J. Sabo - October 2019

J. Sabo - October 2019

Highland Springs HERALD

October 2019

701 Highland Springs Avenue, Suite 12 Beaumont, CA 92223 www.tmjandsleepapnea.com babylaser.com 951.769.1616

Working Together

M any patients’ fears or anxieties smells. Combine these with reclining on your back while providers look into your mouth, using water and suction in the deep, dark hole you breathe through — it’s no wonder this experience can provoke anxiety! You may think, “What is going on in my mouth with all those tools anyways?” This fear of the unknown and unfamiliar can be very powerful. One of the scariest parts of medical and dental care for my childhood self was immunizations! I was never afraid of the doctor or the dentist, but when those needles came out, so did my fear. Now that I’m a dentist and administer shots myself, that fear is gone. I know what to expect when giving or getting a shot, and I understand why it matters. This knowledge is one of the handiest tools in my toolbox when I’m helping a patient overcome all sorts of dental anxieties. When it comes to kiddos, I use a “tell, show, do” behavioral technique. This makes their appointment fun and interactive, and it removes the unknown factor. Instead of fear, the young patient is curious and inquisitive. The only time I avoid showing a child what I’m doing is when I have to administer a shot. Most often, we are able to administer the shot without the child knowing it happened (thanks to fabulous topical jellies). It’s a great feeling when a kiddo leaps out of the dental chair and says, “See, Mom, I didn’t have to get a shot!” Mom and I wink and move on. I will never lie to a patient, however. So, if the child outright asks, “Do I need a shot?” I will always answer honestly. I talk them through this “big, scary” step, so surrounding dental treatment stem from fear of the unknown. Our office is filled with noisy equipment and “sterile”

Overcoming Your Dental Fears

This knowledge is one of the handiest tools in my toolbox when I’m helping a patient overcome all sorts of dental anxieties.

they understand it’s not as intimidating as it looks. My honesty sets a precedence that they can trust me, and it develops a long-term trust in dental care.

For those with sleep-disordered breathing conditions or craniofacial disorders, these fears can be further multiplied due to a lowered threshold for sharing their airway or pain tolerance. At our office, we make a conscious effort to include these nondental factors in our appointment preparations. Your comfort is our priority. We do our best to actively listen to each patient to understand their fears. Our relationship has to be built on mutual trust. Once I know what the concern is, we can address the fear together. I would never expect a patient to overcome their dental anxiety alone. You always have someone in your corner when you’re sitting in my office.

If you are afraid of the dentist or if dental anxiety has kept you from regular appointments, I’d be more than happy to help. We can conquer this together!

God bless,

–Dr. Jessica Sabo

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Tails From the Past

Mythical Cats of the World

feline deity of protection, is a lion-headed woman in battle. But, over the course of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today. 招き猫 (Maneki-Neko) — Japan

Most owners will tell you their cats act like ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the

Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive, but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota li got caught in a rainstorm while hunting and took shelter under a tree near the temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Freya’s Skogkatts — Norway In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady.

internet by storm, humans have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. Bastet — Egypt Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the

When Should You Schedule Your Baby’s First Dentist Appointment? Baby’s First Dental Exam

From day one, new parents are inundated with care plans and tips for their baby. Despite the stress of added tasks, parents do all they can to ensure a healthy baby. One of the most vital components of a child’s healthy development is regular dental appointments. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see the dentist for the first time when they are 1 year old or six months after their first tooth pokes through the gums. Dr. Jessica Sabo’s practice accepts patients younger than that, too. (We had an adorable week-old sweetie in to check her tongue tie!) At this young age, the appointments are as much for the parents as they are for the little one. We teach proper brushing techniques and offer advice on anomalies to look for as the little one develops. In addition, the sooner you bring your infant to the dentist, the easier it is to foster a healthy dental connection. It’s difficult to establish a good relationship and prevent dental anxiety when we are seeing a child

for the first time at age 4 to fill cavities. But if this 4-year- old had been regularly seeing the dentist since their first tooth erupted, they may not be as scared. There’s a good chance their cavity risk would have been lowered, too. Beyond general dentistry, regular dental appointments can provide consistent monitoring of your child’s craniofacial development

and muscular postures and habits. Our dental experts at Dr. Jessica Sabo’s office are looking for a lip or tongue tie, closed-lip nasal breathing and correct swallowing patterns. Catching irregularities early and correcting these functional habits through therapy, appliances, and/ or procedures can limit the negative impact of incorrect positioning on growth.

