Lifetime Dental Care - December 2017

Lifetime Dental Care - December 2017

www.eauclairedental.com | (715) 257-4335 LIFETIME PAGES DEC 2017

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This summer went by way too fast. Then fall went by too fast. I find myself hoping the winter goes by just as fast so we can get back around to spring! The Farmer’s Almanac suggests that we’re in store for a mild winter, but what does “mild” really mean? We all have our opinions as to what a mild winter looks like. I hope that I can keep the snow shovel in the garage, but that might be too much to ask. A YEAR GONE BY And Christmas Memories Before the mild winter sets in, I want to take a moment to look back on the year. I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I’m always striving to learning new things, whether it’s something I can apply to my practice or something more personal. This year was no different. The world is filled with so much to learn and, for me, learning is an exhilarating experience. I wasn’t the only one to end the year with a sense of accomplishment. My two daughters did, as well. As I shared in an earlier edition of the newsletter, one of my daughters got married in September. My other daughter moved into a new home. They’ve certainly had some changes in their lives. Speaking of changes, this year, one of our long-time dental hygienists left us for greener pastures. Or, I should say, green forests. Amy and her husband moved to Hayward, Wisconsin, though it may not have been her first choice. She thought about moving up to Alaska, and when you love the great outdoors as much as she does, Alaska is a good choice. But you can’t go wrong with northern Wisconsin, either. While we said goodbye to one member of the team, we welcomed another. We brought on a new dental assistant, who also splits her time at the front desk. She happens to be a millennial and helps keep the rest of the office in touch with our youthful side. In her short time here, she’s learned a lot about TMJ and sleep apnea and has taken a few courses with me. She’s quickly become a valuable part of the Lifetime team.

“The world is filled with so much to learn and, for me, learning is an exhilarating experience.”

As we wrap up the year and go into the holidays, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and

holiday season. It’s a time of giving and making memories. I remember one Christmas as a kid when I got a pair of snow skis. That same year, my dad purchased a fancy console stereo. It was unlike the home stereo equipment of today. This was a piece of furniture, made of wood, and a practically a work of art. I opened my skis from Santa Claus and decided to set them off to the side. Innocently, and without much thought, I placed the skis near my dad’s exquisite piece of furniture. These skis were ready for the slopes. They came with a finely sharpened edge. The skis slid away from where I had set them, right into my dad’s stereo system, cutting a huge gouge in the side. He was not happy. Still, that was a good Christmas. Not all Christmases come with such memories. My dad was a World War II vet and served at the Battle of the Bulge. It was one of the biggest battles of the war, and it took place over Christmas, 1944. My dad talked about how cold it was. He spent that Christmas in a fox hole, away from his family. He sacrificed a lot, but he made it home, as tens of thousands did not. On that note, I want share my thanks with the servicemembers and veterans who have served and sacrificed to keep us safe during the holidays and every other day of the year. Again, I hope you have a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy new year! Here’s to making wonderful holiday memories! –Dr. Anthony Butchert

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IS YOUR CALENDAR CHRONICALLY CRAMMED?

Step 2: Joy Test Do these commitments bring you joy? Are they part of your ideal life? When you look at “Lunch date with Margot” from last week, are you reminded of her unfriendly comments about your waiter and her negative attitude toward your renovation ideas? Consider each commitment and its impact on your joy. Of course, not all commitments will live up to the joy standard. You may not love your annual check-up, but it is important for your health. When you encounter non-negotiable items like these, consider the long-term impact they have on your well-being. Step 3: Discard Put an end to commitments that are not bringing you joy. This might mean having tough conversations with clients or friends. No one said the KonMari Method is easy. Decluttering entails getting rid of items that do not pass the joy test. Step 4: Apply! Follow through. Cancel commitments and long-standing obligations that are not benefiting your life. Have the difficult conversation. Apply the joy test as new commitments come up. By considering each commitment and its impact on your life, you will make room for those that bring you joy. To read more about the KonMari Method, check out Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and its companion book, “Spark Joy.”

