Exceptional Smiles - November 2020

Exceptional Smiles - November 2020

November 2020

THE HEIGHTS SM I L E Herald

5825 Lande r b rook Dr i ve , Su i t e 124 , May f i e l d He i gh t s , OH 44124

( 440 ) 483 - 1003

The Good Things in 2020 What Are You Thankful for This Year?

While COVID-19 upended most of 2020 and caused a lot of people a lot of grief, it gave my family a new perspective on what really matters. Earlier this year, we “had to” spend more time together due to the lockdown orders. It brought us closer and fostered a newfound appreciation for one another, not just as family members, but as unique individuals. As parents, my wife and I saw our kids through a new lens. We could see just how much they’ve grown. At times, it can be hard not to see them as the little kids they once were, but in reality, they’ve developed their own hopes, dreams, fears, and interests. The more time we spent together as a family, the more we learned about one another. And it wasn’t just Mom and Dad learning more about their kids; our kids got to learn more about us too. These are moments that you carry with you for the rest of your life. Our kids got to learn more about the lives of their parents before we had kids. For them, it’s like taking a trip through time. They got to hear all kinds of stories and hear about people, places, and events that are seated firmly in those early chapters of our lives. I’m thankful for every moment we’ve had together. I’m also thankful for my staff who rallied together after the shutdown. Our team went to work immediately to get our office back up to speed and to care of our patients in a safe manner. Their dedication ensured we could resume seeing patients when we knew it was okay to do so. And they created an atmosphere in which our patients could rest assured that they were safe and comfortable!

And, speaking of our patients, I am incredibly thankful for you and all of your support over the course of this year. Everyone has been understanding as we’ve worked together throughout the pandemic. You’ve embraced our updated procedures, from the way we schedule to our COVID-19 questionnaires to our appointment screenings. We’ve received a lot of feedback regarding our handling of the situation and one thing is clear: There is a lot of appreciation for the steps we’ve taken. We care deeply about the health and safety of everyone who steps through our door, and we will continue to do everything we can to maintain that level of quality!

In a year like 2020, it’s easy to fall back on the negatives and the things that brought us down, but there’s a lot of good to be found too. As our families gather together for Thanksgiving this year (even if those gatherings are over Zoom or FaceTime), it’s important to focus on the positive. Look for the silver linings and talk about what went well this year. Don’t lose sight of the important things like family, friends, or any of your relationships. From my family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving — and thank you ! -Dr. Jason Schermer

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Flu season is right around the corner, which means people will inevitably get sick. Whether you come down with the flu, the common cold, or COVID-19, 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. An American Dental Association dentist, Dr. Jason Schermer, 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. Schermer 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. Schermer 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.

How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy When You Are Sick THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL CARE

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

DON’T GET LOST IN THE RUSH 2 Easy Ways to Manage Stress During the Hectic Holiday Season

The holiday season is also the season of stress. For many people, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the most stressful weeks of the year, so they fall back on bad habits, like indulging in sugary snacks and neglecting sleep. While stress has many sources, a lot of it comes from feeling overwhelmed with all of the holiday activities. There are family dinners, shopping excursions, home decorating sprees, gift exchanges, office parties, and more. These obligations are mixed in with normal everyday activities, including work, ferrying kids

Give yourself a break. There is no reason to go to every party or partake in every event. Allow yourself to say “no” and take a break when you need it — no questions asked. When you don’t take breaks, you put yourself at risk mentally and physically. Stress can elevate your blood pressure. The American Heart Association reports that heart attacks are 33% more prevalent during December and January than any other time of year. What can you do? Step away from the rush. Find a quiet place to relax and give yourself at least 10 minutes to breathe — literally. Breathing exercises can do wonders to clear your mind during a busy day. Meditation apps like Calm can also help relax and center you.

