Jones Smiles - October 2020

REPORT THE WELLNESS

OCTOBER 2020

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A Dentist’s Guide to Halloween

–Drs. Jones & Copeland I hope the above list and tips are helpful to ensuring your Halloween season is full of treats and hopefully no tricks! If you aren’t already scheduled for your next dental visit with us, you can now book your appointment online at JonesSmiles.com or by calling 770-965-3048. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Halloween! problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early when they are easy to “treat”! DON’T FORGOT TO FLOSS! Most of us do a great job remembering to brush. (Who doesn’t love that minty fresh feeling?) But we sometimes leave flossing out of our daily routines. Floss reaches plaque and food particles that a toothbrush cannot — especially in the areas most likely to develop cavities! DON’T FORGET YOUR DENTAL APPOINTMENTS! Regular dental visits can help prevent STAY AWAY FROM SUGARY BEVERAGES This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. When your teeth come in frequent contact with sugary beverages, you increase your risk of tooth decay. Many of these beverages are also very acidic, which further softens teeth. CHEW GUM WITH THE ADA SEAL Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by bacteria. Sugar-free gum is also an excellent “treat” alternative that actually helps your teeth! (See more on Pg. 3.)

Fall is officially here, and while 2020 has been unpredictable at best, I can say for sure that this Halloween will be like no other. While the greatest questions from years past might be whether we give out healthy snacks or toothbrushes from our door (for the record, we do pass out candy!), now we find ourselves wondering what trick-or- treating will even look like in an era of social distancing. While I don’t know the answer to that, I can promise that this Halloween will be sure to bear treats and sweets. I can also tell you that I’ll be having some myself. To reduce any “dental guilt” you may feel for snacking on a Snickers or munching on a Milky Way, I’ve included a little rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth, as well as a few tips for this Halloween season. CHOCOLATE As far teeth are concerned, chocolate is probably the most smile-friendly treat in your bag. Chocolate is more easily washed away and dissolved from the teeth, and dark chocolate also contains much less sugar than other types of candy. HARD CANDY Hard candies have a high potential for causing cavities due to the tendency to suck on these treats for longer periods of time. This essentially causes a “sugar bath”

teeth. This type of candy is one of the biggest culprits for decay, especially in kids! Try to limit these treats and especially ensure your little ones brush properly if they have a “sweet tooth” for this kind of candy. SOUR CANDY You might want to pass on things that make you pucker — especially the sticky ones that are coated in sugar! Sour candy usually achieves its sour taste by altering the candy’s pH. Some super sour varieties, like Warheads, have a pH in the 1.6–1.8 range. That’s just slightly less acidic than battery acid! Acidic candy begins to soften the enamel, which, paired with their high sugar content, increases the likelihood of cavities or teeth damage. TIMING IS EVERYTHING It is best to eat candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. This is due to the increase in protective saliva production during meals. Saliva helps to neutralize the acids produced by cavity- causing bacteria, and it helps wash away food particles. AVOID SWEET SNACKS Snacking can increase your risk of cavities due to the more frequent exposure to carbohydrates and sugar … especially if you keep snacking from the candy bowl! Instead, look for snacks that are healthy for your body and your teeth, such as fresh fruit, nuts, and even cheese. DRINK MORE WATER Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay, stop dry mouth, and help wash away food particles. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

for your teeth that cavity-causing bacteria can feast on. If you do eat hard candies, try not to suck on them for long periods of time.

STICKY AND GUMMY CANDIES

Aside from the high sugar content, sticky and gummy candies tend to accumulate in the pits and grooves of

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DFDFS

THE BEST FALL SPICES TO BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

It’s the season of fall spices. Pumpkin spice — which is actually a mix of many different seasonal spices — is a favorite, but it’s not the only one we should try this year. Seasonal spices are a fun way to literally spice up your meals, and many of them also have surprising health benefits! Something for Your Heart: Cinnamon Cinnamon can actually help lower your blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for folks with Type 2 diabetes. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website also reports that cinnamon has heart-healthy benefits.

For example, studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus decreasing the risk of developing heart disease. How to add more cinnamon to your diet: Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or plain yogurt for a warming boost of flavor. You’ll also find cinnamon in pumpkin spice, a seasonal favorite. Something for Your Brain: Turmeric Recent research has found that turmeric can reduce inflammation. A compound in turmeric called curcumin has been shown to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. The anti- inflammatory properties of turmeric may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s.

a good dose of turmeric. You can also add turmeric to roasted vegetables or taco seasoning. Something for Your Stomach: Ginger If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale on a plane to calm your upset stomach, then you’ve already experienced the healing properties of ginger. Ginger can be used to treat nausea, including nausea due to motion sickness and pregnancy. Studies show that ginger can also offer relief to cancer patients suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy. How to add more ginger to your diet: There are many baked goods that call for ginger. Your morning coffee or tea could also benefit from a hint of ginger. These are just a few spices that are also superfoods! Do some research to discover the secret benefits of your favorite spices.

