Anderson Dental Care - October 2021

Anderson Dental Care - October 2021

BRUSH - UP

ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.

7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-438-8152 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | OCTOBER 2021

COSTUMES AND PIZZA - OUR BELOVED HALLOWEEN TRADITION

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Halloween is kind of a big deal at our house. Before my wife and I had kids, we’d match our costumes every year and participate in our church’s trunk-or-treat. One time, we were Hawaiian tourists — I wore a Hawaiian shirt with a little extra stuffing inside, a plastic visor, and my wife used makeup to create a “sunburn” above the visor and up to my hairline. She wore a Hawaiian shirt, a lei, and sunscreen on her nose. We even had Hawaiian music playing from our car, and we passed out some sort of tropical treat. We’ve used Halloween to announce 3 of our 5 pregnancies. The first one involved a pumpkin carving of a stork carrying a baby and another pumpkin carved with “May 2012.” The second time, we dressed as “Cat in the Hat” characters: I was the Cat in the Hat, our daughter Lydia was Thing 1, and my wife dressed as Thing 2 but put the “Thing 2” sign on her belly. The third time, Lydia wanted to be a pirate, so we made Eliza her parrot (Eliza was young enough to happily oblige), then my wife and I were a ship, wearing black clothes and each holding one end of a giant felt ship. Our announcement was something along the lines of “Adding another little Brooks to our crew.” It was awesome, and we kept up the themed costumes tradition as our family grew. But Halloween isn’t just a big deal because we plan our family costumes well in advance — it’s also because of pizza. Our pizza tradition started because, one day, we ran out of time to make our matching family costumes work. We were doing a Wild West theme — I was the town sheriff, my wife was a saloon girl, and our 6-month-old

daughter, Lydia, was an outlaw named “Leaky Bum Lydia.” (Yes, she earned that name!)

After a little frustration with our costumes and on a time crunch, we grabbed a pizza for dinner, and the place we got it from had Halloween pizzas that included pumpkin-shaped crust, cheddar cheese, and a pepperoni jack-o’-lantern face. Over the years, we’ve had a few more last-minute costume issues and “Hurry! Trick-or-treaters are already coming!” moments, so we just keep eating pizza on Halloween. It’s just so delicious and easy to make festive! But now we whip it up homemade, and it’s even better. We love to trick- or-treat, then come home to our pizza and eat it while watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” I highly recommend this tradition! What other family-themed costumes have we done? One year, we had all different monsters; another year, we were a circus with characters like the bearded lady, strong man, a monkey, a lion, and a tightrope walker; we were “Trolls” characters when the first movie was the only one our kids ever wanted to watch (we even got my brother-in-law in on it that year, and he was Guy Diamond!); another year we were all the “Charlie Brown” characters (I was assigned Pig-Pen, ha!). But my favorite costume we’ve ever done was just last year. Unfortunately, nobody got to see our costumes because a family member was sick, and we weren’t sure if it was COVID-19 at the time (it wasn’t). We were the original Scooby-Doo gang with me as Shaggy, two daughters as Velma and Daphne, my oldest son as Freddy, my youngest son as Scooby, and our then-3-week-old as a Scooby Snack. My wife was a mummy. The kids really appreciated the pun. Halloween is full of fun and meaningful memories for me, whether it’s finding new ways to enjoy pizza or doing creative costume-related activities with our family. It kicks off the holidays, traditions, and fall, and it’s just a really fun way to connect as a family. So, send us your themed- costume ideas because as the kids get older and more opinionated, that is definitely getting trickier. But we all still agree on pizza for our Halloween dinner!

