Cove Family Dentistry - July 2019

JULY 2019

Tooth Be Told

256.534.1475

www.elizabethdulingdmd.com

I love the Fourth of July. I look forward to grilling with my family, watching the kids play in the pool all day, and, above all else, I love fireworks. Watching the fireworks is my favorite part of the Fourth of July. When I was really young, my mom took us to an amazing Fourth of July celebration. I only remember a few details, but the fireworks show still stands out most in my memory. It was truly incredible. We were standing on a higher elevation, so it looked like the fireworks were right in front of us. The colorful explosions lit up the whole sky while a live orchestra played the “1812 Overture” with real cannon fire at the end. When those cannons went off, you could feel the blast in your stomach. I didn’t know where we were at, but I never forgot those fireworks. Years later, after I was married and my husband started teaching at West Point Military Academy in New York, we took our daughters to watch the West Point fireworks show on the Fourth of July. It was so crowded, you couldn’t even find a place to put down a blanket and sit, but, when the fireworks started, it took my breath away. MY FAVORITE 4TH OF JULY TRADITION Light Up the Night

year, I’m still looking forward to the Fourth of July. The golf course near our home puts together a great fireworks show every year. It’s great to bring some chairs out, watch the kids run around and play in the sand bunkers, and wait for the fireworks to start at dusk. They might not be as extravagant as the West Point show, but I’m always happy to watch some fireworks. Last year, I hit a fireworks sale at one of the pop-up stands, and the woman behind the register was so nice and gave me so much free stuff. I ended up with some amazing fireworks I would have never bought for myself. Later, my family and our neighbors found a safe spot and had our own little fireworks show from my bargain bag fireworks. We had so much fun! Whatever your plans are this year, I hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July. This is a great holiday for celebrating the many freedoms we enjoy as a nation — including our freedom to fill the night sky with incredible explosions once a year.

At West Point, they shoot their fireworks off a barge on the Hudson River while the audience watches on land a little higher up. It creates the illusion of being in the fireworks. As the orchestra started to play the “1812 Overture,” I realized this was where my mom had taken us all those years ago. They even had the live cannons at the end. Those fireworks were just as amazing as I remembered. Even though we aren’t driving all the way to New York for the West Point fireworks show this

“I only remember a few details, but the fireworks

show still stands out most in my memory.”

Happy Fourth of July!

—Dr. Elizabeth Duling

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SOAK UP THE SUN WITHOUT DAMAGING YOUR SKIN

4 Tips for Happy Summertime Skin

Summer is a wonderful time of year for your health. The warm weather encourages outdoor activities, and the vitamin D produced by sunlight can boost your mood. Unfortunately, sunshine can also do a number on your skin. Here are a few tips to protect your skin while having fun in the sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen! People of all complexions should wear sunscreen every day. Even if you aren’t at the beach, harsh sunlight can still damage your skin when you’re walking around or driving your car. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen with SPF 30 first thing in the morning and reapplying periodically through the day.

long as they’re used as directed.” So read the directions and enjoy a great summer tan while keeping your skin safe. Take cool showers. Hot showers are relaxing, but they also dry out your skin, especially in the

heat of summer. Do your skin a favor and turn down the temperature. As a bonus, taking a cool shower after sweating can reduce acne breakouts.

Stay hydrated. Hydrated skin is happy skin, so keep a water bottle handy. Start by swapping a sugary beverage at mealtime with a glass of water instead. Another healthy way to get extra water is by snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables. Certain summer fruits, like melons, have high water content and are full of vitamins your body craves.

Pro Tip: Don’t put the sunscreen away when it gets cold. The sun is still harmful in the winter months.

Want a tan? Go sunless! Though popular, that “sun-kissed” look is actually a sign of skin damage caused by harmful UV rays. If your summer look just isn’t complete without a tan, consider using a sunless tanning product. The Mayo Clinic states, “Topical sunless tanning products are generally considered safe alternatives to sunbathing, as

There’s a lot to love about the summertime. With these tips, your skin can love it too.

