Flax Dental - January 2022

Flax Dental - January 2022

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January 2022

Exactly one year ago in January 2021’s newsletter, I proclaimed 2021 to be the “Year of Laughter” at Flax Dental, and we started hosting prize contests for your amusing anecdotes related to the month’s theme. It was an awesome move for us — we’ve greatly enjoyed your responses! I want to create an evolved theme for 2022; I say “evolved” because there’s one change I’d like to make as we look forward to next year. Although I’ve talked about the clinical benefits of laughter (yes, scientifically proven), I didn’t talk about the benefits of laughter from the way we may experience it most: our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. It’s funny to think that, while my family is still planning Christmas, the holidays will be behind you by the time you read this. Family reunions, including the holidays, always make me think of smiling and laughing — a lot! Of course, as kids, I used to laugh constantly with my brothers. But now, even as adults, if we start remembering that one thing (among many things) we did as kids that was so stupid and goofy, we start losing our breath from laughing so hard. Even in the worst situations in life, including poor health, laughter can help us overcome them, in more ways than just emotionally. Norman Cousins became revolutionary in this discovery with his book “Anatomy of an Illness,” which chronicled his In LoveWith Laughing Making 2022 the Year of Laughter and Love

incredible recovery from a severe, life-threatening disease called degenerative collagen illness.

He was hospitalized in 1964 with severe pain, high fever, and near-paralysis of the legs, neck, and back. Although this led to tremendous issues with falling asleep, Cousins wrote, “I made the joyous discovery that 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.” He dedicated time to laughing whenever he could, whether it meant persuading nurses to read him the humor columns of the newspaper or rewatching old Marx Brothers movies. His full recovery launched a ton of attention and research into the effects of laughter on the body. Laughter, as it turns out, stimulates your organs, just like Cousins theorized. It enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air and engages your heart, lungs, and muscles, while signaling the brain to release endorphins. That’s why laughter is so great at activating and immediately relieving your stress response, decreasing your heart rate, and lowering your blood pressure. When my wife was battling cancer, I recalled Cousins’ work, and we made sure a hilarious movie or episode of “Seinfeld” was always playing, or we found other ways of laughing. As difficult as that period of time was for us, we found a way to keep laughing no matter what, and we’re proud to say she’s in good health today. For me, personally, nothing makes me belly laugh quicker than the memory of my kids when they were very young. All of their mistakes were so innocent and pure! It was hilarious. Nowadays, they just make fun of me. It can still make me laugh, but c’mon, I don’t get a break anymore! In any case, I think 2022 should be the “Year of Laughter and Love — Just a Little More.” Laughter makes us feel closer and stronger, physically and emotionally. We could all use a little more of that this year.

For this month in January, we want to know: What makes you belly laugh EVERY time? Tell us on Facebook, and you can win a couple’s set of TWO BRAND-NEW Sonicare toothbrushes! By Jan. 10, 2022, submit your answer to our Facebook page today at Facebook.com/FlaxDental.

—Hugh Flax

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3 Things to Include in Your Post-Workout Meal

Carbs Carbs are essential for replenishing your body’s glycogen levels. Glycogen is the fuel that helps keep us moving and active. If you feel exhausted and hungry after a workout, it’s usually your body telling you that your glycogen levels are low. Including carbs such as sweet potatoes, rice, oatmeal,

There’s plenty of emphasis lately on what you should eat before a workout, but not so much about after a workout. What you eat after exercising is just as essential for maximizing your workout’s effectiveness. After intensive exercise, many of us will feel hungry and turn to just about anything to satiate our hunger, but the wrong food could negate the effects of our workouts.

pasta, and chocolate milk in your post-workout meal will help you feel energized and ready to continue with your day.

During your workout, you will use up your body’s carbohydrates and the glucose stored in your muscles. A proper post-workout meal, including the right fluids, is necessary to replenish these nutrients. When preparing the perfect post- workout meal, there are three areas you should focus on.

Fluids You should always drink water while working out and continue to do so after your exercise is complete. Water regulates your body temperature, lubricates your joints, and transports nutrients throughout your body. In one hour of exercise, your body can lose more than a quarter of its water. Continue to drink water or other hydrating drinks after

Protein Including protein in your post-workout meal is important to repair and build muscle. Muscle tissues get broken down during exercise, and protein helps put them back together stronger than before. Eggs, tuna, chicken, and Greek yogurt are great sources of protein and should be implemented into your post-workout meal.

your workout to replenish your missing fluids.

Lastly, avoid having a giant fast-food meal after exercising. There are plenty of options for preparing a truly beneficial post- workout meal, so find what makes you feel your best and what you enjoy most and run with it.

Good News The

Worried About Tooth Loss? Here’s When You Should Consider Implants

Nobody wants unnecessary tooth implants, especially your expert team at Flax Dental. We want you to keep your natural teeth happy and healthy for as long as possible. But there are times when tooth implants can seriously benefit both your oral health and your smile — even your facial structure! Tooth loss makes your jawbone recede — implants can prevent this. When a tooth is lost or extracted from the mouth, the bone of the jaw where the tooth was located can recede. Imagine a tree and its roots being quickly uprooted from the ground — there’s a hole where it used to be. A similar effect applies to your jawbone. To compensate for this, a bone (the graft) can be placed into the area where the tooth is removed to solidify the area, help with healing, and preserve the volume

and density of the bone so that an implant can be placed. That’s why implants should be considered very early in a treatment plan when there’s a risk that a tooth is coming out — because sometimes the implant can be placed at the same time as the extraction. Bone grafts and your tooth implant are both important. Both bone grafting and tooth implants are often key components to your treatment if you’ve experienced tooth loss. At the time a tooth is removed, the amount of remaining bone is monitored because the goal is to preserve as much bone as possible. If there is enough bone when the tooth is removed, or if only a small amount of bone must be added, then often the implant is placed at that time.

