Flax Dental - February 2022

Flax Dental - February 2022

404-255-9080 | www.flaxdental.com

February 2022

What do you look forward to most about Valentine’s Day? I can only imagine there are mixed responses to that question. As far as popular holidays go, Valentine’s Day is probably the most contested. Not without good reason, though; some people procrastinate showing affection to the people they love and don’t put in much effort until holidays like Valentine’s Day. When do we stop and ask ourselves: “Do I show enough love to my loved ones — all year long?” Are the ways we show love appropriate for the person in mind? I like to think answering these questions for ourselves at Flax Dental is what helps us build unique, long-lasting relationships with every single patient. One of the most common compliments I hear about our practice is about the excellence of our service. Years ago, I read the book “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman, and I think the lessons it shares can apply to excellent customer service, too, particularly when it comes to understanding the way love and/or appreciation is received. Chapman writes, “We tend to speak our own love language, to express love to others in a language that would make us feel loved. But if it is not his/her primary love language, it will not mean to them what it would mean to us.” Showing a Little Love Makes a Big Difference

be a lot keener on the ways a patient appreciates (or doesn’t appreciate) attention. Ultimately, you can’t assume that a single gesture will mean the same thing to another person. When training staff, I ask them, “What can you do for that patient right now that will be meaningful for them? What makes a difference?” For our staff training, I even go into the different types of love languages and the variety of ways we can better serve our patients. “Take the time to tell someone that you care and appreciate them — don’t worry about whether they know already. Everyone needs a reminder.” This mentality has always been a major game-changer for us. If you’re curious about the five love languages and ways they can apply to your life, I made a quick list: • Words of Affirmation: Take the time to tell someone that you care and appreciate them — don’t worry about whether they know already. Everyone needs a reminder.

• Acts of Service: Show chivalry and don’t neglect the little things.

• Receiving Gifts: Find ways to sneak in little gifts throughout your relationship with this person, even if it’s completely spontaneous. • Quality Time: Always save time to give people undivided attention. Don’t “scroll and talk” — putting the phone down can mean the world.

People naturally adjust to others all the time, but when you make empathic listening a consistent, conscious decision, you can

• Physical Touch: Hugs, when needed, can go a long way!

It brings me a lot of pride when I hear compliments about our service; I never want customers to hesitate to reach out to myself or my team for anything they need. Better yet, we’ll be at your side every step of the way — all year long.

For this month in February, we want to know: What’s your favorite way that people have shown love towards you? Tell us on Facebook and you can win your partner (or friend) a complimentary whitening! Submit your answer by Feb. 15, 2022, to our Facebook page today at Facebook.com/FlaxDental.

–Hugh Flax

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More Than a Pinch of Salt 3 Ways to Reduce Your Sodium Intake

The average American adult eats 1,000 milligrams (mg) more than the recommended amount of sodium each day. Salt enhances flavor, is easy to add to food, and tastes pretty delicious. Unfortunately, too much of it is unhealthy and can cause high blood pressure or kidney damage. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. Read food labels. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of sodium, so it’s best to shop for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. In particular, avoid premade sauces whenever possible. If you need to buy prepared meals, always read the label and look for items with less than 600 mg of sodium — the highest amount a meal can contain and still be labeled “healthy” by the FDA. Check serving sizes as well; 400 mg of sodium in one meal sounds good until you realize there are 2–3 servings in the package.

to liven up your food. Experiment with new spices; the bolder the flavor, the less you’ll notice the

reduced salt. Garlic is a popular choice, but check the nutrition information — salt is included in many spice blends.

Keep the shaker out of sight. If you want to reduce the amount of salt you use, try putting it away. Keeping salt on the table increases the temptation to sprinkle a little bit more on your meal. You can still get up and get the salt out of the cupboard if it’s really needed, but you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your actions and make a more conscious decision. It will also help kids, who may instinctively reach for the salt or copy their parents. Cutting salt takes time, but the preference for salt is an acquired taste, and it can be unlearned. It may take several weeks or even a couple months to get used to the flavor of reduced salt, but those who successfully do often find salty foods they used to eat unpalatable. Once the extra sodium is gone from your diet, you probably won’t miss it — and your body will be a lot healthier for it.

Try other flavors. We have easy access to more types of salt than ever, but unfortunately, sea salt, Himalayan salt, and kosher salt

don’t contain any less sodium than the table variety. Luckily, there are plenty of other seasonings available

Good News The

The Effects of Sleep on Oral Health Why Your Daily Sleep Affects Your Teeth

No. 3: Snoring is not just for adults. Pediatric snoring is not kids’ stuff. Snoring is one of the key symptoms of sleep apnea, which is not just a problem found in adults. In children, sleep problems are sometimes the result of jaw and teeth development. Breathing is greatly affected by the positions of the jaws and the size of the oral cavity. If a child’s mouth is not large enough, their tongue tends to struggle with its position. That can lead to crowding in the mouth and problems with breathing and sleep apnea. When a child loses sleep over time, or they are deprived of oxygen because of a blockage in their airway due to the tongue not having enough room, their brain does not develop as well. Constant disruptions during sleep can interrupt the release of certain hormones that children need during development. They can end up having memory problems, learning problems, poor performance in school, and lower IQs, and they can even be diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder (ADD). This can lead to misdiagnoses and unnecessary prescriptions for medication, when the child just needs to breathe better and sleep well. If you suspect that your child has sleep apnea or if you have more questions about sleep and oral health, don’t hesitate to give our office a call! You can also learn more about this topic in Dr. Flax’s published book, “A Smile Is Always in Style.”

