Comfort Family Dental - August 2022

Comfort Family Dental - August 2022

2036 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

AUGUST 2022

THE ‘SECRET’ TO EXCELLENT GUT HEALTH

Eating junk food affects more than our weight. It affects our stomach’s health, too. From probiotic soda labels to Twitter threads, information about gut health can be found everywhere nowadays. You may know your gut can affect your weight, mood, and everything in between. Without a healthy gut microbiome, your brain, heart, and even liver can suffer consequences. Yet, there’s still one little-known fact … your gut health and oral health also have a powerful connection. In fact, if your oral health suffers, so does your gut health. The Oral Microbiome You might know the probiotics in yogurt are good for your gut, but yogurt — with limited sugar — can be beneficial for your

the diversity of our oral microbiome, which causes many problems down the line. The River to Good Health Your mouth takes everything you ingest into your body — and that includes bacteria. When your oral microbiome is full of nasty bacteria that contribute to poor mental health, weight gain (or loss),

and even degenerative diseases such as dementia, your gut microbiome is at a huge risk. Since your oral microbiome flows beyond the mouth and into your

mouth as well. Why? Well, your digestive system starts with your mouth. Even a dentist wouldn’t want to kill off every last germ in your mouth. You have good bacteria in your teeth, too. Some probiotic strains of bacteria are known to perform protective functions in the mouth. For example, some strains release acids

digestive tract, it’s worth considering whether gum disease and inflammation-causing bacteria are dripping into the rest of your body. Studies show that rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and even rare diseases such as gastroparesis have links to oral health. If you take care of your mouth and keep up with regular bi-annual dental cleanings, you can often stop a disease from developing long before it becomes a real issue.

“If you take care of your mouth and keep

up with regular bi-annual dental cleanings, you can often stop a disease from developing long before it becomes a real issue.”

that “scare” harmful bacteria and keep tooth decay under control. Others may protect against gum disease or bad

breath. For this reason, you should always consult your dentist before choosing to use mouthwash, since antibacterial mouthwashes can destroy all the good bacteria your oral microbiome needs to thrive. Speaking of helping your oral microbiome flourish, you’d

Thanks so much for your loyal readership, everyone. I can’t wait to see you again in our offices soon. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to make an

be surprised to know simple carbs and sugars aren’t necessarily damaging in the way you think. Eating hard candy doesn’t mean the sugars are using a sledgehammer against your enamel like the Property Brothers. Instead, the sugars invite all the bad bacteria to move in and the good bacteria to move out. Simple carbs and sugars reduce

appointment to better your oral health.

– Dr. Corie Rowe

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TEE OFF THIS SUMMER 4 GREAT BENEFITS OF GOLF

Golf is an enjoyable sport that anyone can participate in regardless of experience, ability, and age. There’s nothing quite like teeing off on the first hole after a difficult week of work. Though it can certainly be frustrating at times, golf is a fun sport with many amazing perks. Reading the following benefits will make you want to head to your local course, even if you’re not a regular golfer. It’s great exercise. Playing a full 18 holes of golf can be exhausting and for good reason. Swinging a golf club works your forearms, core, shoulders, and back muscles. If you choose to walk the course, you’ll be getting in a great workout as the average course length is about 4 miles. You can also carry your golf bag for an even better workout. It builds character. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned golfer or on the course for the first time, you are not going to have a perfect round. You may miss a putt or end up in the sand trap, but

you decide how you react to the situation. You can get mad and potentially play worse or understand that everything is not always going to work out in golf. That lesson can even be applied to your everyday life. It’ll draw you outside. Most of us can use some additional time outdoors, and golf provides the perfect opportunity. Between rolling hills, picturesque ponds, and lush trees, the golf course is a beautiful setting. Even if you’re playing poorly, you can still enjoy being outside for a few hours out of your day. It’s fun for the entire family. Golf isn’t just for businessmen. Anyone can find enjoyment in the game. It can be a great weekend activity for the entire family or the perfect bonding experience between relatives. There are par 3 courses across the country that offer an easier experience for new golfers, and you can always play nine holes instead of 18 to cut down on time and conserve energy.

4 WAYS TO STOP BAD BREATH NATIONAL FRESH BREATH DAY IS HERE

Nobody wants to have bad breath, but reports say that over 80 million people suffer from chronic bad breath. If you struggle with bad breath or worry about developing it at some point in your life, you can do a few simple things to prevent and fix bad breath. And what better time to kick bad breath to the curb than on National Fresh Breath Day, Aug. 6. You can get started with these four tips. Brush your teeth and tongue. It’s no secret that brushing your teeth is an important part of dental hygiene, but it also helps prevent bad breath. Brushing at least two times a day will help remove plaque and food debris from your teeth. Don’t forget about your tongue, either! Bacteria can build up on the rough surface of your tongue, so the entire surface needs to be brushed to improve breath. Floss and use mouthwash. Another important habit you need to incorporate is flossing. Flossing helps remove food debris from spots

your toothbrush can’t reach, which helps to remove odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, mouth rinse really only masks bad breath for a while. Instead, did you know that rinsing with green or black tea can suppress the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath? Give it a try. Visit your dentist.

