth right away after you’ve been sick, but doing so could actually rub those acids all over your teeth. Before brushing, rinse your mouth with a diluted mouth rinse (a mixture of water and 1 teaspoon baking soda) to remove any acids that might be lingering in your mouth and wait 30 minutes.

Corvallis Turkey Trot Where: Corvallis, Oregon When: All November Website: OACTurkeyTrot.com

Support low-income families while racing whenever and wherever it suits you this month in the Corvallis Turkey Trot (CTT). (Pro Tip: Participants who post a photo of themselves racing at the event to CTT’s social media pages during the week of Thanksgiving will receive a special gift!) Proceeds from the event’s registration and donation drive will go to the Family Assistance Fund. If you want to give back without racing, you can do so by donating throughout November.

Virtual Turkey Trot Challenge Where: Anywhere! When: Through the end of 2020 Website: TheVirtualRunChallenge.com If you’re ready for your first Turkey Trot, but don’t want to commit to a local race, check out the virtual Turkey Trot Challenge! Run this race in your own time and place through the end of 2020. Participants will receive a T-shirt and medal just for trying to race. After you get this year under your belt, you can try the in-person local races next year!

Keep yourself and your mouth as healthy as you can this flu season!

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HAVE YOU SEEN TIKTOK’S DIY DENTAL VIDEOS? Here’s Why They’re Dangerous!

DIY may be the quickest way to save a few bucks, but some do-it-yourself tips and tricks actually do more harm than good. That’s the case with the latest TikTok trend: DIY dental care. Millions of viewers across the globe are tuning into amateur, and potentially dangerous, videos on topics from teeth whitening to cosmetic “dentistry” in hopes of saving some money on dental work. Some TikTok users have suggested whitening teeth with bleach, while others have demonstrated how to straighten teeth or glue “braces” onto them. While some “tips” are just ridiculous, others pose serious health risks. It can be life-threatening or deadly to use bleach or other household products on your teeth that have not been verified by the Food and Drug Administration or the American Dental Association as safe for oral use. Ingesting bleach or other

products not intended for consumption can cause irreparable harm to your mouth, teeth, gums, and digestive system. Bleach can also burn your esophagus and stomach and, when ingested in certain quantities, can even cause death. (If you do ingest bleach, call poison control or 911 immediately.) Other viral dental trends include physically altering teeth with a nail file or gluing gems onto teeth for fake braces! However, these trends can result in permanent damage and teeth sensitivity. Filing your teeth with a nail file can wear away at the enamel, exposing your teeth to harmful bacteria and making it impossible to enjoy cold or hot drinks. This may also cause cracks or chipping, which can be costly to fix and painful. Furthermore, once your enamel is gone, it’s difficult and costly to replace, and this can only be done through procedures and extra treatment.

The best and safest way to get straight, white, clean teeth is to work with your dentist to find viable and safe treatment options that protect your pearly whites and give you better results than any TikTok video ever could. So, put down the nail file and the bleach and call Calapooia Family Dental instead. If you see a trend that gets you thinking about changes you want to make to your teeth, call 541‑926‑3689.

SUDOKU

Cinnamon-Spiced Candied Sweet Potatoes INGREDIENTS

• 4 lbs orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1 tbsp

kosher salt • 1/4 tsp ground cloves • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed • 4 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Place sweet potato wedges in a 4-quart baking dish. 3. Sprinkle sugar, salt, and cloves over sweet potatoes. 4. Dot with butter and place cinnamon sticks around sweet potatoes.

5. Bake, turning every 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. 7. Discard cinnamon sticks and serve.

Inspired by FoodAndWine.com

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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

What I Learned This Year Oral Care During Cold and Flu Season Stay Active With Virtual Turkey Trots The Dangers of TikTok’s DIY Dental Care Sudoku Cinnamon-Spiced Candied Sweet Potatoes Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway? Inside This Issue 1 2 3 4

IS ‘GLAMPING’ THE PERFECT WINTER GETAWAY? Cabin Fever Has Never Been So Stylish

you access to the peace of the outdoors like you’ve never experienced before without so much as a shiver or sniffle. If you’ve decided to make glamping your go-to method of escape from the cabin fever that besets us all during the cold, dark winter days, you might be thinking: How can I make sure I have the best glamping experience possible? Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can apply to any glamping location to ensure that your time away from home is just as relaxing as that Caribbean cruise would have been.

bed, whether you opt for a log cabin or a specialized glamping tent (sometimes called a yurt). However, some of the more posh options include amenities like fresh linens, private bathrooms and showers, fully stocked kitchenettes, and even TVs. Step 2: Decide how you want to spend your time. Obviously, the point of glamping is to spend time in the great outdoors with winter activities, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other fun snow activities. However, glamping really shines during the frigid evenings. You can retreat indoors, throw some logs in the stove, prepare some hot cocoa or cider, and just watch the snowfall from your window. There’s no right or wrong way to glamp. All that matters is spending time in the wilderness with all the comforts of home — all while feeling refreshed and at peace.

When COVID-19 struck the U.S., travel restrictions had people canceling their vacation plans left and right. This meant that many would-be vacationers had to find some getaways a little closer to home — namely, camping trips and their fancier cousin, glamping trips. If you haven’t heard of “glamping” before, it’s essentially glamorous camping. You have access to the beautiful, rugged outdoors as well as all the comforts of home. While traditional winter camping certainly wouldn’t be a relaxing getaway for most people, glamping during the winter months can give

Step 1: Decide which kind of lodging you want.

Glamping shelters come in all shapes and sizes depending on the level of comfort you desire on your trip. The most rugged glamping lodgings usually still include a wood-burning stove and a nice comfy

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