Huron Smiles - August 2021

Huron Smiles - August 2021

HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be

August 2021

530 Iowa Ave. SE #102, Huron, SD 57350 |

605-352-8753

|

Meet Kendra Peterson! FROMWASHINGTON TO SOUTH DAKOTA Hi, everyone! My name is Kendra, and I’m a dental assistant here at Sabal Dental. I’m very excited to share a little bit about myself in this month’s cover article. I’m originally from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and I’ve been a dental assistant for 10 years. I was always that little kid who loved going to the dentist. When my brother and sister would be in the chair for their cleanings, I was always trying to watch and asking questions. I was so curious! Our family dentist’s wife was also his hygienist, and when I was in high school, she asked me if I wanted to help her at the practice. (She had a feeling I was bound for the dental field.) So, when they were short-staffed, I would help with charting and other small behind-the-scenes tasks in the practice.

Because of this move, I feel very lucky to have discovered Sabal Dental. Not only do we love our community, but I also enjoy working with the people I do every day. We truly are like one big family here at Huron Smiles! I love coming to work every day. Of course, when I’m not at work, my husband and I are taking care of our newest addition! We had our son, Tayton, in March of this year, and he keeps us on our toes as he continues to grow and explore his world. I also love to garden, and we have two dogs and a cat on our little homestead here in Huron. I’m grateful every day for our new home and opportunities. My husband and I get to raise our family in this great community, and I get to fulfill an interest that began all the way back in childhood, when I was acting like a mini dental assistant. Next time you’re at the practice, be sure to say hi! –Kendra Peterson

I haven’t left this field since!

I graduated from Peninsula College with a degree in dental assisting and found that my childhood dental hygienist was right. This was the career path for me! I like caring for people and making their lives better in such a small yet powerful way. Whenever I’m sitting chairside with the dentist assisting with a patient’s teeth, I always enjoy helping the patient find comfort and relief. It’s a feeling that never gets old! Plus, I couldn’t ask for a better clinic family to serve with! I would have never met this work family if I hadn’t moved from Washington. My husband, Travis, and I moved to Huron, South Dakota, three years ago after we bought his grandfather’s house. (My husband’s family is from this region.) We both wanted to experience life outside of Washington, and this felt like the perfect spot. Since we have been here, we’ve loved exploring our new state and being outside. We love exploring a landscape so different from what I grew up with in Washington.

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3 Noodle Hacks You Have to Try After Pool Season Don’t Throw Away Those Pool Noodles!

You may only have a few more weeks of great pool weather left, so soak it up while you can! Afterward, you may find yourself taking stock of the pool toys that survived this season or notice an end-of-season sale on pool noodles. Don’t scoff! These fun pool toys can also be handy tools around the home.

so you have one piece for every spring. Then, cut the noodle pieces lengthwise and fit them over the springs. You may need to replace the noodles every few months, but fingers and hair will be protected from those sturdy metal jaws. Relieve Pain As we age, life takes its toll, so why not have a little cushion? A pool noodle is an easy solution for this. You can cut a pool noodle the length of your keyboard, and then cut it in half to create a soft and affordable wrist guard at your desk. Try the same method with ladder rungs to protect your knees and shins or cover handles with noodles for an easier grip!

Check out these affordable life hacks that are all thanks to the common pool noodle.

Protect Your Vehicle Create extra padding and prevent scratches and dings just by manipulating a few pool noodles. If you have a tight garage space, cut pool noodles lengthwise and slide them over garage beams, work benches, or other items that are frequently hit by your car door. The noodle will take the blow, and your car won’t get dinged! Another easy way to protect your car is to attach pool noodles to the top of a vehicle’s luggage rack. This will prevent your cargo from scratching the top of your vehicle! (Just be sure to strap everything down so it doesn’t slide off.) Stop the Pinch Pool weather may be ending, but trampoline season is still in full swing. Despite how fun trampolines can be, they can be risky. But pool noodles can help relieve some of your fears. Simply measure the length of a single spring on your trampoline and cut pool noodles into same-length sections

Need a few more noodle hacks in your life? Reader’s Digest has you covered. Check out their extensive list online at RD.com.

