Sabal Dental November 2017

November 2017

1406 Hwy 35 N, Suite C., Rockport, TX 78382 |

www.SabalDental.com

361-729-1333

|

Find Your Path Making My Home in Rockport

Have you ever realized the path you’re on isn’t the path you want to keep taking? We can make decisions with a vision of the future in mind, but as we get further along, we realize the decisions might not take us where we want to be. When we look around and realize we aren’t happy with where we are going, what do we do? To me, the answer is clear: We find a new path. I started college with the goal of becoming a psychology major. I’ve always enjoyed talking to people and learning how others view the world. But as I went down the path of psychology, it occurred to me I wasn’t enjoying the major at all. Seeing me take a step back, my then-boyfriend, John, suggested I work at his father’s

Rockport in 2014. We’re big fans of the beach, but there’s something special here in Rockport you can’t find anywhere else on the Gulf. Falling in love with the atmosphere and the laid-back community, we started visiting the area every year after that. I grew up in East Texas, but when I began to look for my own practice to buy, I set my sights on Rockport. That’s how I met Dr. Valerie Drake. She introduced me to Sabal Dentistry, and I was happy to buy into the practice! Currently, my husband is a stay-at-home dad with our two boys, and all three of them love our new home. All of you have been so welcoming, and I look forward to getting to know you better, to raising my kids in this community, and to being invested here for a long time.

dental office until I found my new path. Imagine my surprise when I realized dentistry was exactly where I wanted to be! I started to work as a dental assistant in 2004, the same year John and I got married. The hands-on side of dentistry really appealed to me, and after a few years, I went back to college. Equipped with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in chemistry, I started dental school. While in dental school, John and I decided that we wanted to start a family — we were so excited to be parents! Even though it made dental school more challenging, we were up for it, and we are so happy with our decision. Duncan is the light of my life, and we were so excited to welcome his brother, Logan, into our family shortly after graduation.

I’d only been practicing as a full-fledged dentist for about a year before my family took a vacation to

Dr. Valerie Sperry

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That Actually Work CLEANING ‘RIP-OFFS’

use less water, and as soap becomes more concentrated, using too much can

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But sometimes we stumble across a few hidden

damage your machine. That’s what makes detergent pods so handy. They don’t look like they can clean all your dishes or an entire load of clothes, but they actually provide the perfect amount for modern machines. You save money on detergent and machine repair! Foam Cleaning Blocks Anything with “magic” in the title sounds like a scam. For this reason, you may have avoided the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and similar melamine foam products. But this is one case where the product lives up to its wild claims. Melamine foam is abrasive and can break down and remove material from fine cracks and textures, making it an effective cleaner. It can be used to whiten sneakers, clean tub scum, and remove permanent marker from your fridge. Since the snake oil salesmen in the days of old first tricked trusting folks out of their hard-earned cash, consumers have wised up and are quick to write off perceived scams. Still, every now then you get lucky, and the cheap white sponge really does make the stove look like new. But you should still think twice before you say yes to gas station sushi.

gems that make our lives easier. And, when it comes to cleaning house, we can all use a little “easier.” Check out these products you may have already

written off and let them surprise you.

Dollar Store Cleaning Products If you’ve ever ducked into the local dollar store to buy some Mylar balloons for your niece’s birthday party, you might have noticed the jugs and spray bottles plastered with the word “Awesome.” Surely, this knock-off soap can’t work as well as your brand-name products, right? You’d be surprised. Online reviewers sing Awesome’s praises, suggesting it should really be a higher price for how well it works. Just make sure you wear gloves when you use it. Detergent Pods You use too much soap in your washing machine and dishwasher. At least, that’s what the New York Times reported as the No. 1 complaint from repair people and appliance experts. Modern appliances are designed to

Testimonials..........................................

“Sweet, caring, and very professional staff. I switched over to this place because I had heard such good things about them. And they were right! I think we have finally found our family dentistry location. Being that we are not from South Texas, it wasn’t an easy task to find such a wonderful team. Thank you for caring about your patients, new

“Very friendly and diligent ... I will always recommend that friends, family, and anyone come here. You’ll love it!” –Cynthia C. “Sabal Dental rocks! Everyone there was very courteous professional, and they definitely knew what they were doing. I would recommend Sabal Dental to everyone!” –Annette C.

and old!” –Ryan S.

