Lake Oconee Dentistry February 2018

The MONTHLY Smile

706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

FEBRUARY 2018

CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY How I Came to Call Lake Oconee Dentistry Home E very Christmas, my mother-in-law puts scratch tickets in both my stocking and my husband’s. Although I would never consider myself lucky, I tend to win a couple maintained good grades through high school and plan to continue their education in Georgia.

dollars from the tickets each year. It’s fun to play the scratch games with my husband, but it is also encouraging to know that the money used to buy scratch tickets funds the Georgia Hope Scholarship, which is awarded to students who

I’ve never been the person to win lottery-based drawings or concert tickets on the radio, so I consider myself on the fence when it comes to the existence of luck. Thinking back on my own experiences, I would say I tend to believe more in opportunity. When something lucky happens to me, it’s typically because I worked for it. One of the best examples of luck meeting opportunity in my life is when Jep and I decided to move to Greensboro. When I was still in dental school in Kentucky, Jep was living in Georgia. At the time, he was overseeing the building of Saint Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital out here in Greensboro, and so, our marriage had

“Thinking back on my own experiences, I would say I tend to believe more in opportunity. When something lucky happens to me, it’s typically because I worked for it.”

to be long distance. We had been talking about where we wanted to settle down once I got a job, and the only thing we knew is that we didn’t want to live in our hometowns. Jep told me he really enjoyed the area surrounding Lake Oconee. He wanted me to come visit and see if I liked it as well. The first time I visited Jep was around Thanksgiving. Even though Jep assured me that I would enjoy myself, I was nervous about seeing the area. When I finally got in, it was midnight and completely dark, so I didn’t see anything initially. The next day, though, Jep took me all around; and I had to admit, it was gorgeous. After that first visit, I knew I wanted to go back.

After multiple visits and conversations with Jep, I decided that I could live and work in Greensboro, so I started to talk more

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What Your Child Can Learn From Baking

You’re admiring your bright smile when you notice you can see more of that tooth than you used to. Wow, it really doesn’t feel good when you touch that spot! It’s painful, really, and very uncomfortable. What the heck? You’ve been brushing, flossing, and practicing the same oral hygiene you’ve known since childhood, and suddenly, your gums, which are usually there to protect your teeth, have moved! If you’ve experienced this phenomenon, you might be suffering from gum recession, and the underlying causes can sneak in even after proper care. The hard part is, some of us don’t have control over it. About 30 percent of people are predisposed to gum recession thanks to genetics. Ouch. The good news is, there are lifestyle changes you can make to protect the precious tissue that covers your teeth. With some work, you can reclaim control of your gum health. When we talk about gum recession, we don't mean that gum tissue disappears. Instead, the tissue pulls away from your tooth. Your gum tissue is there to protect your teeth, and when something’s not quite right in other parts of your mouth, the sensitive tissue draws back. Your daytime habits are a factor in your gum health. Smoking and other tobacco use can lead to a host of dental issues, including gum recession. Misaligned teeth can also force your gums to pull away. If that's the issue, it may be time to consider orthodontic treatment. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’re probably wracking your brain for the perfect recipe to bake for your loved one. There’s nothing wrong with store-bought chocolate, but there’s no topping the personal touch of some homemade baked goods. If you have kids, baking alongside them can be just as rewarding as enjoying the fruits of your labor. As an added bonus, baking is a hands-on opportunity where your child can learn all sorts of important concepts. Here is a short list of some of the educational lessons hiding in your kitchen. Math Baking is a numbers game. Just take a look at any recipe, and you’ll recognize the importance of math in building a beautiful cake. Having children measure out ingredients helps them learn about fractions and ratios. You can also test your kids by doubling or halving a recipe for multiplication and division practice. With older kids, practice unit conversions by asking, for example, how many pints are in half a gallon. Following Directions Not unlike computer science, baking requires a strict order of operations. The wet and dry STOP THE RECESSION!

Sometimes, your nighttime habits are the cause. Clenching and grinding at night — or, in dental terminology, bruxism — puts extra pressure on your jaw and teeth that can lead to gum recession. If you’ve woken up with a headache or your partner has complained about how noisy you are at night, it’s possible you’re grinding or clenching your teeth. If your problem is clenching or grinding, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. The clenching is in response to your body’s struggle to get enough oxygen as you sleep. A simple sleep study might be able to diagnose sleep disruptions, and it may lead you to not only healthier gums, but a better night’s sleep. Depending on the severity of the apnea, you may be a candidate for a special dental appliance, which is an easier and more comfortable alternative to bulky sleep apnea masks. Depending on the severity of recession, there are a range of treatment plans available to you, from an intensive cleaning of the area to more extensive surgical options that a gum specialist, or periodontist, may perform. If gum recession is a concern, please talk with us about it at your next appointment. We'll help assess the cause and talk through your options in order to find the best solution for you. ingredients often need to be mixed separately and then folded together. It only takes one deviation from the instructions for a pastry to go from delicious to disgusting. Spending time in the kitchen, then, is a great way for kids to learn the importance of reading directions carefully and comprehending what they’ve just read. Cultural Understanding Cuisine is a fundamental part of every culture. Introducing your child to dishes from around the world will expand their horizons. Want your child to be a less picky eater? Involving them in the cooking process is the surest way to get them excited about trying new flavors and ingredients. Nutrition Now, you might not think that baking cookies will encourage greater nutritional awareness, but hear us out. Sugar is often buried within packaged foods. When you bake something at home, a child gets to see, firsthand, just how much sugar goes into certain sweets. Meanwhile, cooking savory dishes also allows them to learn what constitutes a balanced, healthy diet.

