Lake Oconee Dentistry - August 2018

The MONTHLY Smile

706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

AUGUST 2018

WHAT I ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR Celebrating My Best Friends

Do you have a group of friends who know you better than anyone else? Every time you see them again, no matter how much time has passed, you pick up right where you left off. They’re always honest with you, and no matter what you ask, they don’t just tell you what you want to hear — they tell you the truth. Through births, deaths, weddings, and funerals, they are there for you. Those are good friends — best friends. I was lucky to find a group of friends like this in college. In undergrad, at Georgia Southern, we were all part of Alpha Delta Pi and lived in the sorority house together. College is the first time you make your own choices without Mom and Dad around. In many ways, we grew up together. We bonded over being away from home for the first time and sharing new, fun experiences, like going to sorority socials. My friend Hannah was the social chair, so she was in charge of planning and organizing, and I enjoyed helping her. We all got dressed up together, usually according to a theme. There was a luau every year, and a social with the theme “Destination Unknown.” It was a bit of a mystery theme — you didn’t know where you were going until the bus arrived at the destination. One year, we got off the bus to arrive at our social destination — a yacht! Since graduating, even though we don’t see each other as often, we’ve stayed just as close. We’ll often give each other a call just to say hi, and once a year, we take a trip together. We also play

matchmaker sometimes. Hannah actually introduced me to my husband, Jep; he’s her husband’s fraternity brother!

Early on, when it was just us girls, we’d take week-long trips to the beach or another fun spot once a year. We’d pick a location, sleep on air mattresses, and just hang out and enjoy our time together. Now there are too many of us to do that. Some of us are married, some have children, and it’s no longer just us girls (we wouldn’t have it any other way). It doesn’t work out to take a week-long trip anymore, but it doesn’t mean we don’t get together — it just means our trips have changed a bit. As I am writing this, my friends and I are getting ready for an “adults only” weekend in Atlanta to see Jason Aldean. Honestly, it doesn’t matter too much where we go as long as we’re all together. I can’t wait to get together with Amanda, Rachel, Hannah, and Sydney — my people. I like Jason Aldean, but I’m not as excited to see him as I am over seeing my best friends. Since our sorority days, life has brought new adventures. But no matter what new adventures it brings, we make time for each other. The memories I’ve made with these girls are probably some of the best of my life, and we’re still making them. It’s not about what we do, or where we are — it’s just about spending time together.

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DO 4 OUT OF 5 DENTISTS REALLY RECOMMEND CHEWING GUM? Seal of Approval

We’ve all seen the commercials: An attractive spokesperson holds up a pack of gum and happily boasts, “4 out of 5 dentists recommend our brand!” This is surely bogus, right? Everyone knows sugar is bad for your teeth, so why would dentists ever recommend chewing gum? It may be because that particular gum doesn’t actually contain any sugar.

prevent tooth decay. Other studies suggest that gum may also help remineralize teeth, reduce decay and plaque, and prevent or even reverse gingivitis.

How do you know if you are buying sugary candy or cavity-fighting super gum? Check the label for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal is awarded to companies or products that are able to produce “scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety

Candies like caramels and lollipops are public enemy No. 1 when it comes to tooth health, but many types of chewing gum contain non- cavity-causing sweeteners like aspartame,

sorbitol, or mannitol. Because of the absence of sugar, chewing gum can be surprisingly good for your teeth.

and efficacy of its product, which the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs carefully evaluates according to objective requirements.” Basically, if companies can prove their product helps your teeth in some way, their product may earn a seal of approval. Chewing gum cannot replace regular brushing and flossing, but it can help protect your teeth between brushings. If you want to see if your favorite gum is helping you prevent cavities, check out the full list of sugarless gums that have been awarded the ADA Seal at MouthHealthy.org/en/ada-seal-products.

