Jones Smiles - September 2018

THE WELLNESS

REPORT

September 2018

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BRUSHING FOR HEART HEALTH

A RECENT STUDY LINKS GUM DISEASE TO HEART PROBLEMS

What if I told you that keeping your teeth clean and having healthy gums benefits your heart? It might change your perspective on flossing. According to a recently published study in Postgraduate Medical Journal, plaque and high-risk bacterial build-up on your gums that can lead to periodontal disease are also associated with cardiovascular disease. It’s a theory that many in the medical and dentistry fields have long suspected and promoted, but now a peer-reviewed BaleDoneen study has strongly supported this idea. It’s important to note that this recent study found an association with the disease — not a direct causation. Essentially, just because you have periodontal disease, it does not mean you will automatically develop heart issues or that proper brushing is required to prevent a heart attack. It just means that people with gum disease are more likely to have cardiac problems versus those who have healthy gums. The study is the first of its kind to identify high-risk bacterial periodontal disease as a contributor to cardiovascular diseases, but research has been finding links for years. A 2016 study that analyzed results compiled by other periodontal studies found that 7,000 people with periodontitis were twice as likely to suffer from heart attacks compared to those with healthy gums. And another American Heart Association report from 2017 highlights a Chinese study that found treating gum disease led to lower blood pressure among patients who were already predisposed to developing high blood pressure.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States, and periodontal disease impacts a majority of adults over 30 years old. So you can essentially kill two birds with one stone by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth. Instead of panic-brushing every hour, there are some easy ways to prevent periodontal disease, leading to a pain-free smile and a lower chance of heart disease. Cleaning twice a day keeps the periodontal disease away. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is an easy way to keep your teeth and gums healthier. Some reports have claimed flossing benefits are bunk science, but other studies disagree. A nine-year study of more than 5,600 adults found that those who never flossed had a 30 percent higher death rate than those who didn’t. Who wants to challenge those odds over something relatively noninvasive? Put on your PJs and brush your teeth. Ever heard of morning breath? When you’re sleeping, your body shuts down nonessential tasks, and producing extra saliva to clean your teeth is one of them. Thus, your teeth get dirtier more rapidly overnight. In another mortality study, death rates among those who never brushed their teeth at night increased by 25 percent versus those who regularly did. Stay up-to-date on dental cleanings. Every three months your teeth should be professionally cleaned, or, if anything, you should follow the schedule your dentist sets up for you. Studies have shown that those who go to the dentist at least twice per year had mortality rates cut in half.

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MAKE LIKE A TREE

The Best Fall-Themed Leaf Crafts

A Craft for Grown-Ups: Clay Leaf Bowls

Summer is over, and when there’s a chill in the air, it’s tempting to stay inside all day. Don’t let your family hibernate in front of a screen for the next six months. Get active with these fun crafts, using the most abundant resource of the season: leaves!

These simple little bowls bring an elegant touch of fall to the indoors and can be used to hold candles, keys — or pretty much anything!

A Craft for Kids: Leaf Critters

Materials • Air-dry clay • Leaves • Clay roller • Clay scissors or craft scalpel • Aluminum foil

With this fun project, the leaves in your backyard transform into works of art featuring your kids’ favorite animals.

Materials • Paper • Glue • Lots of leaves

Directions 1. Roll your clay out to a 1/4-inch thickness and place each leaf, vein side down, onto the clay. Run your roller over the leaf, pressing it into the clay and making your clay thinner at the same time.

Directions 1. This project works best with leaves of different shapes and sizes. Does that big, round leaf look like a

2. Cut the excess clay from around the leaf to produce the desired shape.

squirrel tail? Is there a long, skinny leaf that would be perfect for a butterfly’s body? Let your kids go through the leaves and think of what masterpiece they can create. 2. It helps to arrange all the leaves on a piece of paper first, then glue them down once your child knows how they want to piece their creation together. Cover the whole side of each leaf with glue and press it firmly onto the paper so that it lies flat. Repeat until all the leaves are glued down. Place the critter somewhere safe to dry before hanging it up for all to see.

3. Create a small bowl out of aluminum foil to cradle the clay leaf while it dries into a bowl shape. Remove the tree leaf and let the clay dry overnight. Be sure to flip the clay over at some point so the underside dries too.

4. Once the clay is dry, you can paint your bowls or coat them in a clear varnish to enjoy a minimalist look.

Who says the fun has to end with summer? With a little imagination and a whole lot of leaves, your family can create amazing works of art together!