Why Your Gums Are Pulling Back

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READY TO BOOK YOUR DREAM VACATION?

Adventure Is Waiting

Road Scholar Looking for an adventure that will also quench your thirst for knowledge? For over 40 years, Road Scholar has dedicated itself to creating memorable and educational global travel experiences. Road Scholar crafts vacations that match your interests, group size, and desired activity level. Go on a maritime expedition with your grandchild in Hawaii or enjoy a solo adventure to the ancient ruins of Egypt or Greece. It’s like taking a semester abroad in college, but with fewer essays to write. Start planning your dream vacation at roadscholar.org. Globe Aware Have you ever wanted to travel the world and help make the planet a better place? Then it’s time to consider “voluntourism.” Take the international trip you’ve always wanted by donating your time in a meaningful way. The experts in “aging with attitude” at Senior Planet celebrate Globe Aware for its success in catering to the adventurous and the generous. Learn how you can volunteer with orphans or help clean up coral reefs at globeaware.org.

Are you ready to set out on a grand adventure? Many people spend their entire lives thinking about the exotic locations they want to explore, only to let the opportunity slip through their fingers. Stop dreaming about adventure and make it a reality with these top-of- the-line travel companies.

Grand Circle Travel Established by AARP founder Ethel Andrus, Grand Circle Travel specializes in affordable tour packages that let travelers focus on a true local experience. Your tour can include language lessons, visits to neighborhood schools, and home- hosted meals with local families, all of which allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you’ve been dreaming of a nautical adventure, Grand Circle Travel also boasts an impressive fleet of small ships for ocean sailing and river cruises. Satisfy your wanderlust by visiting gct.com.

There will never be a better time to take the trip you’ve dreamed of for years. Adventure is out there; don’t keep it waiting any longer.

COVER CONTINUED

Sweet and Zesty DETOX SALAD

Ingredients For the Salad:

and more with local residents. Every time I told someone I was going to be a dentist, they raved about Lake Oconee Dentistry, Dr. David, and Dr. Patti. And when I finally met them, I understood why. They were so genuinely nice. Based on conversations I’d had with their patients, I knew they were compassionate and caring people. I decided that if Dr. David and Dr. Patti wanted to hire me, Jep and I would move to Greensboro, and I would start my dental career. Although I wouldn’t consider it just luck that led to my job here at Lake Oconee Dentistry, I do think some of the circumstances surrounding it happened by chance. For instance, in order for Jep and I to even consider Greensboro, he had to get the job in Georgia. If he had never built the hospital, we would have never known such a wonderful area existed. However, once the opportunity was placed in front of us, we worked hard to take advantage of it, and now I’m working at the job of my dreams. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. We look forward to seeing you soon! –Dr. Shel ly

For the Dressing: • 1 large carrot, roughly chopped • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 tablespoon white miso • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 3 cups chopped kale leaves • 2 cups chopped broccoli florets • 2 cups chopped red cabbage • 1 cup matchstick carrots • 1 cup chopped cilantro • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds • 1/3 cup sliced green onions • 1 diced avocado

Instructions 1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.

Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.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

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

Adventure Is Waiting page 3 Whip Up This Winter Salad in a Flash! page 3 Exercise for 2? page 4 Inside

When Chance Meets Opportunity page 1 Cook Your Way to Better Grades page 2 Are Your Gums Pulling Back? page 2

classes anticipate having solo students and arrange for partners to cycle through, so everyone has the opportunity to practice. Of Through Dance

FALL IN LOVE WITH FITNESS

When you get ready to exercise, the last thing you probably think to wear is a bow tie or evening dress. If that’s the case, then it’s

time to broaden your approach to fitness and step out onto the dance floor. The wide world of dance might hold the secret to exercise that you — and your partner — will actually enjoy! Whether you enjoy a romantic waltz, an intimate salsa, or a fun swing, dance promises a full-body workout. Your legs, glutes, back, core, and even arms are engaged when you feel the music. A study from the University of Brighton in England found that dance can burn 600 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the dance, which is as much as running for an hour! In addition to toning your muscles, dancing also improves balance and coordination. Your brain is engaged as you memorize the steps and spins, a health perk you miss when you’re on the treadmill or lifting weights.

course, ballroom dance isn’t your only option for a fun workout. If relying on a partner isn’t your style, there are plenty of other dance genres you can groove to. Consider trying K-pop (Korean pop music), Zumba, hip-hop, ballet, tap, and even belly dancing, if you’re feeling adventurous. With dance, exercise becomes an activity you look forward to. You no longer need to treat exercise as a dreaded chore week after week. Even if you have two left feet, remember that dancing is an acquired skill. With a willingness to learn, over time, you could dance circles around Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Get your groove on today and search for

dance studios in your area, look for lessons at your local community

center, or find instructional videos online and bust a move right in your living room. When it comes to dance, if you’re having fun and moving, you’re doing it right.

Don’t have a partner willing to join you on the dance floor? No problem! Many dance

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