Lake Oconee Dentistry - December 2017

December 2017

706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

THE GIFT OF GIVING Last year was Eva’s first Christmas, though at 5 months old, she couldn’t understand much. Now that she’s walking and talking, I’m so excited to share the magic of the holiday with her. In years past, Jep and I would travel to be with family. This year, we’re staying home to give Eva that experience of waking up on LessonsPassedFromMother toDaughter Christmas morning. Of course, I can’t wait to see her face light up when she looks underneath the tree! But as much fun as it will be to watch her find out about Santa Claus, what I really look forward to is my daughter discovering the joy of giving. When I was a little girl, my mom would take me out to buy presents for children in need. We’d sign up through a local charity to adopt a struggling family for the holidays. Starting in the third grade, I helped pick out gifts and clothes, and gave my mom an idea of what someone my age would want. At first, it was just fun for me: running down aisles and picking out toys. As time went on, I

came to understand the significance of what we were doing. There were kids my age who didn’t have as much as I did, who didn’t always get presents on Christmas or have anything nice to wear. My mom had shown me a path to making those children’s lives a little brighter. Amazingly, Jep’s mother gave him the same experience growing up. Every year, they would hand-deliver gifts and meals to needy families across town. In the nine years we’ve been together, Jep and I have continued the tradition

“But as much fun as it will be to watch her find out about Santa Claus, what I really look forward to is my daughter discovering the joy of giving.”

of giving that our mothers passed down. We sign up for the Builders Association’s toy drive, run in association with the Department of Children and Family Services here in Lake Oconee. Shopping for those kids gets me so excited. It’s my favorite part of the holidays. I’ve been known to go a little overboard. I wish I could buy presents for all the kids myself, but we usually end up settling on four or five. We always spend way over the recommended amount on clothes. Last year, I bought a little girl the cutest pair of hot pink boots. I wish I could

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InCase of Emergency: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GO BAG Natural disasters happen all the time. From hurricanes and tornadoes to wildfires and earthquakes, our homes are never entirely safe from potential hazards. While natural disasters aren’t an everyday worry — and the 2017 hurricane and fire season is finally behind us — nothing is better than being prepared. You need a go bag! most or all of the essentials. You may want to include baby wipes and a multi-tool in the kit, as well. Medications When it comes to go bags, medications can be tricky, but they are necessary. Include a supply of any medications you take (anywhere from a week’s to a month’s supply) and be sure to rotate them out on a regular basis. This ensures that any prescription medications are up-to-date and that there is no risk of potential expirations.

A go bag is something you can keep by the door in case of any kind of emergency. With essentials at the ready, you eliminate the possibility of a last-minute scramble. Here are the most critical items to include. Batteries and Flashlights Not only do you want a selection of standard batteries for your devices, but you also want portable lithium-ion batteries to charge your cellphones and other mobile devices. Additionally, after you’ve packed these items, be sure to check them every three months. You want to ensure they are functioning and at full capacity so you can rely on them if the time comes. First-Aid Kit You can find well-stocked first-aid kits online (including on Amazon.com) that are packed to the brim with

Documentation Make a photocopy of any and all critical documents you have and store the copies in a watertight container (such as a freezer bag) in the go bag. Include your birth certificate, driver’s license, and Social Security card. You may also want to include a copy of any Medicare cards, insurance information, your will (along with any powers of attorney), and some proof of address. Some people even include marriage, adoption, and naturalization certificates. Cash Store enough small bills to get yourself through five to seven days. On top of the small bills, coins are just as important, particularly quarters.

DEALINGWITH STRESS LearnHealthyCopingMechanismsThatPutYou inControl

Avoid people or situations that stress you out. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and learn to forgive. Make Time for Relaxation Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for self-care, you will be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Give yourself options like going for a walk, calling a good friend, journaling, or reading a book. Live a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.

You have more control over stress than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control. Identify Sources Chronic stress is hard to recognize. Look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it. Find Healthy Strategies Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol, procrastinating, and sleeping too much are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find unique, healthy coping strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reactions by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt, or accept.