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BEGONE, BAD BACTERIA

Fall brings apple cider, pumpkin patches, fun seasonal outfits, and corn mazes. Unless you are visiting a “haunted” corn maze, you and your family probably won’t be chased by a chainsaw-wielding serial killer while you try to navigate through. However, safety risks are still present. Here are five safety tips to keep the fun coming during your next corn maze experience. FOLLOW THE RULES. At the entrance to each corn maze, there should be a sign stating the rules for visitors. For the safety of yourself, your children, and others, be sure to read each rule and follow along. Always accompany your kids in the corn maze — it is a maze, after all! WATCH FOR TRIPPING AND FIRE HAZARDS. Keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles on the path, including holes, bumps, ruts, and corn stalks. While navigating a maze, it can be easy to forget to look down while searching for the exit. To prevent fires, you should also avoid smoking and never use matches or lighters. WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR. Ensure that you and your family all have proper footwear, preferably closed-toed shoes, while exploring the maze. You never know what kind of critters or potentially harmful hazards may appear in your path. EAT BEFOREHAND AND STAY HYDRATED. Be sure to eat before setting out into the maze and don’t bring any glass bottles with you, as it can be dangerous if broken. Furthermore, do not consume alcohol before or while enjoying your time at the corn maze. BE PREPARED. Accidents can happen, usually at the most unexpected times! It is important to always have a first-aid kit handy. Be sure to call 911 in an emergency and let staff know what is going on. FUN FOR ALL THIS FALL 5 Corn Maze Safety Tips

HOW BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH AFFECT YOUR ENTIRE BODILY HEALTH

Did you know that bacteria living in your mouth are directly linked to your overall health?

You already know that both good and bad bacteria exist in your body. They live on your skin, in your stomach, and, of course, in your mouth! Bacteria make up almost three pounds of your total weight. (Gross, but pretty cool, right?) Your mouth has its very own ZIP code of bacteria. This little community of bacteria (around six billion), is called your oral microbiome, similar to the microbiome in your gut. In your oral microbiome, there are good bacteria that break down your food, fight bad breath, and combat oral disease. These good bacteria are your body’s protective knights in shining armor, and you want to protect them so they can do their job.

To do this, you need to keep the harmful bacteria from moving into your mouth, reproducing, and causing problems.

How do you fight bacteria? You brush your teeth!

Every time you eat, it’s like an Amazon Fresh order being delivered to the door of your oral microbiome. Any leftover food in your mouth creates a buffet of feasting options for the bacteria that live there! And unfortunately, like most of us, bacteria love sugar and carbs. When those bacteria have a ready supply of starchy food, they multiply like crazy and leave behind a mess — AKA, plaque. Very simply, plaque is a sticky area on your teeth where bacteria can comfortably live and hang out. If plaque stays too long, it can cause damage. When your teeth feel slimy or furry, bacteria are starting to create a sticky housing situation that will begin to destroy your teeth and gums.

Brushing your teeth won’t just kill bacteria; it will add years to your life.

Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and your oral health can directly impact your overall health. As harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream through your infected gums, they can travel to organs like your brain and heart. Certain species of oral bacteria are linked to preterm labor, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and various types of cancer. So long as you maintain your oral hygiene and get your teeth cleaned twice a year, you can destroy your bacteria’s housing and food supply, banishing them from your mouth!

As long as safety is the top priority this fall, fun will be had by all!

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5 FOODS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

AND HELP MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SMILE

CELERY Though it doesn’t contain any nutrients that will specifically benefit your teeth, chewing celery can actually clean your teeth and massage your gums, all while helping your mouth produce more saliva that neutralizes bacteria. STRAWBERRIES While these tasty red berries are highly acidic, they’re still good for your teeth and gums because they contain malic acid, a natural whitening agent for your enamel. Eating strawberries regularly can actually help you keep your teeth free of stains! SALMON This fish is packed with both vitamin D and calcium, which help keep your teeth strong and

The best “secret” to continued dental health is to do what your dentist recommends every time you have a checkup: Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and don’t eat too many sugary foods. However, if you want to give your dental health an extra edge without adding steps to your routine, you can actually improve your dental health while you eat. All you need to do is incorporate some of the following foods into your diet! CHEESE Like many dairy products, cheese is full of calcium and phosphate, which strengthen teeth and bones. At the same time, it can balance the pH level in your mouth, neutralizing harmful acids and preventing cavities and tooth decay.