a number of reasons, including reducing bone recession and because healing can occur concurrently with the tooth removal. There are two different types of bone grafts: allograft or autograft. Allograft is a graft made of sterilized cadaver bone. The safety of allografts is well documented, and protocols are strictly managed. Autograft is a graft using the patient’s own bone, typically taken from some area of the mouth, usually where your wisdom teeth previously existed, or, rarely, taken from the patient’s hip for major jaw augmentation. Want more information? Don’t hesitate to call our office, or take a look at Dr. Flax’s published book, “A Smile Is Always In Style.” We’d be happy to alleviate any of your questions or concerns about bone grafts, tooth implants, and much more!

In fact, the ideal situation is to place the implant when the tooth is removed, for

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‘He’s an Artist’ Anita’s Flax Transformation Story Patient Spotlight In the late 1990s, Anita’s teeth had worn down, and she knew she needed to find a way to get her smile back, even though she knew it wouldn’t be easy. “I couldn’t stand going to the dentist,” Anita says during our phone interview. “I don’t have anxiety, but I have dental anxiety.”

Our Patients Refer the Best Patients

“Flax Dental is superb. Dr. Flax is great and Faith Holman is the best hygienist ever!” —Timothy S.

Looking back, Anita wasn’t sure how she discovered Flax Dental pre-Internet, but her

research did tell her that Dr. Flax was one of the most trustworthy in her area. She gave him a call, and, after her first appointment, she knew she didn’t want to go anywhere else.

Root Vegetable Buddha Bowls

Thanks to the staff at Flax Dental, Anita felt comfortable. She wasn’t nervous like she normally would be at the

Inspired by SheLikesFood.com

dentist’s office, but that wasn’t all that impressed her about her experience. “He has a great staff,” Anita shared. Especially after being a longtime patient, it was clear to see that Dr. Flax cared a lot about training and maintaining a stellar team. But what impressed Anita the most was the fact that Dr. Flax makes himself available for his patients, especially for dental emergencies, whether a patient understands it to be an emergency or not! Years after getting her veneers, a dog jumped into her and hit her chin, shattering one of her veneers. It occurred close to the weekend, but Dr. Flax met her at his practice so Anita wouldn’t be forced to go to work with a missing tooth. He created a tooth that was the same color and worked perfectly for the short term. She’s even had emergencies the day before Thanksgiving, and still received the treatment she needed! Ever since seeing Dr. Flax, her smile has been forever changed. “It changed the way I smile. It was a wonderful improvement — he’s an artist.” Over the years, it’s given her much more confidence, whether it’s when she’s with people or looking in the mirror. Thanks so much for sharing your story, Anita! See you again soon!

Ingredients • 8 cups root vegetables of your choice, chopped • 2 tsp olive oil • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 2 cups quinoa, cooked • 1/2 cup hummus

• 4 handfuls baby kale • 2 small avocados, sliced • Balsamic glaze • Optional: Garnishes of your choice (lemon juice, fresh herbs, etc.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a large sheet pan, toss root vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly and roast until fork tender, about 40 minutes, stirring and flipping halfway through. 3. In a serving bowl, layer 1/2 cup warm quinoa with 2 cups root vegetables, 2 tbsp hummus, 1 handful of baby kale, and ½ an avocado. Repeat for the three remaining bowls, drizzle with balsamic glaze and any other desired toppings, then serve and enjoy! (If you don’t want individual bowls, you can mix everything together into a salad!)

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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

Inside

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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Be in Love With Laughter.

Include These in Your Post-Workout Meal

Why and When Do I Need Tooth Implants?

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‘He’s an Artist’: Anita’s Story

Root Vegetable Bowls

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Stick to Your Resolutions — For Real, This Time

How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

For Real, This Time

New Year’s Eve has come and gone, and now that the champagne is finished and the decorations are put away, it’s time to buckle down and work on those New Year’s resolutions. The only problem is ... your resolutions for this year and last year are the same. Change is tough, so you’re not alone in being unable to stick to your resolutions. This year can be different, if you want it to be. Here are some tips to keep you on track. Have a specific goal. Many resolutions are vague — along the lines of “exercise more” or “eat healthier.” That’s too ambiguous to inspire motivation, and vagueness leaves room for excuses. Make your goal more concrete, so you can measure your success. Specific goals could include going to the gym three times a week, being able to bench a certain number of pounds, or only indulging in fast food once a month. Make your goal realistic — if it’s too drastic or difficult, it’s easier to give up. Have a plan. Bad habits are hard to break, so change won’t come about naturally. It’s important to consider how you’ll structure your day around your resolution and what obstacles you might face. When will you go to the gym, and what will you do

if that time gets interrupted? How will you plan meals to avoid spontaneous drive- thru visits? Write down what you want to accomplish and all the things that might stand in your way. Then, figure out how you’ll deal with them before they happen.

Start small. On Jan. 1, you’re probably enthusiastic about your resolution and ready to hit the ground running. Not so fast — doing too much too soon is a classic mistake. It’s okay to be excited, but working out until you’re sore all over or constantly eating salads you hate will turn your resolution into a chore that you’ll want to avoid. Start with light workouts or replacing some of your carbs with veggies. Once you get the hang of that, you’ll be ready to scale up slowly. Using these guidelines, you’ll make lasting changes that extend beyond February. Get 2022 started off on the right foot, and next year you’ll be ready to make a whole new resolution — and keep it.

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