In her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo gave us a transformative method for decluttering our homes. Based

on feng shui principles and Kondo’s own study of organization, the KonMari Method has led thousands of devotees to new heights of tidiness. Kondo instructs participants to assess each of their possessions, item by item, category by category, and then dispose of those that do not provide joy. It’s touted as a simple, though not easy, guide to long- term organization.

What would happen if this approach were applied to your calendar? Entrepreneur Christina Wallace calls her 10-month experiment in doing so an “unqualified success.” Most of us could benefit from trimming our jampacked schedules. Those various calendars synced to our phone, each emitting noisy reminders about the upcoming hour’s plans, aren’t exactly harbingers of harmony. Get a jump-start on your organization resolution by applying the KonMari Method to your calendar. Step 1: Assess First, envision the life you want to lead. Next, assess all the items listed on your calendar within a two-month period. Organize each commitment according to categories — social, work-related, doctor’s appointments, etc. Be thorough. Including each commitment, no matter how minor, is the key to this process. Don’t Miss Out! Free Exam, Cavity Detection, & 3-D X-ray *With Insurance: Cleaning, exam and all X-rays are covered. *Without insurance: With a paid cleaning ($88), a complete exam, cavity detection X-rays, and panoramic X-ray are included.

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THE FACTS ABOUT SEDATION DENTISTRY

Going to the dentist is one of the most common sources of anxiety. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans report being afraid of going to the dentist. That’s about 100 million people.

teeth and gums, but to your overall health. Avoiding the dentist due to anxiety can have long-term consequences. This is where sedation dentistry comes in. Many dentists offer one or more of the following forms of sedation dentistry. • Nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous is inhaled through a mask. It helps you feel calm and comforted. At the end of your appointment, the gas quickly wears off, and you feel normal in a matter of minutes, allowing you to drive yourself home after the appointment. • Oral sedation. This is medication you take before your treatment. By the time appointment starts, you feel relaxed with virtually no sign of anxiety. This form of sedation takes longer to wear off, and, as a result, you must bring someone who can drive you home. • IV sedation. This works quickly to bring you into a state of deep relaxation. You stay awake, but time moves quickly and you remember little, if anything, of the procedure. It does take time to wear off, so you will also need someone to drive you home after your appointment.

There are three levels of anxiety.

• Nervousness. A general feeling of anxiety often coupled with shortness of breath and an accelerated heart rate. You may also feel a knot in your stomach. • Fear. A sense of fear often comes from a previous bad experience at the dentist. It’s also related to the fear of losing control and a fear of sudden pain. People who fear the dentist may even put off treatment and checkups. • Phobia. This is extreme anxiety that may include paralyzing dread, feelings of terror or panic, as well as uncontrollable physical or emotional reactions.

If you face any level of anxiety related to a trip to the dentist, there are options to help you. Dental health is critical not only to the health of your

THAI SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH PEANUT SAUCE

HAVE A LAUGH!

Craving pad thai, but anxious about the carbs? Try this lighter version of a classic, delicious dish.

INGREDIENTS

PEANUT SAUCE:

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1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk ¾ cup unsweetened peanut butter ¼ cup coconut sugar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons white vinegar

• • • • • •

1 medium spaghetti squash

Olive oil

Salt

• • • • •

1 garlic clove, minced ¼ cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons crushed peanuts

2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 teaspoons red curry paste DIRECTIONS 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 inspired by Leelalicious.com.

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A Year Gone By 1 2 2 3 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Go KonMari on Your Calendar Our Latest Promo! Facts About Sedation Dentistry Stop Wasting Gift Wrap!

Thai Spaghetti Squash With Peanut Sauce

There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season. Brown Paper Bags With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild. Old Maps and Calendars These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. 3 CREATIVE

Gift Wrap Alternatives

Furoshiki Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps

of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed

at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/ furoshiki-instructional-videos.

You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started!

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