healthy. Vitamin D enables your body to more effectively absorb calcium, while calcium itself helps you maintain healthy teeth and gums. CARROTS You can get many of the same benefits of brushing your teeth from eating carrots — but that doesn’t mean you should eat carrots in place of brushing your teeth! Like celery, chewing carrots massages your gums. Plus, they’re rich in keratin, which fights plaque, and vitamin A, which strengthens tooth enamel. By eating some of these foods (or all of them!), along with brushing and flossing regularly, you can ensure that your smile stays fresh and healthy for years to come!

SLOW COOKER SQUASH, KALE, AND SAUSAGE SOUP

This month’s Need-to-Know is extra exciting to us: WE’RE REMODELING! The remodel was supposed to take place the first two weeks of October, but as these things go, it’s been delayed. We’re working out the kinks, but it’s going to be so worth it. Did you know there is extra space at the back of our office building that’s just dirt? It’s true! It’s just completely unfinished space, including a dirt floor. But not for long because part of our remodel is expanding into that space! We’ll have another treatment room to accommodate more patients in Dr. Brooks’ schedule, a beautiful new lobby and reception area, fully updated treatment rooms and a bathroom, and our staff is getting a new break room with space for a full-size fridge. (That was their main request — an upgrade from the mini fridge, haha!) We can’t wait to show you! We’ll keep you posted, but thanks to everyone who’s already shown so much excitement for us and been so supportive and encouraging. OCTOBER’S NEED-TO-KNOW

This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.

INGREDIENTS •

1 tbsp vegetable oil

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Salt and pepper, to taste 4 cups chicken broth 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 cups kale, chopped 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

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4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces

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6 cloves garlic

1 onion, chopped

6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth,

and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co

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513-438-8152 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM

ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255

5 Foods That Will Improve Your Dental Health INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup October’s Need-to-Know The Simple Tooth: October Fun Facts Corn Maze Safety How Oral Health Affects Body Health Why We Love Costumes and Pizza Every Halloween

THE SIMPLE TOOTH FUN FACTS

ABOUT OCTOBER

Ever wondered what October holidays are like around the world? Good thing our bimonthly fun facts series is back! Here are a few things about October you may not have known. NO. 1: IN HAMPSHIRE, UK, BELLS ARE RUN EVERY OCT. 7 FOR A WHOLESOME REASON. One day in the 18th century, a man named William David was lost in a heavy fog while riding home at night. Thankfully, he heard the church bells toll and, thanks to the sound, he managed to find his way home. To give thanks, he left money to the church after his death, so the church would continue to ring their bells on Oct. 7 every year, in case there were other lost travelers. NO. 2: THE CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL IS 3,000 YEARS OLD AND SOMETIMES BEGINS IN OCTOBER. Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this ancient holiday is the second largest festival in China after the Chinese New Year. Since it’s observed on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, it can either occur in September or early October — however, it always falls on the full moon nearest the fall equinox, when the moon is said to be its brightest and roundest.

Celebrations involve brightly colored lanterns, dancing, games, and traditional pastries known as mooncakes. They’re round and filled with red bean or lotus seed paste, surrounding a salted egg yolk in the very center.

NO. 3: OKTOBERFEST BEGAN AS A MARRIAGE CELEBRATION. Beloved by tourists worldwide, Oktoberfest is an annual festival in Munich, Germany, that’s held over a two-week period and ends on the first Sunday in October. It originated on Oct. 12, 1810, when the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria (later King Louis I) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen was celebrated. The festival lasted five days and ended with a horse race in an open area that’s known today as Theresienwiese, or “Therese’s Green.” Over time, the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818, booths serving food and drink were introduced. Today, more than six million people enjoy the festivities, including games, amusement rides, music, and dancing.

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