Flax Dental - September 2021

Flax Dental - September 2021

September 2021

404-255-9080 | www.flaxdental.com

Tougher Than the Rest Why I Love Bruce Springsteen’s Autobiography

adventurous work. From his latest Glen Campbell, Western-inspired album to his New Orleans jazz band (known as

Because of my great love for music, I’ve always liked to read biographies of all types of famous or successful musicians. But the one that left a lasting impression on me is probably Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography. I’ve always been drawn to Springsteen’s artistry — not just because of his music, but because of how deeply he interpreted his life from being a small-town kid to dealing with enormous fame. I learned through his book that he attended a strict Catholic school and lived in a community with a lot of rules. Yet, he never reserved himself as some people do. Instead, he expressed and painted great stories of people because he found a desire within himself to create experiences, which drives him to perform live as often as he still does. But as Springsteen’s happy ending arrived, he developed severe depression in the ‘80s, right at the height of his fame. Still, he overcame that, too.

the Seeger Sessions tour), he always finds new ways to excite his fans and create awesome music to see live.

It’s hard to imagine that Springsteen struggled with fatherhood the same way many new, busy fathers do — but it’s even harder to imagine that 19% of American adults will never be read about his struggles because of illiteracy. If you’d like to support the fight toward leveling the playing field for all people, especially the illiterate, consider sending a donation to ProLiteracy.org. But if you’re looking for an unforgettable autobiography, I definitely recommend Springsteen’s. And I’m not just saying that because I’ve never forgotten his birthday – Sept. 23 – since then, with my birthday being just 10 days beforehand. Okay, maybe I’m a little biased. But seriously, I think anyone looking to learn from his hard work, vision, imagination, and perseverance will enjoy learning about it almost firsthand through his book.

Springsteen has more than proven himself in the music industry, yet he has always pushed himself with diverse and

Whether you’ve read a new book recently or a long time ago, we’d love to hear your favorite book you’ve ever read! Tell us on Facebook and you can win a $100 gift card to Amazon. Respond by Sept. 10, 2021, and submit your story to our

—Hugh Flax

Facebook page at Facebook.com/FlaxDental. Congrats to last month's winner, Ashley Amber!

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3 Things to Do Before Your Graduate Leaves Prepping for an Empty Nest? C ongratulations to parents sending their children off to college or “the real world” this year! Parenthood is not for the faint of heart — from toddler meltdowns to angsty teenage years, you might be counting down the days to an empty nest.

Cover the Household Basics If there’s one thing to look forward to, it’s all the laundry you won’t have to do anymore. And the fridge will be fully stocked without ravenous teens emptying it regularly! But before you drop your child off at college or their new home, make sure they can manage laundry, cook basic meals, and keep a tidy space. Some basics to cover include the difference between hot and cold wash and how to make scrambled eggs. Make a Budget Living as a broke young adult is almost like a rite of passage to “real” adulthood, but you can make this experience easier just by opening that often taboo door and talking about money. Explain the processes or budgeting systems that work for your family and guide your child through their potential living expenses. Try test runs so they understand how much they will have to spend on necessities, like groceries, hygiene items, and gas. Pro Tip: Before your children take off, don’t forget to schedule one more dental appointment! We can set up recurring appointments during breaks to ensure their oral health is never compromised.

Yet, that doesn’t make your child moving off to college any easier.

Fear not, for you can help your child live more independently at college in many ways and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your baby is going to be fine. Prepare Legal Documents Once they turn 18, your child is no longer under your care — legally speaking. You can no longer make decisions for them, including medical decisions, should they become incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. Connect with a trusted attorney to create medical and financial powers of attorney that give you these rights. (Just consult with your child first before doing so!)

Good News The

What’s a Gum Lift?

involves reshaping gum tissue and/or bone to improve smile aesthetics.

In previous articles, we’ve talked about how redesigning a smile is similar to directing a Broadway play. While the teeth are the actors on that stage, the gums are the scenery — an important part of the overall production. That’s why gums that are asymmetrical, bulky in one area, too short or long on a tooth here or there, or leave teeth without a pleasing frame can disrupt the eye of the viewer. It can be distracting to talk with someone when their gums are unbalanced or unhealthy. Pink, healthy, and symmetrical gums can make a big difference in a smile. A gum lift can revitalize the gums and make the gumline far more pleasing. It

After determining the smile design with computer imaging and digital smile

Gum lifts can create the illusion of straightness in the smile and even up the symmetry around the teeth to provide more natural architecture that “frames” the teeth better to dramatically enhance the smile. As you can imagine, there is an art to creating the ideal gumline. Creating a natural-looking smile means following the laws of nature. Those laws dictate that the gums have symmetry, balance, and a geometric progression from the front to the back of the mouth. To achieve harmony with the gums during contouring, specific ratios and angles should be followed.

design, the gums (and potentially the bone) are conservatively reshaped to remove excess or uneven gum tissue, a procedure known as a “closed flap.” The procedure is often done using a diode or erbium laser to “nip and tuck” in different places to create symmetry. Many dentists use a lower- powered diode laser for this procedure, which targets only the gum tissue. But an erbium laser has at least more than twice the power of the diode, which allows for issues with the gum and the bone to be addressed — often in one visit! So, if you’re concerned about your gums, don’t hesitate to give our office a call, and we can take care of it right away!

