Flax Dental - June 2021

Flax Dental - June 2021

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June 2021

Why the BeatlesWill Always Be My Icons Happy Global Beatles Day!

J une 25 is Global Beatles Day, and as a major Beatles fan, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the days I first heard of them. In February 1964, I vividly recall my family gathering around the TV, choosing which of the five channels we wanted to watch. There were no cellphones or Internet, so that was our main source of entertainment at home. I was about 4 1/2 years old when I saw the Beatles blow the socks off American culture and set music history in motion. Like many kids, I wanted to be a Beatle. My parents understood that this was a musical trend just the way Frank Sinatra was during the 30s and 40s and were very supportive of that. I never missed a chance to watch the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I’d watch the Beatles cartoons, and my dad would even occasionally buy me a Beatles album. There was one point where they bought my brother

“Outliers,” they are masters of their craft and have over 10,000 hours of practice. The Beatles made significant progress on that goal long before their success. For

example, from 1960 to 1962 in Berlin, the Beatles performed in dirty bars and venues with almost 10 shows a day.

In some ways, I’ve had parallels to that in my life. When I decided to become a cosmetic dentist, fortunately, I didn’t have to work in a dirty bar, but I had to pay my dues. So, I performed bonding at the VA hospital on almost every patient, whether they were eligible or not. If they sat in my chair and were willing, they were going

and me cheap plastic guitars, and we’d try to imitate them.

to get a great smile from me. Since I was just a resident, I was able to work with more flexibility. That experience taught me how to bond and visualize smiles. Over time, during and after my residency, I have easily gotten in 10,000 hours.

"My goal in life was to be a Beatle — so it completely broke my heart when they broke up in 1970. I felt abandoned and unemployed because I had no future.”

My goal in life was to be a Beatle — so it completely broke my heart when they broke up in 1970. I felt abandoned and unemployed because I had no future. Luckily, just a few years later, there was a dentist that helped my mom, and I realized that dentistry could be a future for me. The rest is history.

Stories about the Beatles and personal experience have taught me that masterful skill is something you have to pour a lot of time and energy into. You have to make the choice to give it your all. The Beatles could’ve given up on music at any point during their two- year stay in Berlin, but I’ll always be grateful that they stayed. If they hadn’t, I’m not sure what idol I would’ve adored as a kid, but they certainly wouldn’t have been as boyishly hilarious or musically gifted.

What makes the Beatles so special (and a continual inspiration for me) is that, as Malcolm Gladwell discussed in his book

Ever dressed up as your childhood hero or have a silly summer break photo? Share your dorkiest childhood photo, and you can win a $100 gift card to Target — a shopping favorite for children and adults alike! Respond by June 10, 2021, and submit your picture to our Facebook page at Facebook.com/FlaxDental.

—Hugh Flax

Congratulations to last month’s winner, Bill White

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The Super Benefits of Yoga June 21 is International Yoga Day, which makes it a great time of year to talk about the unique benefits of yoga — the “superfood” of fitness. As a mixture of exercise and mindfulness, yoga is not only challenging but also has myriad health benefits. Multiple studies agree: Yoga can significantly decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In

one study, 64 women with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in a 10-week program, performing yoga at least once a week. By the end of the 10 weeks, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all. As with starting any new hobby or regular exercise, it may help to set clear goals for yourself. By doing yoga regularly, there are several physical improvements you can look forward to, such as: • Improved range of motion or ease of movement • A reduction in pain, discomfort, or other symptoms • An increase in physical strength and endurance • Less weight fluctuation • Changes in the way your clothes fit • Better-quality sleeping habits and increased or stabilized energy levels One of the best qualities of yoga is that you can be of any age or fitness level. So, pull up a YouTube video, find a soft surface, and give it a try!

Many people assume yoga is mainly useful for increasing your flexibility. However, it’s also excellent for further developing your strength, mobility, and balance. These can be key benefits for living a healthier lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete or concerned about aging. Kaitlyn Hochart, a yoga instructor from San Diego, California, writes on Healthline, “During yoga, your body goes through a full range and variety of motion that can counteract aches and pains associated with tension or poor postural habits.” Yoga can help you become more aware of these habits, “[allowing] you to fix these imbalances and improve overall athleticism.” Many forms of exercise are useful against depression and cardiovascular disease, but in yoga’s case, you don’t have to break a sweat to start benefiting from its stress-relieving properties. “The breathing exercises you practice during yoga can help lower your

heart rate and shift your nervous system into a more relaxed state. It also promotes better sleep and increased focus,” Hochart writes.

