Aberdeen Smiles August 2018

Aberdeen Smiles August 2018

August 2018

Aleaha Fettig, DDS Valerie Drake, DDS

1409 6th Ave. SE #8, Aberdeen, SD 57401 |

www.AberdeenSmiles.com

605-225-2236

|

Back to the Field How We Keep Young Athletes Safe When I think of the back-to-school season, the first thing that comes to mind is school sports. I participated in a lot of different teams throughout the school year, so as summer started to wind down, I looked forward to getting back out onto the court or field. Growing up, I did cross- country, basketball, volleyball, dance, track, and pretty much anything else I could sign up for! As a kid, I was pretty active, a trait that I still possess to this day. For instance, I still play volleyball. It was always my favorite sport, and today I’m part of a rec league. Our next season starts up in October. Sports have always been a big part of my life, and I love to see kids getting active. School sports are a great way to learn teamwork, the value of hard work, sportsmanship, and healthy living. Of course, like any activity, there are some risks. Fortunately, safety equipment is always getting better, and as a dentist, it should be no surprise that I am a big supporter of quality mouthguards. There are three big reasons why kids need to be wearing mouthguards. First, and most obviously, mouthguards protect the teeth from trauma. We run into a lot of kids at the office who have suffered from chipped or broken teeth after things got a little too rough on the field. The good news is that, thanks to great advancements in cosmetic dentistry, it’s entirely possible to repair or replace damaged teeth in a way that looks totally natural. The bad news for young athletes is that we can’t do much in terms of restoration until kids are a lot older. Next, while they look uncomfortable, a good mouthguard can help athletes breathe better! The right kind of mouthguard is able to bring the jaw forward, opening the airway in a way that lets athletes get more oxygen, meaning they have the energy to play a little harder for a little longer. This is one reason why many basketball players in the NBA wear mouthguards.

Last, but perhaps most importantly, the best mouthguards are able to prevent or minimize the severity of a concussion if a player gets hit in the head. This is a big deal when you consider the fact that the Brain Trauma Foundation estimates 3.8 million athletes suffer from a concussion every year. Research published in General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, found that football players who wear boil-and-bite mouthguards are twice as likely to suffer from a concussion than players who wear a customized mouthguard. At the office, we offer customized mouthguards so parents can rest assured knowing their athletes are getting the best possible protection. That said, if you aren’t able to invest in a custom mouthguard, I encourage you to make sure your child is wearing whatever mouthguard they have access to, even a boil- and-bite mouthguard from the sporting goods store. It can make all the difference. Here’s to all the students getting ready to go back to school, and to the athletes getting ready to get back on the field or court. I hope you have a wonderful season and I can’t wait to hear all about it! – Dr. Aleaha Fettig

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3 WAYS TO MENTALLY PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

Outline a Homework Schedule

It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late-night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year. Set an Early Bedtime

Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?” Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses. Ask Your Kids How They Feel Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.

For many kids, summer schedules are flexible.

They may have become accustomed to sleeping

in and staying up late without any

obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take

upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep- wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright- eyed and bushy-tailed?

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

“The doctor and the entire staff provide a wonderful experience. They are all so knowledgeable and caring! Each time we visit, we are made to feel comfortable and like the care is above and beyond! They are the most caring, gentle, and friendly office we have ever visited. We will definitely keep coming back, as they do such a wonderful job. My family loves Aberdeen Smiles!” –Shannon A. “Came in to have my permanent cap put on. A couple days before my appointment, I chipped my front tooth. I asked about having that chip repaired. Dr Valerie fit that repair into her schedule so I wouldn’t have to make another appointment. That meant a lot to me, as I live an hour away! Kudos to Dr. Valerie and her team! Very, very

“Great staff, very friendly. My 6-year-old’s adult tooth was chipped. I made an appointment to see what our options were, and they were able to fix it that day! They talked my 6-year-old through all the steps, which made her less nervous. I will definitely be bringing my other kids here as well. Worth the 80-mile drive.” –Amanda B.

much appreciated!” –Christina B.

