Premier Dental - February 2021

Premier Dental - February 2021

PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R

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EDITION 24

Exhilarating and Exhausting Reflecting on My Trip to the Dominican Republic in 2017

VISIT OUR OFFICE AT:

Republic. While it is a gorgeous place, with palm trees and beautiful beaches, we did not have much time to linger and enjoy our surroundings. We had dinner together Thursday evening, and by Friday morning, bright and early, we were transported to the clinic to begin our work. Our clinic opened on a Friday at 8 a.m., and we did not finish until 8 p.m. that evening. This went on until Sunday, and during that time, we saw numerous patients. I personally placed 20 implants during that time! Once our team placed the

One of the most interesting trips I have taken was to the Dominican Republic in March 2017. This trip was not for a vacation. Instead, I participated in a charity event through the Center for Dental Implants — an educational institution out of Florida that was established by Dr. Arun Garg. A few times each year, the center arranges for students and experienced doctors to participate in their charity events in the Dominican Republic. Through a grant from the Dominican government, the center treats people from poor communities who cannot afford dental treatment by enabling them to receive dental implants. My participation in the program took place over a three-day weekend, and it was the most exhilarating AND the most exhausting program that I have ever participated in. There were about 30 participating doctors from all over the U.S. (Two even came from Hawaii!) We arrived Thursday evening at our hotel, the Renaissance at Santo Domingo, which is in the capital of the Dominican

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Dr. Gopal and a colleague work on a patient.

Despite the pace of the work, I found the patients to be very sweet and grateful. They had to sit through long procedures that required surgery, but most of them did not complain. Many had severe dental issues. Some barely had any teeth to chew with and had waited a long time to be eligible for this program. The patients were screened to ensure their medical histories and life circumstances enabled them to get implants. (For example, they would have to commit to continued dental treatment.) All in all, I enjoyed my trip and the chance to help numerous patients, knowing that the implants would restore their ability to chew properly. I also made friends with several doctors from around the U.S. We were all united in one purpose — to help patients. I found the doctors to be compassionate and eager to help others. We all felt good at the end, and after such an intense experience, going our separate ways was difficult. But we carried with us great memories of friends made and time spent doing something for others.

OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT COORDINATOR

MICHELE

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CATHLEEN

HYGIENISTS

CHARLENE JULIA PRACTICE MANAGER

Dr. Gopal poses for a photo with a patient she performed implant surgery on.

implants, the local doctors, whom we worked with, would take over and monitor the patients with continued care. This meant eventually restoring the implants with crowns. Many of the patients were already being treated by the clinic. After our 12-hour clinic day, we would gather for dinner at some very nice local restaurants, but many of us were so exhausted that we just ordered room service and went to sleep.

PETER

–Dr. Hema Gopal

Dr. Gopal stayed at this hotel!

1 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

3 Ways to Get Kids Excited ABOUT BRUSHING THEIR TEETH Good dental hygiene starts at a young age. As parents know, it can be challenging at times to motivate kids to keep their teeth clean. What can you do if your kids simply aren’t interested in brushing, flossing, or rinsing? How can you instill these habits and get the ball rolling? It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! This month, we wanted to spotlight a few ways to get your kids excited (or, at least, motivated) to keep their teeth looking their best. Here are a few ideas to get you and your kids started. Make it a game. A rule of thumb is that you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Most of us, kids included, usually fall short of this. Here’s what you can do: Get a timer and set it for two minutes. Then get your brushes ready and go! Whoever brushes for the full two minutes gets two points. Anyone who stops brushing during that time only gets one point. Then at the end of the week or month, tally up the points. Whoever has the most wins! Kids go head-to-head against one another — or against the grown-ups. Throw in prizes for a little extra fun! Let your kids pick their toothbrushes. Fun toothbrushes are just that — fun! When shopping for a new brush, let the kids pick their own. They can choose from different colors or characters — just as long as it’s a soft-bristled brush. At the same time, let them pick their own toothpaste. This is something that often goes overlooked. Sometimes, mint can be overwhelming for younger kids, so a fruitier or milder flavor is a good way to encourage them to brush better.

Reward good habits. While we may be talking about practicing good oral care habits, this tip really applies to any good habits. They should be encouraged and rewarded. Much like the game, kids get points every time they brush. As they accumulate points, they can cash them in for prizes. Make up a schedule of prizes that they can choose from. Maybe for 10 points, they can get a small reward. If they save up 100 points, they get a much bigger prize. You can also add points for flossing and rinsing — and bonus points for brushing for the full two minutes.

Take Your Home Oral Care to the Next Level

Oral Care Subscription Box The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends changing your toothbrush every 3–4 months or as soon as the bristles start fraying. If that’s hard for you to remember, sign up for one of these three great services that will automatically ship dental products directly to your home. You’ll never go to the store to buy oral care products again! • Quip You buy the base toothbrush kit, then every three months, Quip sends you a new brush head, battery, and anything else you might need, including toothpaste. They even have Bluetooth toothbrushes! To sign up, visit GetQuip.com . • Toothbrush Hub This subscription service allows you to choose which products you want to be shipped to your home and how frequently you want them delivered. Whether you want an old-fashioned manual brush or a new electric toothbrush head sent every three months, you can get it. Either way, Toothbrush Hub helps ensure you’re changing your brush at optimal intervals. Learn more at ToothbrushHub.com . • Boka You can get everything from toothpaste to flossers on this site. Like Quip and Toothbrush Hub, Boka lets you customize your order and find the dental products that are right for your mouth and your budget! Check it out at Boka.com . WITH THESE 3 DENTAL PRODUCTS

Home oral care is more advanced now than ever! New products and services are coming on the market all the time. Here are three you can

use this year to step up your game and impress the dentist on your next visit to the office.