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Client Success Story

Our Best Patients Refer Our Best Patients "Excellent care and attention to clients. No waiting and they are always cognizant of your own schedule. Chelsea is always interested in your oral health and overall wellbeing." —Darrett A.

She Couldn’t Stand the Dentist — Now, She Loves Flax Dental

Meet Rebecca, a Recently Treated Patient! As a human resources executive at an international software company, Rebecca is excellent at what she does, but she found herself feeling vulnerable when it came to presenting her smile. And she knew why: She had a very intense fear of dentists.

“For all kinds of reasons, I can’t stand the dentist office. I can go to the doctor any day of the

week,” Rebecca explained to us. The sensory experience of sitting in the chair gives Rebecca severe anxiety. But she couldn’t ignore her smile anymore, so she decided to do research on how to overcome this obstacle and fix her smile. When she chose Flax Dental and gave us a call, she laid out all of her brutally honest feelings about the dentist. She had very high doubts about previous dentist opinions. “Many cosmetic dentists I met beforehand wanted to replace all of my teeth [without much reason of why, so] I knew that couldn’t possibly be the case.” So, what was her first appointment at Flax Dental like? Rebecca said, “So wonderful!” Not only did all of the staff welcome her in an impressively hospitable way, but she was also paired with a hygienist who struggles with fears of being in the dental chair herself! “She really put me at ease. She kept me talking and always told me what to expect.” Then, she met Dr. Flax to chat about the future of her teeth, and again, she was impressed by how hospitably and kindly she was treated. “They really listened,” she recalls. “They didn’t try to oversell me. They only tried to address my concerns.” Although she knew her treatment would be an investment, Dr. Flax’s informative treatment plan and explanation of every step completely “took out the emotion of the decision” for her – it was an easy decision to make! “My fears of going to the dentist office have been totally dismissed,” Rebecca says proudly. “They really know me at Flax Dental — they remember everything; they know who I am. That was important for me.” She was especially stunned when, after a long procedure, the Flax Dental team sent her back home in a car with free Chinese egg drop soup. It was a small gesture that meant a lot to her. “[The staff] told me they didn’t want me chewing on anything,” she remembered. “They really are amazing.” Thanks so much, Rebecca, for the kind words and being such an amazing patient! We absolutely love the way you brighten up the office. We can’t wait to see you again soon!

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal.

Ingredients

• 4 tsp olive oil, divided • 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless,

skinless chicken thighs

• 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided • 1/2 cup apple cider • 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions

plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean.

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over

4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken

medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top- side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a

to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

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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 I Love Bruce Springsteen’s Autobiography

3 Things All Students Need Before Moving to College

Wait, What’s a Gum Lift?

How a Fearful Patient Came to Love Flax Dental

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

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Unique Historical Beauty Trends

Unique Beauty Trends

Throughout World History

Ta Moko Tattoos Among the Maoris in New Zealand

The phrase “beauty standards” could easily be considered an oxymoron because beauty is rarely standard. Throughout history, what people in one society or time period found beautiful would often be found ugly, strange, or downright reprehensible in another. To illustrate that point, here are a few examples of the strangest beauty trends throughout world history — by our society’s own subjective standards, of course! Unibrows in Ancient Greece Rather than the intensely plucked and manicured eyebrows that are in style for women today, ancient Greek women were encouraged to let them grow into one. Unibrows were seen as a sign of purity, and some women went so far as to darken their eyebrows with black powder or close the gap with animal hair. Skull Shaping in Ancient Mesoamerica Popularized among the Mayans beginning around 1000 B.C., parents of newborn children would bind their heads in order to make them grow into an unnaturally elongated shape, possibly to mimic their depiction of one of their gods. Other tribes around the world actually had similar beauty practices, including the Incas, Hawaiians, and even Germanic Hun tribes.

Even today, beauty standards remain disparate. For over 1,000 years, members of the indigenous Maori

tribe of New Zealand have decorated their faces with intricate tattoos called Ta moko. Far from what a face tattoo represents in the United States, these tattoos represent strength and beauty in women and a readiness for adult responsibilities in men. Cosmetic Surgery as a Status Symbol in South Korea South Koreans prize porcelain white skin, pointed noses, small faces, and large eyes — to the point where 1 in every 5 people undergo plastic surgery, mostly to alter the shape of their eyes and noses. These surgeries are expensive, which goes to show that even today, people will go to extreme lengths to conform to their society’s definition of beauty.

But if beauty is so plainly subjective, how far should people be willing to go to appear “beautiful”?

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