... Continued from cover Quit smoking. If you can find a way to quit smoking, your teeth will be just one part of your body that will be happier. Gum disease and plaque build-up are among some of the risk factors included in smoking. The Center for Disease Control has great tips and resources to help you get started. I encourage you to share these teeth tips with your family and friends. This information does no good stashed away in research folders, only privy to the hands of medical professionals. It’s meant to be shared with our patients. Whether you haven’t seen the inside of a dental office in decades, or you’re a regular patient, schedule an appointment with Jones Smiles today. Not only can we help you fight off gum disease, but as we’ve recently confirmed, dental appointments are good for the heart. –Dr. Jones

WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING

“The entire staff is amazing! We absolutely love Dr. Jones! And the office atmosphere is the best!” –LISA M. “Shae is a fantastic hygienist! This was my first cleaning with Jones Smiles, and she was gentle and kind. I will be back! Dr. Jones and the entire staff are wonderful! I highly recommend this group.” –LISA P. “I LOVE Jones Smiles. Rachael has been taking care of my teeth for a few years now, and she is always ready to hear about my last six months! Everyone is so kind and always cheerful.”

–CAROLINE V.

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The History of Anesthesia From Coca Leaves to Cocaine

If you are heading into the Jones Smiles office for a filling, crown, extraction, or root canal, your dentist is going to use a special medicine called an anesthetic to numb your mouth. Dr. Jones or Dr. Copeland will place a cotton swab dipped in medicine in your mouth, rubbing it over the area they need to operate on. This medicine is called a local anesthetic, and it numbs the surface of your gums and mouth. This local anesthetic works to make the shot of the stronger anesthetic, known as lidocaine, less painful. Lidocaine plays a vital role in dental offices around the world, but the chemical compound was only discovered approximately 60 years ago. In the past, people utilized other interesting but less popular numbing agents. The first people with knowledge of local anesthetic, as far as historians know, were the inhabitants of Peru. For centuries, they chewed on coca leaves in order to achieve a numbing effect on the mucous membranes in the mouth. It was not until the second half of the 19th century that research into this compound was conducted in Europe. This led to the first eye operation under

local anesthesia in 1884. During this operation, the patient was not given coca leaves — he was given the drug we now know as cocaine! Following this first successful operation, cocaine was often administered as a local anesthetic in Europe. But before long, the disadvantages of using this drug became self-evident. In the early 1940s, Dr. Torsten Gordh, who was the first physician in Sweden to specialize in anesthesiology, found that lidocaine was more effective due to its long-lasting numbing effects compared to other local anesthetics of the time. He found it had a number of other advantages, including rapid onset, a lower risk of adverse effects, and stability when diluted and stored with epinephrine. So now when you come in for your appointment with one of our dentists, you’ll know exactly what they mean when they say they’re going to give you a shot of local anesthetic. If you have questions about the history of numbing agents or any of the anesthetics we use in our office, give us a call at 770-965-3048.

SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES

WORD SEARCH

BRAISED SWISS CHARD

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pound (2 bunches) Swiss chard, trimmed and halved crosswise • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 2 large shallots, peeled and chopped

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped • 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes • 2 teaspoons sugar • Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium. 2. Once heated, add Swiss chard and sprinkle with carrots and shallots. Put canned tomatoes over chard, add sugar, and season with salt and pepper. 3. Add 1/2 cup water, bring to a simmer. 4. Partially cover skillet and cook until liquid is nearly evaporated, about 15–20 minutes. 5. Transfer to a large platter and serve. Inspired by Saveur magazine

Harvest Apple Students Homecoming

Equinox LaborDay Barbecue September

Football Touchdown Quarterback Autumn

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The Connection Between Your Teeth and Heart PAGE1 Fall Fun for the Whole Family What Our Patients Are Saying PAGE2 How We Numb Your Mouth Braised Swiss Chard PAGE3 Have You Heard About Mauritius? PAGE4

A Secret Island of Adventure MARVELOUS MAURITIUS

Just over 1,000 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean lies the small island of Mauritius. The island is often overlooked by the rest of the world. Most people are more likely to have heard of the island’s most famous extinct occupant, the dodo bird, than the island itself. This is shocking when you discover how much fun there is to be had in this tropical wonderland.

island’s layered past. You can visit one of the historical rummeries or explore Mauritius’ two UNESCO World

Heritage Sites. You can also check out Aapravasi Ghat, the Immigration Depot, and Le Mourne Brabant.

Adventure Awaits

Looking for fun in the sun? Start your trip to Mauritius with a hike up the lush Lion Mountain, or take time to snap a photo of the Seven Coloured Earths, where volcanic soil has created sand dunes of seven distinct colors. And what’s a trip to an island without the beach? Beautiful coral reefs surround Mauritius, keeping sharks away from the pristine beaches. Island guests and locals can fearlessly scuba dive around the brilliant reefs, swim with dolphins, kite surf, and find lots of other ways to enjoy the warm ocean waters.

Taste the Memories

A day spent playing on an island is always better with great food. Influenced by its French, Creole, Indian, and Chinese heritage, Mauritius offers a vast menu of delicious dishes to try, from curry to dim sum. And the rich soil and bountiful ocean provide more than enough fresh fruit and seafood to go around. Despite its amazing vacation potential, Mauritius is all but unheard of to people in the United States. This means travelers can find amazing five-star resorts at unbeatable prices! With this in mind, isn’t it time you got to know the island of Mauritius?

Walk Through History

More than a tropical escape, Mauritius is an island full of history and culture, so there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the

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