How to add more turmeric to your diet: Homemade curries are a great way to get

DENTAL CARE ON DEMAND! We are very pleased to announce that you can now schedule your own cleaning or exam appointments online at any time! To make an appointment with your usual hygienist at the time that best suits you or to find an available appointment ASAP, visit JonesSmiles.com/schedule or click “Schedule Now” from the top of any page on our website.

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DO YOU HAVE DENTAL BENEFITS OR AN HSA? Most dental plan benefits expire at the end of the year. Additionally, with unused dollars not rolling over to the next year, expired benefits are like losing money. For patients with insurance and HSAs, spanning treatment from the end of this year into the beginning of next could provide up to $6,500 in benefits toward your treatment. With high demand and reduced capacity due to COVID-19 protocols , we encourage patients to begin thinking about starting any treatment now, as available appointments will be much more limited in December. Please call or email today, and we would be happy to reserve your spots before time runs out!

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Candy That’s GOOD for Your Teeth

Halloween is fast approaching, and pretty soon there will be candy everywhere. Contrary to popular belief, dentists don’t hate candy — we just prefer our patients to eat only a little at a time and brush their teeth afterward. In fact,

down the enamel, leading to cavities. However, sugar-free chewing gum has the opposite effect.

As the name implies, sugar-free chewing gum lacks sugar, which is what cavity-causing bacteria feed on. This means that sugar- free gum doesn’t create acid on your teeth. Additionally, the physical act of chewing gum increases saliva flow. This may sound gross, but extra saliva is really good

there is even one kind of candy that many dentists recommend because it’s actually good for your teeth: sugar-free chewing gum. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes the fact that chewing gum can help keep your teeth clean and strong. But this doesn’t mean you should let your kids chew an entire pack of Dubble Bubble

for your teeth. It helps clear away food particles and bacteria, thus protecting against dental erosion.

When picking out your gum while in line at the grocery store, look for packs that display the ADA

Seal of Acceptance. This seal is only awarded to chewing gums that have demonstrated that they meet “objective requirements for safety and efficacy, as evaluated by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.” Basically, the ADA Seal means the gum is good for your teeth.

between meals. The ADA notes that only sugar-free gum has cavity-fighting benefits. Chewing gum that contains sugar,

It’s important to keep in mind that chewing gum, even gum that has earned the ADA Seal, cannot replace daily brushing and flossing. However, chewing a piece of sugar-free gum between meals can help keep your teeth clean throughout the day.

like Dubble Bubble, can actually create a layer of dental biofilm and acid, which covers the teeth and breaks

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

BRAIN BREAK!

CLASSIC PUMPKIN SOUP

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

Pumpkins aren’t just for pie — they make delicious soup, too! This fall, try your hand at this healthy soup recipe and warm up with a bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 shallots, diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) • 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 cup canned light coconut milk • 2 tbsp honey • 1/4 tsp sea salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!

Apples Calendula Candy Halloween

Horror Masks Opal Popcorn

Scary Scream

Treat Trick

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A Dentist’s Guide to Halloween PAGE 1 3 Healthy Spices to Try This Fall Dental Care On Demand! PAGE 2 This Candy Keeps Your Teeth Clean Classic Pumpkin Soup PAGE 3 When ‘Star Wars’ Invaded Halloween PAGE 4

THE SPOOKY ‘STAR WARS’ SHORTAGE OF 1977

right after the movie came out. Unfortunately, they didn’t foresee how great the demand for these costumes would be.

Retailers across the country were selling out of “Star Wars” costumes as fast as they came in. Some stores reported selling more “Star Wars” costumes than pumpkins. Kids who got their hands on an authentic Han Solo or C-3PO costume were considered lucky. But kids who arrived at the store to find the costume shelves empty didn’t throw in the towel. Instead, they went and found some brown towels to make their own Chewbacca costumes. In the current age of cosplay, homemade costumes based on movie characters are commonplace, but in 1977, this was uncharted territory. Kids searched for white dresses to be Princess Leia and bathrobes they could cut short to mimic Luke Skywalker. Moms everywhere broke out their sewing machines and created costumes using only action figures for reference. It was grueling work, but it showed how much kids wanted to spend Halloween in a galaxy far, far away. The “Star Wars” costume shortage marked a new era for Halloween — one where making your own costume was just as cool, if not better, than buying it.

A long time ago … in October of 1977 to be exact, Halloween was fast approaching and many parents faced a major dilemma. That year, kids didn’t want to go trick-or-treating dressed as vampires, witches, or ghosts. The classic costumes simply wouldn’t do. That Halloween, almost every child in the United States wanted to dress as their favorite character from the new hit movie, “Star Wars.” Today, you can walk into a Halloween City on Oct. 30 and easily pick up a costume for Rey, Darth Vader, or Princess Leia. But in 1977, less than five months after the release of the first movie in the popular franchise, getting your hands on “Star Wars” merchandise was a bit more difficult. Ben Cooper, a costume company in Brooklyn, had the foresight to license “Star Wars” for costumes

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