BIRD

Cove Family Dentistry wanted to be in a great location for our patients. It just so happens that we’re also in a great location for birds! All day, we’re able to look out our office windows and spot many different species of birds. This month, we’re watching the wood thrush. One of the most unique sounds you’ll hear around our office this summer is the strange melody of our wood thrushes singing in the trees. Like most songbirds, female wood thrushes don’t sing, but a male wood thrush can have a dozen different song patterns. The flute-like lilt is so moving that, after hearing a wood thrush singing, Henry David Thoreau once said, “Whenever a man hears it he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of Heaven are not shut against him.” A migratory bird, wood thrushes only spend the spring and summer here in North America. They arrive in April to mate and raise their young before returning to Central America in late August. You might be able to spot this brown- and white-spotted bird around the nearby woodlands over the next couple of weeks. The haunting song of the wood thrush is a cherished feature of forests in the eastern United States, but this melody is at risk of disappearing forever. Since 1966, the wood thrush population has declined by 50%. This is due to forest fragmentation, acid rain, and deforestation destroying their natural habitats. Today, wood thrushes are considered “near threatened” and continue to disappear at a rate of 1.8% per year. Wood thrushes have become the symbol of the decline of neotropical songbirds of North America, but not all hope is lost. There are numerous conservation efforts to help save not just the wood thrush but all migratory birds of America. You can learn more on the American Bird Conservancy website at ABCBirds.org/ wood-thrush_help-protect-tropical-forests/. THE WOOD THRUSH’S MAGICAL MELODY

WATCH

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If you want to enjoy a brighter, more beautiful smile, the first step is to avoid food and drinks that will stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, soda, red wine, tomato sauce, and blueberries can really discolor your teeth. That said, cutting out favorite foods just to have white teeth is no way to live. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy teeth whitening strategies out there. If you’re dealing with surface-level stains, whitening toothpaste usually works just fine. Whitening toothpaste contains mild abrasives, which scrub away surface stains. Be careful not to overuse whitening toothpaste or you’ll run the risk of damaging your enamel. If you’ve been using whitening toothpaste for a while and haven’t seen any improvement, you may have what’s called “intrinsic stains,” or staining inside the tooth. The only way to remove intrinsic stains is to clean beneath the surface of the tooth with some kind of bleaching agent. Never brush your teeth with household bleach. Only use safe products designed to be used on your teeth. Crest Whitestrips work really well, but if you need to see faster results, an in-office whitening treatment is your best option. There are some popular teeth whitening strategies online that either don’t work or are outright harmful to your teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth at home, avoid these mistakes: • Charcoal toothpaste — Some people think the abrasive charcoal will scrub away stains faster than traditional whitening toothpaste, but it’s far too rough on teeth, causing more harm than good. • Turmeric — This spice may have some health benefits, but it’s not great on your teeth. People who brush their teeth with turmeric often see their pearly whites stained a highlighter yellow. Show Off Those Pearly Whites TIPS FOR SAFE TEETH WHITENING AT HOME

BARBEQUE CAMPFIRE CAMPING FIREWORK

HOT INDEPENDENCE JULY

SUMMER SUN SWIMMING TANNING UFO VOLLEYBALL WATERMELON

LEMONADE OUTDOORS

FISHING FRIENDS HIKING

SANDALS SKEWERS

Juicy Lucy Sliders

Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine

The Juicy Lucy is a burger with cheese hiding in the patty, and it is a staple in Minnesota. We think it should be a Fourth of July favorite nationwide. INGREDIENTS

• •

2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean

8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)

• • •

16 small potato rolls, toasted Salt and pepper, to taste

Your favorite burger accompaniments

DIRECTIONS

1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.

• Coconut oil pulling — Coconut oil pulling has become very trendy, but there’s no scientific evidence to suggest it can help whiten your teeth in any way.

Want to enjoy whiter teeth this summer? Give us a call at 256.534.1475 to ask about in- office whitening treatments and get tips for safer teeth whitening at home.

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210 Sutton RD. SE Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 256.534.1475 www.elizabethdulingdmd.com

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Inside

Fireworks Show, Then and Now

Is Summertime Bad for Your Skin?

What’s That Sound?

Quick Tips for a Brighter Smile

Juicy Lucy Sliders

Roadside Attractions with Fun for All Ages

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting

The United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out.

The Lost Sea; Sweetwater, Tennessee

The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat, since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe.

messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience.

Dinosaur Land; White Post, Virginia

It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about. Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels.

The Mystery Spot; Santa Cruz, California

Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions

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