Did you know that your sleep (or lack thereof) can seriously affect your teeth? Besides feeling groggy and lethargic, below-average sleep duration and quality lead to other, less-obvious or even hidden challenges. No. 1: Clenching leads to tooth damage. When you stop breathing during sleep, your jaws automatically clench as a way of opening up your airway. Clenching can cause the teeth and bone to break down over time. When I see broken teeth in someone’s mouth during an exam, I begin asking questions to see if we’re looking at a problem with sleep apnea or fatigue, which can affect the immune system, the brain, and your mental health. Poor sleep quantity and quality cause your body to lack the refreshment and fatigue reversal that it craves, which affects your immune function, your memory, and your psychological well-being. When you can sleep longer, your body is able to repair itself and that tends to make you less prone to problems, such as gum infections. No. 2: Food cravings lead to weight gain. A body deprived of sleep also craves food. When you get less sleep, your body secretes chemicals (from the pituitary gland) that causes you to feel like you’re hungry. All that extra eating can make you obese, which can lead to other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. These conditions have been linked to periodontitis and could have an effect on your gum disease risk.

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Rediscovering the Smile He Was Born With Patient Spotlight

Our Patients Refer the Best Patients “Flax Dental treats you like a valued friend from arriving to departing their office and in between. Dr Flax found a charm when he hired Chelsea! Awesome experience each and every time! Excellent office, Dr. Flax!” –Betty G.

John’s Flax Dental Story

Imagine being born with one of those “Hollywood-perfect smiles.” John Kwarsick was one of them, but

unfortunately, he had his four front teeth knocked out due to an accident. He was looking to replace a previous “six-unit” bridge, and John didn’t want any dentist — he wanted the best. After all, a six-unit bridge is not a walk in the park. “Think of it as building a very long suspension bridge that must withstand the pressure of chewing, function well, and look good all at the same time,” John shared for our interview. After speaking to 11 different dentists, John felt the only person who was up to the task was Dr. Flax. He wanted him to “recreate the smile that I was born with.” He said, “Dr. Flax has the demeanor of a person you want working on your mouth. He is thorough, meaning he takes his time to understand the history and goals of each patient.”

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

But what impressed John the most was Dr. Flax’s commitment to education and his willingness to invest.

Dr. Flax is an educator and has experience with teaching dentists nationwide. At the same time, he never stops learning; Dr. Flax is deeply invested — mentally and financially — into honing his craft, and it shows. As John puts it, “He continually invests in the best surgical devices to get the best outcome while keeping patient experience and comfort at the forefront of his practice.” Instead of replacing the bridge, John decided to get implants for his six front teeth. With the advent of bio-inert materials and Dr. Flax’s incredible skills, they built a smile that would be “every bit as good” as the teeth with which he was born. “The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. The implants are excellent. I get compliments from strangers all the time.” Working in sales, a great smile makes a great impression — and John’s smile is no exception. “Exceptional dentistry, the kind that Dr. Flax provides, combines art and science,” John explained. “On the one hand, you have to uniquely look at someone’s face and imagine how they will look with a new smile. On the other hand, you are working in a three- dimensional plane, orchestrating the mechanics of how a bite would work, and dealing with the uniqueness of each person’s mouth, health, and medical history. Not many dentists have both the skill set and the capabilities to get remarkable outcomes. Dr. Flax is a rock star!”

This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun- dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! Our recipe makes 2 servings.

Ingredients • 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

Thanks so much for sharing your kind words, John! You’re a rock star patient!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Ste. 430, Atlanta, GA 30342 404-255-9080 www.flaxdental.com

Want a Brighter, More Confident Smile? Don’t Know Where to Start? Send in Your Pictures and Have a Personalized Zoom Call With Dr. Flax With a FREE Virtual Smile Consultation! Visit: www.beautifulsmileforyou.net

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Remember: Whether you have dental insurance benefits remaining, or leftover funds in your flexible spending account (FSA) or health care saving account (HSA), nearly all plans won’t allow you to roll them over to the following year. Schedule an appointment at Flax Dental today.

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The Power of Daily Love

Reduce Your Sodium Intake With These 3 Tips Not Sleeping? That’s Bad for Your Teeth

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How John Found His Smile Again

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

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Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas

Not Another Candlelit Dinner

Get Creative This Valentine’s Day Roses, chocolate, and fancy restaurants are Valentine’s Day staples for a reason. They’re classic and timeless, but if you’ve done them year after year, they could also get a little bit boring. To wow your significant other this Feb. 14, think beyond the most famous ways to celebrate. They’ll probably appreciate a twist — and the time you spent making their day special. Create a relationship scrapbook. Nothing says “I love you” like a gift you’ve made with your own hands. By making a scrapbook of your favorite memories with your partner, you’ll also amaze them with your sensitivity and dedication. A scrapbook can consist of photographs, restaurant menus, movie tickets, wedding invitations, vacation souvenirs, and some carefully chosen words about why you value the relationship. Don’t be afraid to get inventive with your decorations or scour the internet for tips and tricks. Go stargazing. What’s more romantic than staring up at the stars? Your first step will be to find a local spot that’s dark and secluded enough for a good view of the nighttime sky. Once you do, your next course of action will depend on the weather. If it’s temperate, get a picnic blanket and enjoy the outdoors. If it’s cold, stay in the car, turn

off the headlights, and snuggle up. Don’t forget to bring wine and a romantic snack. If all goes well, you might end up watching the sunrise.

Schedule a couples’ spa day. Forget what you think you

know: Spa days are for everyone. Your other half will love the opportunity to experience a massage, sauna, and other assorted treatments. Plus, many spas offer romantic couples’ packages with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Once you’re both sufficiently relaxed and looking your best, you’ll likely feel closer than ever. Some spas also offer overnight stays so you can transition seamlessly into a romantic evening. All of these ideas will take a little bit of planning, so it’s time to start dreaming up your big surprise. When you see their reaction, your only concern will be how to top yourself next year.

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