Elevate your heart rate. Whether you go to the gym or work out at home, making time for exercise is one of the best things you can do during this time of the year. Even better, you can use exercise time to take a break from holiday obligations. Exercise helps you reduce stress, elevate your mood, and manage anger, frustration, and anxiety. But you have to keep up with it. Researchers at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences found that when you take a break of a few days to a week from exercise, its positive effects begin to diminish. All it takes is 30 minutes to an hour a day, and you’ll be feeling great all season long. The choice of physical activity is up to you — it just takes commitment!

or grandkids around, and running errands. But you can defeat that stress! Here’s what you can do.

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An Investment in Our Patients’ Safety, Health, and Comfort!

More Information With Less Radiation Some of the most troubling cavities are the ones that form between two teeth. Called interproximal cavities, these cavities can go unnoticed until they start to cause pain. Your dentist takes an X-ray of your teeth in order to spot interproximal cavities before they become a big problem. The iTero 5D scanner is also able to identify interproximal cavities without exposing patients to radiation. While the radiation from a dental X-ray is minimal, the less radiation you are exposed to in general, the better! Scan the QR code on the other side to view our hygienist, Lauren, identifying an interproximal cavity from an iTero 5D scan she just took! We can also tell if a stain is just a stain and if there is no decay or cavity. Sometimes, we want to verify that the spot is healthy. A New Spectrum of Dental Care Dental health scans conducted with the iTero 5D scanner collect a bunch of useful information. In addition to checking for interproximal cavities, the iTero 5D scanner also creates the same images needed to make Invisalign retainers, whitening trays, or nightguards. This means that if you get home after an appointment and decide you do want to get a nightguard after all, or if your dog ate your whitening trays, you likely won’t have to come back in for those scans. We will already have them on file, saving you time and trips to the office. The iTero Element 5D scanner is a very sophisticated piece of equipment that will do a lot to help improve our patients’ oral health.

Technology is at the core of Exceptional Smiles at Landerbrook’s practice because we know that if we can add to the safety, health, and comfort of our patients, it’s just the right thing to do! We recently introduced some new technology at our office that will benefit you and your oral health. How does our new iTero Element 5D allow you to take charge of your health? Our new iTero Element 5D scanner is the first integrated dental imaging system that records 3D, intra-oral color, and near-infrared imaging (NIRI) scans simultaneously. What does this mean for those who don’t speak “dentist”? Basically, the iTero 5D scanner gives patients more information about their oral health while allowing them to spend less time in the dentist’s chair.

The laser reduces aerosols and splatter by up to 99.9% while creating a cleaner preparation of the tooth, a larger disinfected area on the tooth, and better bonding. You won’t hear the sound of a drill or feel its vibration since the laser works differently than a traditional dental drill. It was perfect timing to invest in this technology and the right thing to do for our patients and our team. Scan the QR code below to view the comparison video. Learn how our Solea Laser is making waves!

No Shots. No Numbness. No Pain. At Exceptional Smiles, we love technology that makes life better for our patients. The Solea laser definitely makes for a better dental experience, and it is safer and more hygienic, so I couldn’t resist investing in it. It is an investment in my patients’ health, safety, and comfort. It also makes the office a safer environment for our dental team, which is also a priority for me. The Solea® All-Tissue Laser is the only computer-aided, CO2 laser system to be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all tissue indications. With Solea’s unique wavelength and computer controls, we can reliably perform many procedures completely free of anesthesia, blood draws, sutures, and pain. Because there is no numbness, you can have filings done the same day as your cleaning, eliminating the need to return to the office for a second visit.

“ The laser was so quiet. It was so nice not

Our primary focus is keeping our patients and our dental team along with their families safe and healthy. People are concerned for not only their own health but also the

to hear the awful sound of the drill! And with no shots, there was no pain at all. Plus, I didn’t have to wait for the area to get numb, so it saved a lot of time for me. With a crazy schedule and working

health of loved ones, too. We will do all we can to ensure their safety and health are our priorities. –Jason Schermer, D.D.S.

remotely, saving time is a great benefit! ” –Patient of Exceptional Smiles

The Stress Connection

HOW STRESS CAN IMPACT THE HEALTH OF YOUR TEETH

Stress can affect you in many different, recognizable ways, but it can also take a toll without you realizing it. For example, did you know that stress can affect your teeth?