The act of chewing increases your mouth’s flow of saliva. This may sound a little gross, but saliva helps break down the food you eat, neutralizing the enamel-destroying acid produced by bacteria in plaque. When you chew gum after meals, you actively help combat harmful oral bacteria. Clinical studies have found that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help

GAME NIGHT GOES (REALLY) RETRO

The Oldest Games You Can Play Today

BACKGAMMON A blend of luck and strategy, backgammon originated in the Middle East around 5,000 years ago. Possibly an evolution of the ancient Mesopotamian game, the Royal Game of Ur, backgammon has players take turns rolling the dice to move their pieces off the board while trying to outsmart their opponent. Backgammon grew in popularity, spreading from the Middle East to the rest of the ancient world, and is still played by many today. GO Originating in China around the 5th century B.C., Go — or “weiqi,” as it’s called in China — focuses on the virtues of balance, discipline, and focus. Two players go head-to-head, placing their pieces on the board to claim as much territory as possible while simultaneously capturing their opponent’s pieces. Go is likely the oldest board game still being played today, with an estimated 40 million players worldwide. Though the rules are simple, the strategies take a lifetime to master. These are a just a few games that people have been playing around the world for centuries. If you’re ready to add something new to family game night, try something old instead!

People love to play games. When you play Angry Birds while waiting in line at the grocery store, you are actually participating in a long history of gaming that dates back to the earliest civilizations. Through the discovery of ancient game boards, archaeologists learned that the ancient Egyptians played a game called Senet in 3500 B.C. The rules were lost to time, but fortunately, there are plenty of other ancient games we still have the rules for! SNAKES AND LADDERS Sometime during the 2nd century A.D., people in India started playing a board game associated with aspects of traditional Hindu philosophy — namely, the contrast between karma (destiny) and kama (desire). A dice was rolled to navigate a game board where good virtues, represented by ladders, allowed players to move up on the board, and evil vices, represented by snakes, would drag pieces back down. The phrase “Back to square one” is believed to have originated from this game. Snakes and Ladders made its way to England before being brought over to the United States, where it was introduced as “Chutes and Ladders” by none other than Milton Bradley in 1943.

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How to Achieve a More Restful Night’s Sleep

SLEEP BETTER AND FEEL GREAT

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. WAKE UP NATURALLY. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. KICK THE SCREEN HABIT. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from

these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time.

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Green Bean SESAME SALAD

If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu.

Ingredients • 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste

Lifelong friendships like these are one of the true treasures of life. In honor of Best Friends’ Day this month (August 15), take a moment and reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. I bet they’ll be happy to hear from you.

Instructions 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

–Dr. Shel ley

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

We’re located at 1011 Parkside Main between the Publix parking lot and the movie theater.

Sleep Better and Feel Great page 3 Green Bean and Sesame Salad page 3 Ordinary Things That Are Bad for You page 4 Inside

Celebrating Best Friend’s Day page 1

The Truth About Sugar-Free Gum page 2 Have You Played the Oldest Games in the World? page 2

COMMON HEALTH RISKS

Daily Activities That Cause Health Problems

LARGE HANDBAGS Large handbags allow you to carry many items at once, but they can also pose a hazard to your health. According to Dr. Sabrina Strickland, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, your body counters the weight of a heavy bag hanging from your shoulder by lifting your shoulder or leaning to the side, which curves your spine. This can cause muscle pain in the shoulders, neck, and back, along with joint strain. Decreasing the size of the bag you’re carrying and the weight of your items are great ways to counter this. SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING This has been a common new health statement to come out of many medical centers. Sitting daily for long periods of time has been proven to increase health risks, like cardiovascular disease. One of the best methods to counter the effects of sitting is to take regular breaks. Every 30 minutes spent sitting should be coupled with five minutes of physical activity, such as a brisk walk. Even taking a few minutes to stand and stretch is better than sitting still for hours on end. Don’t let these everyday activities stress your body out too much. Finding that perfect balance can be tough, but the results will pay for themselves!

Even if you make a point to exercise every day and watch your diet, you can still face health risks you may not be aware of. Common daily activities can cause more harm than you’d think.

SKINNY JEANS Though stylish, skinny jeans can create more problems than they’re worth. They can cause muscle damage and blood restriction when worn

regularly for long periods of time. In fact, wearing any tightly fitted article of clothing frequently can lead to the same effects. To avoid these issues, don’t wear tight clothes for long periods of time and refrain from exercising in them.

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