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST “Great place to go to the dentist — they are caring and listen to what you would like done and not pushy to do things. Very welcoming and knowledgeable! Best place I have been to. Dr. Engels is very nice and thorough in his work. Highly recommend! Megan Rounds is a very good hygienist! Fun to talk to and great at explaining the procedures!” –Mary K.

“By far the best in their field of work. Would recommend them to anyone and everyone, excellent service and excellent experience.” –Frank D. “Megan did a great job cleaning my teeth and was fun to listen to and visit with. She’s very knowledgeable.” –Donna B.

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What’s That Smell? HOW TO GET FRESH BREATH!

Happy (maybe belated) National Fresh Breath Day! Unless you’re a dentist or in dental marketing, you may have no idea that this seemingly small, strange holiday even exists, but it does — on Aug. 6, to be exact. It’s wise not to ignore this day, as it can serve as an important reminder to keep your mouth clean, fresh, and balanced. So, what is bad breath? Those noxious fumes wafting from your mouth could be the result of any number of scenarios. Simply eating or drinking something potent, like coffee, garlic, or onions, can produce sulfides, which cause the smell to linger. You could also be eating too many sweets. The bad bacteria in your mouth love to feed on these sugary morsels, and the plaque buildup

could start to stink. Other factors include drinking too much alcohol or smoking and chewing tobacco. Some people may also struggle with chronic halitosis (chronic bad breath). In some serious cases, this could be a symptom of an underlying medical issue, an allergy symptom, or the result of medication. If you’re concerned, let us know. We can help you find the cause! Ew! How do you fix it? As with any dental issue, the best way to prevent and treat smelly breath is to regularly brush and floss your teeth. This removes stuck-on food particles, sugar, and plaque buildup, all of which could be contributing to your bad breath. (Don’t forget to brush your tongue and replace your toothbrush regularly!)

If you can’t brush your teeth the moment you catch the smell, popping a piece of sugar-free gum or a mint into your mouth could do the trick. Try rinsing with water, drinking more water, or eating mild food, like carrots or bell peppers, to scrub away at your teeth and gums. Treatment for more chronic cases of halitosis could mean changes to your diet and lifestyle choices and potential adjustments to your treatment for serious medical conditions. Before doing this, please consult with dental professionals. We can help you find a solution that fits into your lifestyle and restores the balance of smell in your mouth!

Have a Laugh!

Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!)

Inspired by BonAppetit.com

Bon Appétit magazine calls tomato and watermelon “soul mates,” and they’re right! This surprising gourmet salad will be a hit at your next barbecue.

Ingredients • 1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed • 1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into 1/2- inch cubes • 2 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 8 oz feta cheese, cut into 1/2- inch cubes • Sea salt, to taste

Directions 1. In a small saucepan, sauté spices and herbs in the coconut oil for 3 minutes over medium heat to create turmeric oil. Take the pan off of the heat, then let it cool. 2. Combine the watermelon, tomatoes, and feta on a large platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with cooled turmeric oil. Now, simply sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!

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530 Iowa Ave. SE #102 Huron, SD 57350 605-352-8753

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be

Inside This Issue

Meet Kendra, Our Dental Assistant! PAGE 1 Save Your Pool Noodles for an Easier Life PAGE 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! PAGE 2 Fresh Breath Is Easier Than You Think! PAGE 3 Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!) PAGE 3 Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog PAGE 4

precious items as they could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat-herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.

Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog

“I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You’ll be fine,’” Roland Hendel told ABC News.

This Great Pyrenees Guided His Goats Through a Wildfire

Both Hendels were sure they were seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened.

“In the distance, I saw Odin’s tail,” Roland told ABC. “Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats.”

Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible story made the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail-wagging, treat-eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.

In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog. Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and

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