Premier Dental - June 2021

Premier Dental - June 2021

PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R

EDITION 28

609.298.1124 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM

The beginning of summer always reminds me of summertime when I was 12 years old, growing up in New York. We moved from Kew Gardens to Flushing that year. My parents had just bought a house, and all four of us kids were excited because we were getting our own rooms. It was a typical New York house — old, more vertical than horizontal, close to our neighbors, but with plenty of room. Although the front yard was small, we had a large backyard. And my attic bedroom was the largest in the house with five windows, two closets, and enough room for two — even three — twin beds. We had moved into a neighborhood that was like the United Nations, and most of our neighbors were older and retired. To our left, we had Mr. and Mrs. Kautz, who were Hungarian. Mrs. Parsons, who loved to garden, came next. Then came “the Professor,” Mr. Allarot, a widower who lived by himself. He usually sat in his rocking chair on his front porch and waved or yelled something out as we walked by. To our right, we had Marta and Sebastian, who were Cuban. They were raising Brucie, their grandson, and we could hear Marta yelling at him. He sure was a stubborn 4-year-old. I can still hear it: My Charleston Chew Summer

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Both of my parents worked, so my 14-year-old big brother was left in charge during the few hours we kids were left to our own devices. My father left at 1 p.m., right after lunch, and came home by 11 p.m. My mother left at 8 a.m. and came home by 6 p.m. And without school or any specific agenda, my siblings and I whiled away the time. That first summer seemed magical. I remember days on end of heat, sunshine, and late evening breezes. I remember the smell of flowers and freshly cut grass and barbecue in the air. The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and Queen played on the radio. (I may have dated myself there!)

OFFICE STAFF:

PATIENT COORDINATORS

MICHELE ROBERTA

DENTAL ASSISTANT

“Brucito, I say don’t do that!”

I felt an extraordinary sense of well-being.

CATHLEEN

“No!”

So, what do Charleston Chews have to do with that summer? Everything!

HYGIENISTS

Next to Marta and Sebastian were the Damians, an Italian family with four children, just like us. Only Bobby, the youngest child, was still at home. I can still see Gene Damian, the father, walking the block in the summertime after 5 p.m. With a glass of red wine in his hand, he would sometimes stop to shoot the breeze with my father. Next to the Damians were Joe and Cecelia, also Italian. Joe used his very strong Italian accent to charm the socks off of everyone. And across the street, we had our resident Scotsman, Jack Sheridan, who was also in his 80s and lived alone. Somehow, we felt comforted by the friendliness of the older people on our block. Most of their children and grandchildren were far away and seldom visited. They enjoyed talking to us. Gene Damian would walk down once in a while and ask me, “What are you doing in the house? You need to get out there — it’s summertime!”

CHARLENE JULIA

In that sultry heat, my brothers discovered a candy store down the block. Almost every day, they would go down to that corner candy store, buy some Charleston Chews, and bring them home. We’d sit out on our front porch as we ate that chocolate-covered nougat candy, pulling at it with our teeth. (Never recommended by a dentist!) You couldn’t eat it fast. It was as slow as molasses.

PRACTICE MANAGER

PETER

It was just like our summer: hot, hazy, and slow-moving.

And faced with unfamiliar surroundings and new people, the Charleston Chews were a guilty pleasure that my parents never knew about. Even today, when life gets too fast, I remember that slow Charleston Chew summer, and it brings a smile to my face.

–Dr. Hema Gopal

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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

HOW TO COPE WITH A DENTAL CRISIS ON VACATION Do You Have an Emergency Kit for Your Teeth?

Picture this: After more than a year of waiting, your family has finally embarked on an epic cross-country road trip. You’re jamming out to the music and enjoying all your favorite snacks while you drive. But then, the worst happens! When you bite into a chewy caramel Milk Dud, it yanks the crown right off of your tooth. What would you do in that situation? Would you panic? Call your dentist? Pull in to the first dental office you see? It can be tough to know how to cope with a dental crisis far from home. Luckily, there are some dentist- recommended ways to handle loose crowns, cracked or lost fillings, broken dentures, and more while on the road.

To make sure a dental mishap doesn’t ruin your summer trip, keep these tips and tricks in mind and call your dentist for advice as needed. You can always stop at a gas station or pharmacy for the items you need, but to take your preparations a step further, pack a dental emergency kit.

A Quick Fix-It Guide

To fix ...

