Huron Smiles - February 2021

Huron Smiles - February 2021

HuronSmiles Simple and Stress Free What Dentistry Should Be

February 2021

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

| 605-352-8753 |

Meet Dr. Gene Ingles! HURON SMILES’ NEW DENTIST

while there was inherent credibility when I joined him, I wanted to create my own identity as a dentist and grow more professionally. I knew my dad’s retirement was on the horizon, and I wanted to be ready to take my next step when the time came. I also did this because I was passionate regarding cosmetic dentistry — and I still am today! Part of my passion for cosmetic dentistry comes from my fascination with the advances in dental technology. For years, I followed these advances by participating in continuing education seminars, notably at the Dawson Center in Florida. The continued training taught me a lot about how to deal more effectively with complex cases. Advances in dentistry have included dental implants. While I have been restoring implants for over 20 years, in recent years, I’ve also pursued surgical training for implant placement. Patients really appreciate when we can provide complete care for them under one roof. You can probably tell I’m a constant student of the game! While cosmetic and restorative dental cases can be incredibly complex and often require multiple visits, I’ve learned over the years that it’s truly gratifying to put a tooth and a smile back together in a natural and esthetic manner. To provide such care, I as a practitioner have to have the professional experience as well as the education but also have the ability to build trust and nurture relationships with my patients. Getting to know my patients and understanding their needs and desires are part of building that relationship. In return, I’m so gratified to

This month, we’re saying goodbye to Dr. Gorena and Dr. Morales and welcoming Dr. Gene Ingles to the practice! We want to thank Dr. Gorena and Dr. Morales for their dedication to Huron Smiles and the community. We know they’ve been proud to serve you all and have created great memories during their time with us. We wish them all the best and invite you to get to know Dr. Ingles, who we know will be a great fit at Huron Smiles and continue our practice of treating patients like family! –Dr. Valerie Drake Gene Ingles here! I’m honored to step in as the new dentist at Huron Smiles, a practice that reminds me a lot of my own family’s practice outside Chicago, where I worked alongside my father, a dentist, and my sister, a hygienist, for over 30 years. While that was truly a family practice, I’m the eldest of five, and my two brothers and one other sister didn’t go the dental route! As you might imagine, seeing my dad work as a dentist influenced my choice to study dentistry, though even without his influence, I think I would have studied medicine of some sort. My dad and I even graduated from the same university, Loyola, in Chicago. My dad taught me a lot about working in a general dental practice. We saw patients from ages 3 to 93 at that good old-fashioned, bread- and-butter practice. While I continued to work at the family practice with my dad, from 2001–2009, I opened a second practice that focused on cosmetic dentistry. My father was very established in our community and

feel my patients’ appreciation for getting them their smiles back!

This is a big part of what drew me to Huron Smiles — the staff is really focused on building relationships with their patients, and the patients are really appreciative of the service the staff provides. If I had to pick my favorite thing about working in the dental field, it would be the relationships I build over time and that I get to help people feel good about themselves. In my past practice, my patients became part of my dental family, and when I saw that the same is true at Huron Smiles, I knew this would be a good fit for me. I’ve also taken note of how friendly the people in town are. Huron feels a lot like where I grew up and practiced for 30 years, and I enjoy the slower pace of life here and how much easier it is to get to know people in a small community. I’m really happy that I won’t have to battle traffic in the mornings to get to work, either! Outside of work, I’m big into health and nutrition. I love to work out, be outdoors, go fishing, and go biking. If you know any great bike routes or local fishing holes, I’d love to talk about them when I meet you at your next appointment. –Gene Ingles

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A SIMPLE WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR DAY! THE CALENDAR OF ‘THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO’

Many families have faced disappointment in one way or another. Since early last year, countless activities and events have been canceled, and people had to skip many family vacations and get-togethers. Though it is a new year, it’s still going to be a while before normal activities and events will be scheduled, meaning there might not be a whole lot to look forward to, which can be disheartening. So, why not change that and give yourself and your family something to look forward to? A great way to improve your day — or week, month, or even year — is to write down things you’re excited about. In an article on Lifehacker. com, one mom talked about how she improved the overall mood of her family by creating a calendar of things to look forward to every week. In a post on Facebook, she wrote, “I wanted something for me and my kids to look forward to each day, so I posted a list to my fridge of the days of the week

and one fun thing each day. (Like Taco Tuesday, Takeout Thursday, Dance Party Friday, Movie & Popcorn Sunday.)” It’s an idea anyone can easily implement. Create themed days (like game night or park day) or create a schedule of fun things. Write down when the next show or movie you’re interested in will be available to stream. You can do the same for a new book or video game that may be coming out and apply the concept to virtually anything. The important thing is that you write it down on a calendar so you can see it. When you or your family glance at the calendar and see what’s coming up, it elevates your mood and boosts your day. And the more things you’re looking forward to, the better! Give it a try and get everyone in the family involved. When you need a little extra joy in your life, this is an incredibly simple way to achieve it!