Good News The

What Are Veneers? The Basics From Dr. Flax’s Book

While you want a beautiful smile, you also want to preserve the natural functional anatomy and strength of your teeth. Veneers are a great, conservative way of doing that. They reinvigorate the exterior of the tooth, making it stronger, more luminous, and more youthful. Veneers are custom-made, tooth-colored shell coverings. They are uniform shapes and colors based on where they are located in the mouth, so they create a very pleasing, symmetrical smile. They are made of porcelain, which is very durable and natural- looking — it mimics your tooth structure. When bonded to your teeth, veneers change the appearance of your whole smile. Veneers fit tightly to the tooth structure, replacing enamel that has become worn and damaged. They can add length and strength to a tooth while masking its defects, and they can even be crafted to close gaps in teeth. They also resist discoloration from wine, cigarettes, coffee, and other staining agents. When done correctly, veneers can easily last 20–25 years. We have one patient whose veneers have been intact for more than 30 years. Keep in mind that the actual process of treating veneers

is multilayered. It’s almost like having somebody design and customize a Tesla or Corvette just for you.

For example, front teeth are often thicker on the backside. This part of the tooth anatomy — known as the cingulum — keeps the front teeth from flexing and breaking. When the cingulum is removed, it dramatically weakens the teeth, making them more prone to cracking. My goal when rejuvenating front teeth is to save as much of the cingulum as possible. Veneers allow for the cingulum to be retained, preserving vital tooth structure, whereas crowns require more tooth structure to be removed, which can weaken the tooth in the long run. The look of veneers often comes down to the dentist’s relationship with their lab tech. We’ve had the same lab tech — a master ceramist — for two decades, and we’ve collaboratively taught each other a few things over the years. Make an appointment today, and we can work together to create beautiful veneers just for you!

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‘He’s the Moses of Dentistry’ Client Success Story

Our Best Patients Refer Our Best Patients

Frances’ Flax Dental Success Story

"Faith is wonderful and always does a great job. The staff is always helpful and knowledgeable. Dr. Flax is one of the most talented dentists that I have worked with." —Tony E.

Without any referrals or research, Frances wandered into Flax Dental back in 1991 because it was in her neighborhood. She just wanted to get her teeth cleaned, though while meeting Dr. Flax, she mentioned how uncomfortable she was with the gap between her front teeth. It had a negative

impact on her confidence — as a leader in her community, Frances was a professional HR person for her school district and always in the public eye. Frances wasn’t sure about whether the procedure would be worth it until, using the latest technology available, Dr. Flax actually showed Frances a photo of what she’d look like with cosmetic dental treatment. That is, without the gap. “I knew what the outcome was going to look like [beforehand],” Frances told us. “But after we went through the process, it was so much better!” The first step was teaching Frances how to keep her gums healthy, and then he referred her to another dentist to arrange an Invisalign treatment to straighten her teeth. A year later, she came back to Dr. Flax’s office and he implemented veneers across the front of her teeth. Best of all, she was comfortable throughout the procedures — she’s “never had one ounce of pain” at Flax Dental.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

Now, no matter where Frances is or whom she’s talking to, people can’t help but compliment her gorgeous smile.

A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.

Ingredients • 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger

Dr. Flax is so reliable and trustworthy that her friends can barely believe it. “One Sunday, we were at a restaurant, and I actually broke one of my tempoarary [front] veneers,” she said. “I panicked because I had a great big meeting that Monday morning, the next day. I was sitting at a table with a bunch of friends and they said, ‘You have that meeting tomorrow — how are you going to keep it together?’” “I told them, ‘I’m not — I’m going to get it fixed before then.’ And I pulled out my phone to call Dr. Flax. They told me, ‘We’ll pay you $50 if your dentist answers your call on a Sunday.’” Sure enough, she got her $50! She met with Dr. Flax at his office later that evening and had it fixed in time for her meeting. At Flax Dental, we love Frances’ xfamous nickname for Dr. Flax: “the Moses of dentistry.” She finds Dr. Flax’s instinctive dedication to patient health to be revolutionary within cosmetic dentistry, and she even brings her mother into the office for treatment. Thanks so much for your tremendous support, Frances! See you next time!

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Directions

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Ste. 430, Atlanta, GA 30342 404-255-9080 www.flaxdental.com

Want a Brighter, More Confident Smile? Don’t Know Where to Start? Send in Your Pictures and Have a Personalized Zoom Call With Dr. Flax With a FREE Virtual Smile Consultation! Visit: www.beautifulsmileforyou.net

Inside

Remember: Whether you have dental insurance benefits remaining, or leftover funds in your flexible spending account (FSA) or health care saving account (HSA), nearly all plans won’t allow you to roll them over to the following year. Schedule an appointment at Flax Dental today.

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Why the Beatles Will Always Be My Icons

The Super Benefits of Yoga

What Are Veneers?

‘He’s the Moses of Dentistry’

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

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Have You Explored a National Forest?

Explore a National Forest for Free

On National Get Outdoors Day

Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it’s very likely a neighboring state does! And there’s no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree-filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day! While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ivm/ to access the map and see what’s near your hometown!

If you’re dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests.

El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States.

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• Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest. • Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north-central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.

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