Jones Smiles - August 2021

Jones Smiles - August 2021

REPORT THE WELLNESS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

770-965-3048

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www.JonesSmiles.com

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COMING BACK HOME Dr. Conway Returns Home and Joins Our Team

Hi, readers! My name is Dr. Bradley Conway, and I am honored to join the Jones & Copeland Smiles team. Drs. Jones and Copeland have asked me to take over the writing duties this month as a way of introducing myself to the entire practice family!

From there, I attended an internship with the University of Kentucky Oral Surgery department, so we once again packed up and moved across the country to Lexington, Kentucky. I found my passion during that internship. I enjoyed helping people alleviate pain, and through oral surgery, I’ve helped people return to a normal state of function and build their self-confidence. It’s always satisfying. After my internship, our family bounced around from state to state, but we knew we wanted to land back in Georgia. My wife and I had two young daughters by this time, and we wanted them to grow up around our families. As luck would have it, my wife was offered her dream job: an opportunity to teach at her alma mater, Brenau University, an all-women’s college. This allowed us to move back to Georgia, completing two of our family’s dreams. Now that we’re back home, we enjoy seeing all of our family and our children’s grandparents as well. Throughout our journey, our 12-year- old cat, Muffin, has been right by our side, too! And when I’m not working or spending time with the family, I’m working on my cars. I love buying, selling, fixing, and driving cars. My current favorite is my 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. Since joining the Jones & Copeland Smiles team this month, I’ve found a practice that values similar philosophies as me. The team is consistently looking for ways to improve procedures, outcomes, and serving patients, ensuring that everyone receives the best care possible. I’m looking forward to implementing my specialized oral surgery and dentistry skills. I could not ask for a more welcoming team to join, and from the moment I came on board, I felt supported.

One of the reasons I’m so glad to join the team is because I grew up in Flowery Branch. My family and I are excited to be back with our extended family and once again live in Georgia. As you may have inferred, we haven’t called Georgia home in quite some time. Growing up, I always thought I’d become a doctor, and I actually dreamed of being a surgeon. I was the kid who performed surgeries on my sister’s stuffed animals! Yet, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religion from Gainesville State College in 2008 — the same year my wife and I were married — and started my first year of seminary school afterward. But that didn’t feel like quite the right fit. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was actually destined for a medical career, so I left the seminary and began job shadowing. That’s how I came to the conclusion that dentistry was the field for me. I loved the idea of working with my hands, and dentistry’s roots in science enticed me. At the same time, my wife prepared to pursue a doctoral degree in music, so I applied to dental schools across the country, and she applied to schools where I got an interview. That’s how we landed in Arizona. From 2011 to 2015, my wife and I lived in Arizona while both studying for our doctoral degrees.

It sure is good to be back in Flowery Branch. Be sure to say hi next time you’re in the office!

–Dr. Bradley Conway

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IS THIS GOOD FOR ME?

APPS TO HELP YOU MAKE SMART FOOD CHOICES Sometimes going grocery shopping can leave you feeling more like a detective than a human just trying to feed yourself and your family. Sleuthing down the snack aisle brings up questions about whether gluten- free means “good” and whether no added sugars means “nutritious.” saturated fat. While valuable information appears on nutritional labels, they can also leave you more mystified than empowered. In that case, simply open the FoodSwitch app, scan the bar code of the item you’re interested in, and get instant nutritional

information and options for healthier alternatives. Each item gets a Health Star Rating from .5–5, making it easy to understand where the item falls on the health spectrum and how it compares to other brands. If that item doesn’t meet your dietary needs, let FoodSwitch recommend an alternative. In a Snap If you’re already a dedicated Snapchat user and don’t want to add another app to your phone, you’re in luck. Snapchat has recently implemented a scanning technology

powered by the nutrition-tracking app Yuka. While it has similarities to FoodSwitch, the format Snapchat uses lays out the nutritional pros and cons of each item and gives each item an overall rating on the traffic-light system. Green means good to go, yellow means proceed with caution (moderation), and red means reconsider or only eat this item rarely. With these two apps, you can put down your magnifying glass and pick up your smartphone. Making healthier snack choices is right at your fingertips.

The foundation of healthy snacking includes fresh fruits and vegetables, but how can you make smart (or smarter) choices when buying packaged snack foods? New smartphone apps mean the answer is just one bar code away. Switch It Up FoodSwitch is a mobile app developed by an international health advocacy group, The George Institute for Global Health. Even packaged foods that purport to be healthy can have high levels of salt, sugar, and

CONTINUING TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY Enhanced Sterilization Protocols and Controls

Beverages will be served safely only upon request.

Masks will be provided for the safety of all.

There will be additional time between patients for enhanced sterilization.

All patients will be asked COVID-19 screening questions.

Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the office.

All patients AND team members will have their temperature measured upon arrival.

Please reschedule if you have a fever or a sick family member.

Curbside check in from your vehicle is now available.

Medical-grade air filtration is used in all operatories.

Magazines will be temporarily unavailable.

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WHAT’S THAT SMELL? How to Get Fresh Breath!

Happy (maybe belated) National Fresh Breath Day! Unless you’re a dentist or in dental marketing, you may have no idea that this seemingly small, strange holiday even exists, but it does — on Aug. 6, to be exact. It’s wise not to ignore this day, as it can serve as an important reminder to keep your mouth clean, fresh, and balanced. So, what is bad breath? Those noxious fumes wafting from your mouth could be the result of any number of scenarios. Simply eating or drinking something potent, like coffee, garlic, or onions, can produce sulfides, which cause the smell to linger. You could also be eating too many sweets. The bad bacteria in your mouth love to feed on these sugary morsels,

and the plaque buildup could start to stink. Other factors include drinking too much alcohol or smoking and chewing tobacco. Some people may also struggle with chronic halitosis (chronic bad breath). In some serious cases, this could be a symptom of an underlying medical issue, an allergy symptom, or the result of medication. If you’re concerned, let us know. We can help you find the cause! Ew! How do you fix it? As with any dental issue, the best way to prevent and treat smelly breath is to regularly brush and floss your teeth. This removes stuck-on food particles, sugar, and plaque buildup, all of which could be contributing to your bad breath. (Don’t

forget to brush your tongue and replace your toothbrush regularly!)

If you can’t brush your teeth the moment you catch the smell, popping a piece of sugar-free gum or a mint into your mouth could do the trick. Try rinsing with water, drinking more water, or eating mild food, like carrots or bell peppers, to scrub away at your teeth and gums. Treatment for more chronic cases of halitosis could mean changes to your diet and lifestyle choices and potential adjustments to your treatment for serious medical conditions. Before doing this, please consult with dental professionals. We can help you find a solution that fits into your lifestyle and restores the balance of smell in your mouth!

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

BRAIN BREAK!

TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD (YES, REALLY!)

Bon Appétit magazine calls tomato and watermelon “soul mates,” and they’re right! This surprising gourmet salad will be a hit at your next barbecue.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed • 1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/4 cup coconut oil • 4 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• 2 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 8 oz feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • Sea salt, to taste

Directions

BEACH FISHING FRIENDSHIP GARDEN HEAT OUTDOORS

POOL RAINY RHUBARB

1. In a small saucepan, sauté spices and herbs in the coconut oil for 3 minutes over medium heat to create turmeric oil. Take the pan off of the heat, then let it cool. 2. Combine the watermelon, tomatoes, and feta on a large platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with cooled turmeric oil. Now, simply sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!

SARDONYX SCHOOLING VACATION

Inspired by BonAppetit.com

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7330 Spout Springs Road, Suite C15 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 www.JonesSmiles.com 770-965-3048

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Meet Dr. Conway — Our New Dentist With Local Roots PAGE 1 Apps That Help You Snack Smarter Continuing to Keep You Safe and Healthy PAGE 2 Fresh Breath Is Easier Than You Think! Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!) PAGE 3 Nothing to See Here: Mystery Spot Tourism PAGE 4

A History of the Mystery Spot NOTHING TO SEE HERE

The most famous mystery spot is in Santa Cruz, California, but it has cousins in Oregon, West Virginia, and Michigan. Each one is inexplicable — drawing thousands of

— “roadside attractions” of all kinds have been the rage since people began to tour America by car, and it’s pretty clear that, real or not, these mystery spots fall into that category. That’s why many of them have

people every year to come and spend their tourist dollars. And for many, the whole thing is just one big hoax, designed to take in suckers and generate cash. Although Santa Cruz has the most visitors, it was “inspired” by the Oregon Vortex, which was a spot that had odd occurrences “documented” back to the early frontier days. From a mining office sliding off its foundation to the high presence of optical illusions, the Vortex was the home to some odd events. Naturally, the thing to do was build a structure there and start taking people’s money!

updated over the years to suit changing tastes — such as the Michigan St. Ignace Mystery Spot’s addition of zip lines and other attractions. And unlike many other roadside attractions, mystery spots continue to draw attention. Something in the American psyche loves the idea of the paranormal; Google “Europe mystery spots” and you’re likely to discover lists of unique vacation destinations. Perhaps they recapture the “paradise is just over the hill” mystery that in part drove colonization of the American West.

It’s not a coincidence that these locations began to pop up at the same time as the average American got access to automobiles

Or perhaps it’s all a bunch of hooey. The best way to decide, of course, is to visit one of these mystery spots for yourself!

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