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

“By far the best in their field of work. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. Excellent service and excellent experience.” –Frank. “Very friendly people. The dentists are nice, and Libby is the most gentle and thorough hygienist to ever clean my teeth!” –Tracy

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3 WAYS TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT BRUSHING THEIR TEETH

Good dental hygiene starts at a young age. As parents know, it can be challenging at times to motivate kids to keep their teeth clean. What can you do if your kids simply aren’t interested in brushing, flossing, or rinsing? How can you instill these habits and get the ball rolling? It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! This month, we wanted to spotlight a few ways to get your kids excited (or, at least, motivated) to keep their teeth looking their best. Here are a few ideas to get you and your kids started. Make it a game. A rule of thumb is that you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Most of us, kids included, usually fall short of this. Here’s what you can do: Get a timer and set it for two minutes. Then get your brushes ready and go! Whoever brushes

for the full two minutes gets two points. Anyone who stops brushing during that time only gets one point. Then at the end of the week or month, tally up the points. Whoever has the most wins! Kids go head-to-head against one another — or against the grown-ups. Throw in prizes for a little extra fun! Let your kids pick their toothbrushes. Fun toothbrushes are just that — fun! When shopping for a new brush, let the kids pick their own. They can choose from different colors or characters — just as long as it’s a soft-bristled brush. At the same time, let them pick their own toothpaste. This is something that often goes overlooked. Sometimes, mint can be overwhelming for younger kids, so a fruitier or milder flavor is a good way to encourage them to brush better.

Reward good habits. While we may be talking about practicing good oral care habits, this tip really applies to any good habits. They should be encouraged and rewarded. Much like the game, kids get points every time they brush. As they accumulate points, they can cash them in for prizes. Make up a schedule of prizes that they can choose from. Maybe for 10 points, they can get a small reward. If they save up 100 points, they get a much bigger prize. You can also add points for flossing and rinsing — and bonus points for brushing for the full two minutes.

Have a Laugh!

Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Ingredients • 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed • 3/4 cup natural creamy almond butter (can substitute creamy peanut butter) • 2 large eggs • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray. 3. In a large bowl, mix bananas,

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup oat flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup strawberry fruit spread, divided (we recommend Bonne Maman INTENSE) 5. Evenly divide batter into liners. Add 1 tsp strawberry fruit spread to the top of each muffin. 6. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the spread into the batter. 7. Bake for 22–27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Transfer muffins to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

almond butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

4. Stir in oat flour, baking

powder, and salt until smooth.

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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 Dr. Gene Ingles! PAGE 1 Improve Your Day With This Simple Life Hack PAGE 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! PAGE 2 Get Kids Excited About Brushing Their Teeth (Is it Possible?) PAGE 3 Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins PAGE 3 Can We Call Gum a Superfood? PAGE 4

The Incredible Benefits of Gum CHEWON THIS

You may have heard that chewing sugar-free gum can actually be good for your teeth, but did you know the benefits go beyond freshening your breath and cleaning your teeth? If you choose the right kind, find the right time, and have the right mindset, that little stick of gum can go a long way. Clean Your Teeth As long as it’s sugarless, chewing gum can be good for your teeth. But getting the most out of it is really all about timing. Pop a piece of sugarless gum into your mouth immediately after eating and chew for at least 20 minutes. You’ll help protect your teeth by removing food debris and increasing your saliva flow. More saliva can strengthen your tooth enamel because it has phosphates and calcium. Slim Your Waistline Chewing gum may only burn 11 calories per hour, but if you chew it over the course of a few hours a day, those numbers can add up. Some studies have shown that chewing gum can also help curb food cravings, which may help you make better eating decisions. One study done by the University of Liverpool found that gum chewers ate 36 fewer calories than

those who did not chew gum. Again, that might not sound like a lot, but it adds up.

Improve Your Memory The act of chewing gum increases blood flow to your brain. This has many positive effects, but an outstanding one is its effect on your memory. In some cases, chewing a stick of gum can lead to a 35% increase in short-term memory. And if you’re struggling to stay awake, some studies suggest that chewing mint gum can help you stay more alert. Fight Your Nausea Sugarless mint or ginger gum can help soothe an upset stomach because those two herbs are natural remedies for nausea. If you suffer from heartburn, chewing gum can also lower the acid levels in your esophagus and help reduce reflux. Who knew gum was such a wonder food? The next time you’re craving dessert, reach for a stick of gum instead, and thank yourself later.

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