Exceptional Smiles - May/June 2022

Exceptional Smiles - May/June 2022

May/June 2022

THE HEIGHTS SM I L E Herald

( 440 ) 483 - 1003

5825 Lande r b rook Dr i ve , Su i t e 121 , May f i e l d He i gh t s , OH 44124

Everyone loves a good road trip, especially as we enter the long, lazy days of summer. The Friday before Memorial Day has been designated Take a Road Trip Day, but I’m lucky enough to have gone on a few journeys with my daughters over the past couple of years. The trips may not have been as exciting as the road trips of movies — there were no police or high- speed chases involved — but they were a lot more meaningful. Late last year, my youngest daughter and I took a road trip to Chicago to see a Northwestern University football game. She had a Friday off from school, and I let her set the agenda for our trip. What she wanted to do, we did — which included seeing the aquarium, visiting the Nutella Cafe, and just walking around Chicago. It was fun to spend time with her in a one-on-one setting and learn more about how she’s thinking about the world these days. I learned a lot about her by looking at things through her eyes. Though our middle daughter had no interest in Chicago, she has asked me to take day trips with her. Not that long ago, she wanted to visit the Mansfield Reformatory. It’s a historical, nonfunctioning prison that many people know as the location where they filmed “The Shawshank Redemption.” My daughter hadn’t seen the movie, but the site’s culture of ghost hunting interested her. It was cold inside the unheated prison, but it was also a lot of fun, and we spent some time exploring the town, finding points of interest, and hanging out. With my oldest daughter, I also had the opportunity to spend time in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was her first spring break from college, and she didn’t have any plans, so she asked me if I wanted to go on a trip. It was pretty last minute, so I hesitated for a moment but decided to rearrange my schedule. It wasn’t technically a road trip — we flew down — but we stayed with my parents and hiked around the area. There was no real plan, so we just did whatever sounded fun. Unfortunately, I realized I’m ENJOYING THE PRESENT THROUGH ROAD TRIPS Glory Days

not as young as I used to be. At one point, I watched my heart rate on my Apple Watch creep up and realized I needed to stop and enjoy the view for a while. My daughter called me an old man, but it was worth it to spend time with her. If she’d asked about such a trip a few years ago, I would have apologized and told her I needed to take a raincheck. Work would have taken precedence over family time. But I’ve learned through the uncertainty of the past couple of years that when my daughters want to spend time with me, I should take full advantage of it. I’ve reprioritized because I know that soon, they’ll have their own lives and want to spend less time hanging out with Dad. Now, they’re at the perfect age where they are old enough to have more adult interests but still want to spend time with me. It won’t last forever. One of the best things about road trips is their generally unstructured nature. They tend to be as much about the journey as they are about the destination, and half the fun is the incidental experiences you find along the way. But when we look back, I think it’s the people we had the experiences with that we remember the most. I’m grateful to get to know my daughters better through our small adventures, and I’ll cherish the memories for a lifetime. -Dr. Jason Schermer

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HOW YOUR MOUTH AFFECTS YOUR WHOLE BODY A Healthier You

Our primary concern at Exceptional Smiles is ensuring your teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. But we care about our patients’ health from head to toe and want to see you have the longest, happiest life possible. May is High Blood Pressure Education Month and National Stroke Awareness Month. These are both serious conditions that affect millions of Americans. And believe it or not, they’re linked to the health of your pearly whites. Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension (high blood pressure), and according to the American Heart Association, those with healthy gums generally respond better to treatment. Gum disease is also linked to stroke, which causes one death every four minutes. Both high blood pressure and stroke are “oral-systemic conditions.” That means what happens in your mouth affects the rest of your body. You may have heard that your oral health impacts your cardiovascular health, and that’s true. What’s good for your mouth is good for your heart. Less well-known but equally worrying is that researchers have linked gum disease to high blood sugar and the condition of diabetes. There are still more conditions for which poor oral health appears as a predictor, including Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some cancers.