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Do you know when most dental emergencies happen? Here's a hint: “Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus.” That’s right — holiday season. Why is this? Well, the abundance of hard candy and popcorn between October and January wreaks havoc on your teeth. Often, when a broken tooth reaches emergency status, it’s actually already cracked. At that point, all it takes is a piece of hard food for it to reach breaking point. Fortunately, there are simple ways to improve your tooth health and prevent cracks during the holiday season. First, stop overindulging in sugary foods! Sugar breaks down your enamel, so the more you eat, the weaker your teeth become. Plaque builds up in your mouth whenever you consume food. The bacteria that make up plaque love sugar, and when they consume it, they produce a certain type of acid. This acid wears away healthy tooth enamel and eventually breaks down teeth. Even worse, if you already have a crack (even one you can’t see or feel), sticky, sugary foods will further irritate the area. And though it might seem like a healthy alternative, dried fruit is on this list of culprits — its dense sugars easily cling to your teeth. ThatLe d toBrokenTeeth HARMFUL HABITS have seen the look on her face when she got them. Unfortunately, we can’t deliver the toys ourselves — they have to be dropped off with DCFS officials. Last year we showed up with all our gifts packed into giant red sacks, just like Santa’s! Picking out toys is the real challenge. Jep and I are totally out of the loop on what kids like these days! In the past, we’ve stopped random kids at Target to ask them what the coolest toys were. As Eva gets older, I’m sure she’ll keep us abreast on the latest trends. This year will be Eva’s first time helping us. Buying things for people she’s never met might be hard for her to understand at first. As she grows, I hope she comes to realize that, at the end of the day, our family doesn't need much. I hope I’m able to teach her what my mother taught me, all those Christmases ago: giving is the most rewarding experience there is. –Dr. Shel ly COVER CONTINUED

To combat this, make small changes to lower your sugar intake. Replace your daily soda with a cup of tea or sparkling water. Another beneficial change is switching from dried fruits to fresh ones. Sugar aside, you may have another addiction that harms your teeth. Are you a serial fingernail or ice chewer? Both can lead to cracked and broken teeth. If you aren’t looking to drop a vacation’s worth of dough on your dental visits, consider quitting — and quick. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that habitual nail biters will spend up to $4,000 more in dental bills over their lifetime. Carry a pack of baby carrots to munch when you’re tempted to reach for your fingernails. You can also place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you reach for a nail to nibble. Each painful snap can serve as a reminder to stop your destructive habit. Talk with your dentist about other ways to strengthen your teeth and prevent breakage. After all, you want to spend your holidays in the easy chair, not the dentist’s! THAI SPAGHETTI SQUASH With Peanut Sauce Craving pad thai but anxious about the carbs? Try this lighter version of a classic, delicious dish. Finding a replacement routine for detrimental chewing habits is key to kicking the habit for good.

Ingredients • 1 medium spaghetti squash • Olive oil • Salt • 1 garlic clove, minced • cup chopped parsley • 2 tablespoons crushed peanuts

Peanut sauce: • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk • ¾ cup unsweetened peanut butter • cup coconut sugar • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • 2 tablespoons white vinegar • 2 teaspoons sesame oil • 2 teaspoons red curry paste

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Halve squash and scoop out seeds. 2. Drizzle inside of squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place squash on baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes. 3. Let cool. Using a fork, scrape out spaghetti squash strands. 4. Place sauce ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. 5. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, and 1/4 of the peanut sauce and combine. 6. Add spaghetti squash and crushed peanuts. Stir to combine until heated through, about 2 minutes. Once served, drizzle with more peanut sauce.

Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.

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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

Hours

Monday Tuesday

8am-5pm 7am-5pm 8am-5pm 8am-5pm 8am-5pm

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

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

2 Harmful Habits That Lead to Broken Teeth page 3 Thai Spaghetti Squash With Peanut Sauce page 3

Discovering the Joy of Giving page 1

Why You Need a Go Bag page 2

The Evolution of a Christmas Icon page 4

Dealing With Stress page 2

Santa Claus wasn’t always a husky, omniscient gift-giver who circumnavigates the world once a year, propelled by flying caribou and backed by an army of friendly elves. Though the historical St. Nicholas had many of the same generous tendencies as our contemporary “King in the North,” he lacked a high-tech sleigh that could exceed the speed of light. To be exact, St. Nicholas was a renowned Bishop of Myra — an old Roman town near modern-day Demre, Turkey — way back around A.D. 300. Even before he became the bishop, St. Nicholas was known for his generosity. The most famous tale of his charity involved a poor man who could not afford a proper dowry to marry off his three daughters. In those days, this generally meant the daughters would remain unmarried, making it likely that they’d fall into prostitution. Wanting to help, but also wanting to spare the family embarrassment, St. Nicholas traveled to the house at night and threw three purses packed with gold coins through the window. After his death, St. Nicholas became a beloved patron saint, but during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th THE ORIGIN ofSantaClaus

century, the respect that many Catholic saints received diminished, and his popularity dwindled across Europe. One area where he remained popular was the Netherlands. There, he lived on as “Sinterklaas,” a mythical figure who went house to house on the eve of St. Nicholas’s nameday, December 5, leaving treats and gifts for children. Sinterklaas traditionally wore red bishop’s clothes and employed elves, and he traveled with horses that could walk across rooftops. When the Dutch emigrated in droves to America during the 17th and 18th centuries, they brought this kindly icon to the new colonies. Over time, notably through Clement Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and a famous 1930s depiction by Coca-Cola ad illustrator Haddon Sundblom, Santa evolved into the figure we see today.

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