It can be difficult to figure out where your bad breath comes from, especially if it’s chronic. If you notice your breath worsening, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can evaluate your symptoms. You may have an underlying condition causing your bad breath. Use sugar-free gum or mints. Many people turn to gum or mints when they need a quick solution for bad breath, but choosing the wrong product can lead to worsening effects over time. If you use gum or mints, choose a sugar-free option. They will help stimulate your saliva,

which will help wash away food debris.

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HERE’S WHY WE’RE YOUR BEST CHOICE WHY CHOOSE COMFORT FAMILY DENTAL?

If you’re receiving this newsletter, you’re likely already familiar with our practice! But we want to make sure you’re having the best dental experience possible — and we work toward achieving that every day. Based on our efforts, and the compliments we hear most, here are a few effective ways we try to We understand the importance of being able to fit dental appointments into a busy schedule. We open as early as 7 a.m. and close as late as 7 p.m. We are also open on Saturdays. We strive to offer flexible hours so it’s simple and convenient for you to fit your dental checkups into your schedule. Flexible Payment Options make your life easier. Convenient Hours It’s a goal of ours to help our community receive the dental care they need without breaking the bank. Insured patients receive

most preventive dentistry services for FREE. We also have multiple payment options for treatments not covered by insurance and for non-insured patients. We accept most dental insurance, have a referral program, and provide multiple payment options, bringing affordable dental care to the Chicago area. Go to our website at Comfort-FamilyDental.com to see a full list of payment options. Anxiety-Free Environment We understand the importance of providing a low-anxiety environment for patients. We offer comfort options to minimize your anxiety, pain, and discomfort. Our staff does everything they can to ensure you’re comfortable in our office and after treatment. Often, our sedation treatments are effective at creating a relaxing environment and painless treatment.

Most of all, we are happy to explain any treatments so you know what to expect. If you feel anxious at the dentist, let our staff know so we can make the experience enjoyable and comforting. We even offer music in the waiting room with coffee, tea, and cookies. We do everything we can to make you feel at home when visiting Comfort Family Dental. Thank you for choosing Comfort Family Dental. We’re so grateful and excited to serve you and your family. We hope we never let you forget it!

“WITHOUT AMBITION, ONE STARTS NOTHING. WITHOUT WORK, ONE FINISHES NOTHING. THE PRIZE WILL NOT BE SENT TO YOU. YOU HAVE TO WIN IT.” –RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Take a Break

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

2036 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Create a Healthy Gut With This ‘Secret’

2

4 Reasons to Start Golfing This Summer

How to Prevent Bad Breath

3

3 Reasons Why Patients Love Us

Take a Break

4

Dealing With Negativity? Try These 3 Things!

3 WAYS TO FOSTER A POSITIVE ATTITUDE CHOOSING JOY EVERY DAY

positive mindset. Though it might be easier to bury your head in the sand, fostering positivity in your life will provide you with many benefits. But doing so is easier said than done. If you’re unsure where to begin, try out some of these methods to help you get started. Focus on the silver lining. When something bad or unfortunate happens, we are quick to think about the negatives and how they will impact us in the future. Instead, we should be searching for a silver lining. You can find a positive in any situation, but you’ll have to put in the effort to flip your perspective. Keep a gratitude journal. When we think about gratitude and thankfulness, our minds usually think about Thanksgiving. But we don’t need to wait for a

special day to show gratitude. Things happen to us every day that we should be grateful for. If you’re struggling to acknowledge your blessings, keep a gratitude journal and write a few things you are thankful for each day. Over time, that thought process will seep into your daily life. Surround yourself with positive people. The people we associate with play a huge role in our mental well-being. If you’re constantly around people who put you down or tell you that you can’t accomplish certain things, you will feel worse about yourself — or even believe them. You need to block the negative people from your life and surround yourself with those who think optimistically. Establishing a positive mindset in today’s world may be difficult, but it is not impossible if you develop a strategy and follow through with it.

In today’s society, we are faced with tragic stories and upsetting information, no matter where we turn. This can quickly lead us to a negative mindset where we believe things can’t be fixed and will only get worse, so it’s even more important now to establish a

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