If you are dealing with tension in your neck, shoulders, and jaw, there are initial steps you can take to ease that tension. Here are two examples.

Jaw Exercise: Open your mouth as wide as you can without causing any discomfort. With your mouth open, touch the tip of your tongue to the back of your front upper teeth. Hold for five seconds and repeat several times. Neck Massage: Request a massage specifically for your neck and shoulders from a massage therapist. This will help you ease your stress overall while also loosening the muscles that cause your jaw to tighten, leading to clenching or grinding. If these steps do not work — or you find the aches or pains in your jaw and neck difficult to manage — let us know. We can help you determine the next steps you can take to reduce discomfort, keep your teeth healthy, and restore your peace of mind.

When you experience stress, the muscles in your head, neck, and jaw tense up, leading to clenching or teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism.

In many cases, bruxism occurs without you realizing it. While most instances of bruxism occur during sleep, you may also clench your jaw during the day, such as when you’re working, running errands, or doing other daily activities. The more stressed you are, the more likely this is to occur. Symptoms of bruxism manifest in several ways. You may wake up with a headache or with tension in your neck, shoulders, jaw, or all of the above. You may also experience discomfort in your teeth, particularly if you are grinding. Over time, this will wear down your enamel, which can lead to tooth sensitivity if not addressed as soon as possible.

Leah’s Bad Dad Joke of the Month

Zesty Orange Cranberry Sauce Skip the can-shaped cranberry sauce this year and bring a jar of homemade sauce to Thanksgiving instead. This easy recipe can be made ahead of the big event and keeps for 10 days in the fridge.

Ingredients •

Directions 1. In a medium saucepan, heat the orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add other ingredients, then bring mixture back to boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, until the cranberries burst. 3. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until serving.

1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed

• • • • •

1/2 cup water

What do Thanksgiving and Halloween have in common? Gobble-ins!

3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar 12 oz fresh cranberries

2 tsp orange zest

Salt to taste

If you would like your favorite joke featured, email [email protected] . You may see it in our next issue!

Inspired by OnceUponAChef.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

(440) 483-1003

I N S I D E 5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 124 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

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There’s a Lot to Be Thankful for This Year

Oral Care During Cold and Flu Season

How Do You Manage Stress During the Holiday Rush?

Stress and the Health of Your Teeth

Zesty Orange Cranberry Sauce

A Number of Importance

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month Why Veterans Day and the Number 11 Go Hand in Hand

Veterans Day comes every Nov. 11. It’s a national holiday that recognizes veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and honors those both living and deceased. Historically, the day marks Armistice Day and the end of the Great War: World War I. But what is the significance of the number 11? The armistice was signed at 5:45 a.m. in France, but it took effect at 11 a.m. that same morning, which happened to be Nov. 11, 1918. The armistice originally lasted 36 days but was extended month after month. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, when peace was officially declared.

Later that year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that Nov. 11 would be known as Armistice Day to honor those who fought in the Great War. This lasted until 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation turning Armistice Day into Veterans Day. The change was made in order to recognize all veterans who had honorably served their country. By 1954, the U.S. had fought in more wars — specifically World War II and the Korean War — and hundreds of thousands more Americans had served.

Veterans Day a federal holiday under the Uniform Holiday Bill. The idea was to increase the number of three-day weekends in the year. Veterans Day became a holiday that would fall on the fourth Monday of October, a far cry from Nov. 11.

However, in 1978, Veterans Day was restored to its original Nov. 11 date. But why?

The answer is simple. It’s a number that sticks with you. When the clock strikes 11:11, you always take notice. By that same notion, we all remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Because of this, we’ll never forget the end of the Great War, nor will we forget those who served.

Unsurprisingly, there was some political drama surrounding the day. In 1968, Congress made

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