The dental experts at Dr. Jessica Sabo’s office have the experience and knowledge to treat patients of all ages. Schedule your child’s first appointment by calling 951.769.1616.

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Candy Conundrum

Why It’s Okay to Let Your Kids Have Candy This Halloween

Hi, everyone! Dr. Sabo here again.

Fall is a fun time for us all. Along with the change in seasons come all the tasty fall treats: cinnamon- spiked cider, pumpkin pie, and, of course, Halloween candy. There are few things more exciting for kiddos than dressing up as their favorite characters and collecting FREE candy! Contrary to what many people may believe about dentists, I’m not a curmudgeon when it comes to handing out candy. In addition to a new toothbrush, I hand out fun treats as well! Now, what to do with all the sweet loot your child brings home? As a child, I used to enjoy the fruity varieties like Skittles in my bag of goodies. Now that I’m a dentist, I understand that my preference for these candies may not have been the best choice for my teeth. Sticky, sour candies are harder to remove from between the tooth surfaces and can lead to the burning of the enamel. This burning comes from an acid that the bacteria excrete after feeding on the sugar left behind. In our house, I’ve taught my kids to choose a few handfuls of treats they’d like to keep. We place these in a jar and donate the rest to care packages for our troops abroad. The kids then get to choose one piece a day — pairing it with a meal is best, like as a dessert after dinner — which decreases the exposure time of the sugar to the bacteria in our mouths. When candy is enjoyed in moderation and brushing and flossing occurs twice each day, we are doing our best to defend against sugar’s harmful effects. It is my hope that these independent choices fostered NOW will translate into a lifetime of healthy choices!

Learn more oral health tips for the whole family at your biannual appointments. Schedule yours by calling 951.769.1616.

Have a Laugh

Sudoku

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www.tmjandsleepapnea.com babylaser.com 951.769.1616

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701 Highland Springs Avenue Suite 12 Beaumont, CA 92223

Inside This Issue Fear Not

Amazing Cat Tales When Should Your Kids Go to the Dentist? It’s Okay to Have Candy! (In Moderation) Take a Break

Be All You Can Bee

Be All You Can Bee And Give Honey a Second Thought

The health benefits of raw organic honey, which include soothing sore throats, lowering cholesterol, and treating skin wounds, have been embraced by many members of the holistic health community for decades. But with the rapid decline of the bee population in recent years, humans’ use of honey has become more controversial. According to the New York Bee Sanctuary, bees (not just honey-makers) are disappearing for several reasons, but one of the most unfortunate contributors is the honey industry. In order to mass-produce commercial honey products, many

factories have resorted to industrialized beekeeping practices, which have been deemed unethical by animal activist groups because they strip hives of their honey storage, starving the bees through the winter months. This practice, along with soil contamination and a viral infection spread by mites, led to the devastating loss of 40% of all bee colonies last year. Because most bees are pollinators, they play a crucial role in helping plants reproduce. Without the bees playing their part in this natural process, approximately 30% of the world’s crops won’t flourish. Fortunately, you can help strengthen the bee population in a few ways from your own home. First, try to avoid purchasing any commercialized honey products of questionable quality and provenance. Instead, look for raw local honey at a farmer’s market. That way, you can meet the beekeeper to determine if their honey-rendering practices are sustainable. Then, by purchasing their product, you are helping fund their hive and enrich the local bee population. You can also plant a garden full of bee-friendly plants, like honeysuckle, strawberries, sunflowers, and cosmos, to give the bees in your community more pollen sources. Additionally, if you notice dandelions growing in your garden, leave them. They are a great food source for bees, especially in early spring before other plants have started blooming. While honey has many excellent health properties, bees are far more vital to the world’s sustainability. Do your part to help their population by researching, spreading awareness, and thinking before you shop for honey. 4