Jones Smiles - October 2021

REPORT THE WELLNESS

OCTOBER 2021

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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 creates a “sugar bath” 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 teeth. These are some of the biggest culprits for decay,

especially in kids! Try to limit these treats and ensure your little ones are properly brushing should they have a “sweet tooth” for these kinds 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 that sour taste by altering the pH of the candy. Some of the super

Your Candy Survival Guide

The leaves are on the ground again. It’s FINALLY started to cool off, and if your house is like mine, Halloween treats, candies, and snacks are likely all around. To go on the record officially, I am pro- candy (in moderation, of course!), especially if it’s a Snickers or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. I should also say it is important to limit the time of sugar exposure and help little ones brush well afterward. Below, you’ll find 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 as teeth are concerned, chocolate is probably the most smile-friendly treat in your bag. Chocolate is more easily

sour varieties like Warheads have a pH in the 1.6–1.8 range. That’s just slightly less acidic than battery acid! Acidic candies begin to soften the enamel, and when paired with high sugar contents, the risk of cavities or damage to the teeth is much higher! 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.

washed away and dissolved from the teeth, and dark chocolate also contains much less sugar than other candies.

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Saliva helps to neutralize acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria as well as 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 tooth- and body- healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, and even cheese. Drink More Water. Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay, prevent dry mouth, and assist in washing away food particles. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

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! Don’t Forgot to Floss! Most of us do a great job remembering to brush (who doesn’t love that minty fresh feeling!), but daily flossing is sometimes left out of our routines. Floss reaches plaque and food particles a toothbrush cannot reach — especially in the areas most likely to develop a cavity! Don’t Forget Your Dental Appointments! Regular dental visits can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early, when they are easy to “treat!”

Stay Away From Sugary Beverages. This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased. 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

I hope the above tips are helpful to ensure 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 wish you and your family a happy autumn!

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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THE BENEFITS OF POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS Good for Mind and Health

Better Physical Shape Being in a positive relationship, especially a romantic one, can provide the motivation to be the best version of ourselves. This includes our physical condition, too! Having a friend or workout partner to encourage accountability and even push us out of our comfort zone a bit at the gym can keep us motivated. Being in a positive, healthy, and happy relationship means we listen to each other, offer advice, openly communicate without judgment, practice respect and trust, and engage in healthy activities together. So, it’s no surprise that positive relationships work wonders for our health and happiness.

Connecting with other humans in a positive way is one of the most profound experiences we have. That positivity is one of the greatest virtues — it’s contagious, and engaging in happy relationships with others is extremely important not only for our minds but also for our health. Longer Lives Studies have actually shown that when people are involved in positive relationships, they live longer. This is likely attributed to decreased stress, as stress can exact a toll on the entire body. Positive relationships can also encourage us to give up negative habits such as drinking or smoking, which cause many health problems and concerns. Healthy habits can help people live longer lives. Quicker Healing Positive people in our lives can distract us from pain, remind us to take medication, be our advocates, and simply reduce stress. And less stress means healing

takes place faster. Those who have a support person feel more confident and prepared to undergo surgeries and fight illnesses as well. Boosted Immune Systems It makes sense — people who have less stress have stronger immune systems. During times of high stress, our bodies are more susceptible to illnesses because our immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. The stress hormone corticosteroid can also lower the number of lymphocytes available to fight infection. However, when we are in a happy and loving relationship, our bodies produce oxytocin, and we are less likely to get sick.

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

BRAIN BREAK!

BREAKFAST SWEET POTATOES

Finish the end of sweet potato season strong with this must-try breakfast recipe!

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes • 2 tbsp of your preferred nut butter

• 1 banana, sliced • 2 tsp chia seeds • Cinnamon and salt to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and cover a medium baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. 2. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes and bake on the prepared sheet for 45–60 minutes. 3. Once cooled, split the sweet potatoes down the middle and top with nut butter, banana, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

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Trick or ‘Teeth’: Your Candy Survival Guide PAGE 1

Continuing to Keep You Safe PAGE 2

The Benefits of Positive Relationships

Breakfast Sweet Potatoes PAGE 3

3 Haunted Destinations to Visit This October PAGE 4

3 Haunted Spots Every Ghost Believer Will Love GHOSTS ACROSS AMERICA

Stay a while at Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona. Guests at Hotel Monte Vista have often enjoyed long stays at the downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, hotel, but not everyone leaves. Constructed in 1927, the hotel is host to a number of reported ghosts. The most well-known is an elderly woman who would spend hours rocking in the chair in her room. Today, her chair can be found moving on its own. Another popular visitor is the ghost of a bellboy who knocks on doors and announces that room service has arrived — only, no one’s there.

October is one of the best months for travel in the U.S. With mild temperatures and gorgeous, colorful leaves everywhere, there’s no better time for a cross-country road trip. Add some Halloween flair to your October vacation with these three ghostly attractions.

Visit the most haunted town in the U.S. — Waynesville, Ohio. Sure, New Orleans may have a spooky past, but it doesn’t compare to Waynesville. Many residents and visitors think this Ohio town is rife with ghosts. You may hear cries to “hurry up” at The Hammel House Inn, where many tunnels for the underground railroad came through, or you could see the apparition of a businessman from the 1800s who “never checked out.” Other sources report hauntings at the town’s historical society, Museum at the Friends Home, including a little girl who moves

Is there a monster in Pine Barrens, New Jersey ? This one’s for those who love mysterious

creatures. Pine Barrens is a mass of forested land that spreads across seven counties in New Jersey — and its most famous resident isn’t human. The Jersey Devil has a long, storied history and is said to be a combination of many animals: Its body is shaped like a kangaroo with wings. It has the head of a dog but the face of a horse. The creature is believed to have had a sickly start to life in 1735 and has stayed to haunt the forest’s inhabitants and even those who visit the area today.

toys and sits on the porch. The society leans into the local fascination and hosts regular walking ghost tours and ghost hunting classes.

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