Experts say more research is needed to understand how this relationship works. Some have theorized that chronic oral inflammation affects our bodies’ immune responses. Others suggest that the mouth can harbor pathogenic bacteria that later make their way to our bloodstream. Other mechanisms that scientists have not yet considered may be at play, and there’s no proof that poor oral health causes any of these diseases. But we do know there’s no downside to taking better care of your mouth, and by doing so, you may prevent potentially disabling or fatal conditions down the road. Now that you know, what do you do? If you don’t already, brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. A healthy diet will benefit your teeth and the rest of your body, and if you smoke, quitting will do the same. Finally, share your other health conditions with your dentist, seek prompt dental treatment for new issues, and don’t miss your annual exams. If you’re overdue, don’t wait any longer. Call us at (440) 483-1003 to schedule your next appointment!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Exceptional Smiles is always exceptional. The staff is friendly and professional — today I interacted with Taylor, Janae, and Dr. Schermer, and they were all great — guiding me through what they were doing and how they were doing it every step of the way.” -Joey “Very friendly staff. I have hated going to the dentist since I was a kid, but this experience is totally different. I still don’t look forward to going, but I know when I go, they will do everything they can to make me comfortable and fix my teeth.” -Daniel

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(440) 483-1003

WHITE, BRIGHT, AND CLEAN HOW WE CAN CREATE THE SMILE OF YOUR DREAMS

Your smile doesn’t need to look stunning to be healthy — but wouldn’t it be nice if it did? Our first goal is to rid you of cavities, gum disease, and oral pain. But plenty of people with healthy mouths are still embarrassed to show their smiles due to yellowing or crooked teeth. We understand how our patients feel. Your health comes first, but it sure feels nice to look good, too. Many people associate discolored teeth with dirty teeth. Even when it’s not true, the stigma can be hard to beat and has many people covering their mouths in shame. Fortunately, we offer in-office whitening services that will help build your confidence. Our work is faster than store-bought options, lasts longer, and will result in less overall sensitivity. We’d be glad to review your case and quote you for treatment — the price may be less than you imagine. What about crooked teeth? You may think braces are just for adolescents, but Invisalign offers a discreet option. The process will gradually correct any gaps or tooth positions using a set of clear trays that we mold to your teeth, resulting in the smile of your dreams. Best of all, it’s affordable. With our Best Invisalign Deal Ever, you can receive an all-inclusive Invisalign system for only $3,759 or $81 per month. We can help patients with missing or chipped teeth, too. Our office customizes same-day crowns to match the color, size, and texture of your real teeth. They generally appear indistinguishable from the rest of your mouth and have the LEAH’S BAD DAD JOKE OF THE MONTH

additional benefit of making chewing easier for most people. Even better, crowns prevent surrounding teeth from moving out of place and causing other dental problems later. We all deserve to be comfortable in our own skin, and modern dentistry makes it more possible than ever. Ensure other people notice your best features by working with us towards a healthier, straighter smile today. Call us to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can enhance your smile within a budget that works for you.

Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Impress Mom with this delicious breakfast recipe!

Q: How do sheep celebrate Memorial Day? A: With a baa-baa cue.

Ingredients •

Nonstick cooking spray 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped

•

Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced Cherry tomatoes, halved Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

• • • •

•

Q: What’s the difference between spring rolls and summer rolls?

• •

8 eggs

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

A: Seasoning.

Q: What did the little corn say to the mama corn? A: Where is pop corn?

If you would like your favorite joke featured, email [email protected] . You may see it in our next issue!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

(440) 483-1003

INSIDE 5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 121 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

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Dr. Schermer’s Road Trips With His Daughters

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Oral Health’s Links to Other Medical Conditions

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What People Are Saying About Us

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A Healthier, Straighter Smile

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Strengthen Your Entire Body!

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits. BIG BENEFITS OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING PADDLE YOURWAY TO BETTER HEALTH

MENTAL BENEFITS •

While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus. • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep. Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS •

Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back.

• You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower-body muscles.

• While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength. Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance, enabling you to go longer distances faster.

• Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system.

Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

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