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This Bad Advice Will Ruin Your Teeth

alcohol isn’t necessary for mouthwash to be effective. Alcohol just stabilizes the formula. It isn’t what kills germs or freshens breath. In fact, alcohol in mouthwash has been known to cause dry mouth, which can make your breath smell worse and lead to more germs. Studies from BioMed Research International found alcohol-free mouthwash may have a better effect on the gloss, color, and hardness of your teeth. Bleeding gums are often a symptom of gum disease or a warning that gum disease is on the horizon. When plaque is allowed to build, it hardens into tartar. This calcified material irritates your gums and can potentially wear them down. The only way to remove the damaging plaque buildup is to brush your gums regularly. Not brushing due to bleeding will only lead to further problems. However, it’s important to determine the cause of bleeding, as it may also have something to do with your toothbrush or diet. If your gums are bleeding regularly, let your dentist know. When we give advice, we certainly mean well, but the best of intentions don’t make up for bad results. Let’s stick to what we know and leave the dental advice to the experts. BAD ADVICE: Don’t brush bleeding gums; give them time to heal.

Most people like to be helpful. If someone is having a hard time, we’ll happily offer some advice. However, even the most well-intended advice can have damaging consequences. When it comes to our teeth, there is a lot of misinformation going around. Here are some common bits of “wisdom” you can ignore.

BAD ADVICE: Use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth.

Activated charcoal, which is not the same as the bricks in your barbecue, is the latest beauty craze, thanks to its ability to absorb chemicals and toxins. Walk down the health and beauty aisle, and you’ll find charcoal in soap, face masks, shampoo, moisturizer, and deodorant. However, before you use charcoal to whiten your teeth, remember most stains are beneath the surface, where the charcoal can’t reach. Furthermore, scrubbing the gritty, abrasive substance across your teeth is likely to erode your enamel and damage your gums, leading to more dental problems.

BAD ADVICE: The best kind of mouthwash has alcohol.

If your mouthwash burns, it likely contains alcohol. Some insist the burning means the mouthwash is working, but

Recipe inspired by kirantarun.com. It only takes 3 ingredients to make these crispy, flavorful potatoes. They’re the perfect side dish for any meal. ROASTED PARMESAN PESTO P O T A T O E S Have a Laugh

Ingredients • 2 lbs. red potatoes, quartered • 2 tablespoons basil pesto • Salt and pepper, to taste Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

• 3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese

2. In a large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to a large baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast 20 minutes and remove from oven. 3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over potatoes and put the pan back in the oven. Roast for an additional 10–15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crispy. Remove from oven and serve warm.

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Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1406 Hwy 35 N, Suite C. Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-1333 www.SabalDental.com

Inside This Issue

Hello, Rockport! Page 1 These Products Make Housework Easier! Page 2 Patient Testimonials Page 2 Can Tall Tales Destroy Your Teeth? Page 3 Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes Page 3 Remembering Dr. Garcia Page 4

Remembering Dr. Garcia

Dr. Garcia and I spent many wonderful days out hunting. I will never forget his amazing accuracy. We were driving one afternoon, and he noticed what looked like a tiny dark spot way down the sandero. He had me stop the truck, and BAM! We had all the pork we needed for a feast. It was quite the shot. I will miss these hunting trips, but more importantly, I’ll miss Dr. Garcia.

Dr. JM Garcia was one of my father’s best friends in dental school. They rode to class together, they studied together, and our families had dinners together and shared many adventures. Dr. Garcia was always on an adventure by land or sea. He loved to sail, fish, and fly. I grew up hearing about all the adventures and, of course, got to go on many fun trips with Dr. Garcia, as well. I have always looked up to Dr. Garcia. I remember him walking into our living room in the 1970s wearing a leather belt with his name on the back of it. I thought that was so cool and immediately had to have one just like him. I thought he was the coolest cowboy. My father and Dr. Garcia would talk about ranching just as much as they would talk about dentistry. There is no better friend than Dr. Garcia. Dr. Garcia loved being around family. He began practicing in my office in the Rio Grande Valley in 2008, helping out our practice and giving him a great excuse to be near family and friends in the Valley. This led to Dr. Garcia selling me his Rockport office in 2011, which allowed him to focus on what he loved most — taking care of patients.

His patients meant everything to him. He was happy to know that I was bringing on Dr. Valerie Sperry as a partner in the practice, as he loved her caring attitude and experience. I am proud that Dr. Valerie Sperry will continue with the care that Dr. Garcia gave to his patients.

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