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Other studies suggest that gum may also help remineralize teeth, reduce decay and plaque, and prevent or even reverse gingivitis.

SEAL OF APPROVAL

Do 4 out of 5 Dentists Really Recommend Chewing Gum?

How do you know if you are buying sugary candy or cavity-fighting

We’ve all seen the commercials: An attractive spokesperson holds up a pack of gum and happily boasts, “4 out of 5 dentists recommend our brand!” This is surely bogus, right? Everyone knows sugar is bad for your teeth, so why would dentists ever recommend chewing gum? It may be because that particular gum doesn’t actually contain any sugar. Candies like caramels and lollipops are public enemy No. 1 when it comes to tooth health, but many types of chewing gum contain non-cavity-causing sweeteners like aspartame, sorbitol, or mannitol. Because of the absence of sugar, chewing gum can be surprisingly good for your teeth. The act of chewing increases your mouth’s flow of saliva. This may sound a little gross, but saliva helps break down the food you eat, neutralizing the enamel-destroying acid produced by bacteria in plaque. When you chew gum after meals, you actively help combat harmful oral bacteria. Clinical studies have found that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent tooth decay.

super gum? Check the label for the American Dental Association (ADA)

Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal is awarded to companies or products that are able to produce “scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of its product, which the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs carefully evaluates according to objective requirements.” Basically, if companies can prove their product helps your teeth in some way, their product may earn a seal of approval. Chewing gum cannot replace regular brushing and flossing, but it can help protect your teeth between brushings. If you want to see if your favorite gum is helping you prevent cavities, check out the full list of sugarless gums that have been awarded the ADA Seal at MouthHealthy.org/en/ada-seal-products.

Have a Laugh

AND SESAME SALAD Green Bean

Ingredients • 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Inspired by Delicious magazine

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1409 6th Ave. SE #8 Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-225-2236 www.AberdeenSmiles.com

Aleaha Fettig, DDS Valerie Drake, DDS

Inside This Issue

What Was Your Favorite School Sport? Page 1 How to Prepare Your Kids for School Page 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! Page 2 The Truth About Sugar-Free Gum Page 3 Green Bean and Sesame Salad Page 3 Shadow: The Hang-Gliding Service Dog Page 4

MEET SHADOW: The Amazing Hang-Gliding Service Dog

For his entire life, Utah resident Dan McManus has suffered from several mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, night terrors, and severe panic attacks. Over the years, he’s utilized numerous coping mechanisms to stave off the

felt like he wanted to keep me safe,” he says. And when he left the dog at home, he’d often come home to a scratched-up

symptoms, but there are two things that calm him more than anything else: hang gliding across the Utah skies and the companionship of his service animal, an Australian cattle dog named Shadow.

floor and doors. It seemed that Shadow couldn’t bear to be away

from his owner. So, about 12 years ago, McManus had a special harness made for Shadow, enabling the pup to join him while he took to the skies. They’ve been side-by-side on nearly every flight since. Some pet owners might balk at the idea of taking a dog on a hang glider, but it’s clear that, in this case, Shadow definitely wants to fly. Whenever they go out, Shadow wraps his paws around McManus’ arm, remaining stoic as they survey the landscape together from high above. While we all struggle with our own obstacles in life, it’s nice to know that our canine pals will always be there to offer their furry support. As McManus and Shadow demonstrate, it’s a bond that remains strong even hundreds of feet above the ground.

Over the course of 37 years, McManus went from being a hang- gliding hobbyist to an expert instructor in Salt Lake City, going out gliding as often as possible. But it seemed that his passion gave his pup a bit of anxiety of his own. Whenever McManus would take off, Shadow always wanted to chase him. “So I would be out here flying, and he would chase me and jump up at me and sometimes get my foot and hang on a little bit … It

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