Handheld Water Flosser If you’re not flossing with string floss regularly, this can be a great way to ease into the habit. And for those with limited mobility in their hands or arms, a handheld water flosser is a great substitute for its more cumbersome counterpart. While water flossers are not a perfect alternative to string floss, they will help to clean between your teeth and around your gums and can be a good addition to your daily oral care routine. Bluetooth Toothbrush It may sound weird, but Bluetooth toothbrushes are gaining popularity. This new tooth technology connects to your smartphone to help you track your brushing and improve your technique. If you want to maximize your brushing time and minimize plaque, this is essential.

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Chew on This

Zucchini Noodles With Turkey Bolognese

THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF GUM

You may have heard that chewing sugar-free gum can actually be good for your teeth, but did you know the benefits go beyond freshening your breath and cleaning your teeth? If you choose the right kind, find the right time, and have the right mindset, that little stick of gum can go a long way. Clean Your Teeth As long as it’s sugarless, chewing gum can be good for your teeth. But getting the most out of it is really all about timing. Pop a piece of sugarless gum into your mouth immediately after eating and chew for at least 20 minutes. You’ll help protect your teeth by removing food debris and increasing your saliva flow. More saliva can strengthen your tooth enamel because it has phosphates and calcium. Slim Your Waistline Chewing gum may only burn 11 calories per hour, but if you chew it over the course of a few hours a day, those numbers can add up. Some studies have shown that chewing gum can also help curb food cravings, which may help you make better eating decisions. One study done by the University of Liverpool found that gum chewers ate 36 fewer calories than those who did not chew gum. Again, that might not sound like a lot, but it adds up. Improve Your Memory The act of chewing gum increases blood flow to your brain. This has many positive effects, but an outstanding one is its effect on your memory. In some cases, chewing a stick of gum can lead to a 35% increase in short-term memory. And if you’re struggling to stay awake, some studies suggest that chewing mint gum can help you stay more alert. Fight Your Nausea Sugarless mint or ginger gum can help soothe an upset stomach because those two herbs are natural remedies for nausea. If you suffer from heartburn, chewing gum can also lower the acid levels in your esophagus and help reduce reflux.

Inspired by JustATaste.com

Ingredients

• 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 2 tsp sugar • 3 medium zucchini • Parmesan cheese, for garnish

• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 tbsp garlic, minced • 1/2 cup onions, diced small • 1 lb ground turkey • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Directions

5. Using a spiralizer, mandolin, or vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into noodles. 6. In another large sauté pan over medium-low heat, add remaining olive oil and zucchini noodles, tossing constantly for 2 minutes until slightly wilted. 7. Plate the zucchini noodles, top with the turkey Bolognese, and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

1. In a large sauté pan over medium-low heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil. 2. Add garlic and onions and stir constantly until garlic is golden and onions are translucent. 3. Increase heat to medium and

add ground turkey, break apart, and cook thoroughly.

4. Add crushed tomatoes,

tomato paste, salt, pepper, and sugar. Reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally.

Take a Break

Who knew gum was such a wonder food? The next time you’re craving dessert, reach for a stick of gum instead, and thank yourself later.

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

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Inside

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This Issue

1

Dr. Gopal Looks Back on Her Implant Work in the Dominican Republic Getting Kids Excited About Brushing Their Teeth (Is it Possible?)

2

3 Dental Products Every Home Needs in 2021!

3

Can We Call Gum a Superfood?

Zucchini Noodles With Turkey Bolognese

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Improve Your Day With This Simple Life Hack

THE CALENDAR OF ‘THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO’ A Simple Way to Improve Your Day!

In a post on Facebook, she wrote, “I wanted something for me and my kids to look forward to each day, so I posted a list to my fridge of the days of the week and one fun thing each day. (Like Taco Tuesday, Takeout Thursday, Dance Party Friday, Movie & Popcorn Sunday.)” It’s an idea anyone can easily implement. Create themed days (like game night or park day) or create a schedule of fun things. Write down when the next show or movie you’re interested in will be available to stream. You can do the same for a new book or video game that may be coming out and apply the concept to virtually anything. The important thing is that you write it down on a calendar so you can see it. When you or your family glance at the calendar and see what’s coming up, it elevates your mood and

Many families have faced disappointment in one way or another. Since early last year, countless activities and events have been canceled, and people had to skip many family vacations and get-togethers. Though it is a new year, it’s still going to be a while before normal activities and events will be scheduled, meaning there might not be a whole lot to look forward to, which can be disheartening. So, why not change that and give yourself and your family something to look forward to? A great way to improve your day — or week, month, or even year — is to write down things you’re excited about. In an article on Lifehacker.com, one mom talked about how she improved the overall mood of her family by creating a calendar of things to look forward to every week.

boosts your day. And the more things you’re looking forward to, the better!

Give it a try and get everyone in the family involved. When you need a little extra joy in your life, this is an incredibly simple way to achieve it!

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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

609.298.1124