• A Loose or Missing Crown: Dab denture glue onto the inside of the crown, maneuver it into the correct position, and bite down to set the glue. Eat gingerly for the rest of your vacation and visit your dentist when you get home. • A Lost Filling: Buy a filling repair kit, filling paste, or dental cement and follow the instructions on your product to fill the gap in your tooth. When you get home, see your dentist. • Broken Dentures: For serious denture breaks, head to a dentist at your vacation spot. If the damage is minor, try fixing it temporarily by using denture glue to put pieces back together; file sharp metal or acrylic edges with a nail file. • A Lost or Chipped Tooth: If you chip a tooth, save the pieces and bring them to your dentist when you get home. For more serious chips or cracks, rinse your mouth out, hold an ice pack to the outside of your cheek, and visit a nearby dentist for help. If you lose a tooth completely, don’t rinse it! Instead, drop the tooth in a cup of milk or water and head to a dentist ASAP. • A Toothache: First, try flossing and brushing your teeth, then wait to see if the pain goes away. If it doesn’t, take a painkiller, and if it persists throughout your vacation, visit your dentist when you get home.

Your Dental Emergency Kit

The kit should include all the items listed in the fixes above, except for milk, which doesn’t pack well! Here’s a quick roundup:

• A filling repair kit

• Denture glue

• A nail file

• A small glass jar or plastic bag for saving tooth pieces

• A cup for saving a lost tooth (Your jar will also work for this!)

• Your pain medication of choice, e.g., Excedrin or ibuprofen

With these necessities in your suitcase, you’ll never be caught unprepared with a dental emergency!

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The Super Benefits of Yoga

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

June 21 is International Yoga Day, which makes it a great time of year to talk about the unique benefits of yoga — the “superfood” of fitness.

As a mixture of exercise and mindfulness, yoga is not only

challenging but also has myriad health benefits.

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

Many people assume yoga is mainly useful for increasing your flexibility. However, it’s also excellent

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

for further developing your strength, mobility, and balance. These can be key benefits for living a healthier lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete or concerned about aging. Kaitlyn Hochart, a yoga instructor from San Diego, California, writes on Healthline, “During yoga, your body goes through a full range and variety of motion that can counteract aches and pains associated with tension or poor postural habits.” Yoga can help you become more aware of these habits, “[allowing] you to fix these imbalances and improve overall athleticism.” Many forms of exercise are useful against depression and cardiovascular disease, but in yoga’s case, you don’t have to break a sweat to start benefiting from its stress-relieving properties. “The breathing exercises you practice during yoga can help lower your heart rate and shift your nervous system into a more relaxed state. It also promotes better sleep and increased focus,” Hochart writes. Multiple studies agree: Yoga can significantly decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In one study, 64 women with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in a 10-week program, performing yoga at least once a week. By the end of the 10 weeks, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all. As with starting any new hobby or regular exercise, it may help to set clear goals for yourself. By doing yoga regularly, there are several physical improvements you can look forward to, such as:

Directions

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki. Take a Break

• Improved range of motion or ease of movement

• A reduction in pain, discomfort, or other symptoms

• An increase in physical strength and endurance

• Less weight fluctuation

• Changes in the way your clothes fit

• Better-quality sleeping habits and increased or stabilized energy levels

One of the best qualities of yoga is that you can be of any age or fitness level. So, pull up a YouTube video, find a soft surface, and give it a try!

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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

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Inside

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This Issue

1

The Slow Charleston Chew Summer in New York

2

How to Cope With a Dental Crisis on Vacation

3

The Super Benefits of Yoga Grilled Chicken Shawarma

4

4 Summer Blockbusters for the Whole Family

DON’T MISS THESE FLICKS! Summer Blockbusters for the Whole Family

Summer is back, and, thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, so are movies! This June and July, a host of family films will hit theaters and streaming services. Here are four to put on your must-watch list. ‘Vivo’ — Friday, June 4 (Theaters) If you loved “Hamilton” and your kids enjoyed the live-action “Mary Poppins,” don’t miss “Vivo”! This film tells the story of a musical Capuchin monkey who makes the journey from Cuba to Miami, Florida, to see his name in lights. It’s all about friendship and adventure and is the first-ever musical from Sony Pictures. It also features original songs from the “Hamilton” writer and star from “Mary Poppins,” Lin-Manuel Miranda.

‘Luca’ — Friday, June 18 (Disney+) “Luca” will transport you to two places: a beach town in Italy and a world where magical sea monsters walk the land! This beautifully animated film tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy with a monstrous secret who just wants to eat gelato and ride scooters with his friends. The heartwarming film is a Disney and Pixar collaboration and will premiere on Disney+ on June 18 without an additional fee for subscribers. ‘Cinderella’ — Friday, July 16 (Theaters) We’ve already had live-action versions of “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” but now, Disney is at it again! The latest live- action version of “Cinderella” is a musical rom-com starring Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, and John Mulaney, among others. ‘Jungle Cruise’ — Friday, July 30 (Theaters) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt will join forces this summer in “Jungle Cruise,” a live-action Disney adventure flick. The movie follows a researcher named Dr. Lily Houghton as she travels down the Amazon river to hunt for a tree that has healing powers. Skipper Frank Wolff is her guide, but before long, things get sketchy and, as Disney puts it, “their fate — and mankind’s — hangs in the balance.” These release dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 and may be delayed or moved to streaming services. If one of the movies sticks out to you, check online for updates!

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609.298.1124

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE