Sabal Dental Rockdale - September 2020

Sabal Dental Rockdale - September 2020

September 2020

307 Childress Drive Rockdale, TX 76567 |

SabalDentalRockdale.com | (512) 446-5886

Dentistry Has Always Been My Passion

How I Got Here

Hi, everyone! My name is Dr. Beau Blankenship, and I am thrilled to join the Sabal Dental team here in Rockdale, Texas. As a lifelong Texan, I couldn’t imagine a better place to continue practicing than in a dental office that reminds me so much of the small, friendly practice I went to (and loved!) as a little kid. I grew up in a small town in the Texas panhandle called Borger, Texas. Even as a teen, I knew I wanted to pursue work in the health care field. In high school, I took a health occupations course, which included visits to various hospitals, operating rooms, nursing homes, and then,

I graduated from dental school in 2006 and began my career in Houston, Texas. I have enjoyed watching dentistry evolve throughout the years, as my career has grown with it. We get to discover so many new tools in our field, and the new devices directly impact the lives of our clients. It’s fun to watch the field grow, but I love every aspect of changing someone’s life through their smile. We see this change happen almost instantly! I’m really looking forward to continuing to grow in this practice. From the moment I toured it, I knew Sabal Dental was the place for me and my family. My wife and

I live with my wife and four kids (the fourth not pictured!)

of course, dental practices. I was immediately drawn to dentistry. I loved the artistry behind the craft and the idea of making someone feel better just by touching up their smile. Since I was determined to become a dentist, I got to work making that dream a reality sooner rather than later. I graduated high school a year early and headed off to college, where I finished another year early, landing me in dental school when I was just 20 years old. I was so excited to finally be digging into a craft I had been curious about since high school. I soon learned that dental school was much more than straightening teeth and smiling. Dental school was challenging, but I am always up for a challenge and my determination paid off.

I have four kids who keep us busy. I love spending time with my family and look forward to exploring Rockdale and being a part of the community. Landing at Sabal Dental is one advantage of this year’s pandemic. It is the perfect place for my family and my career. If you’re heading into the office, make sure you say hi! I can’t wait to get to know each of you. In the short time I’ve been here, it’s already begun to feel like home. Thank you for the warm welcome, and see you soon!

–Dr. Beau Blankenship

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Shop Online Like a Pro 3 WAYS TO SAVE ON TRENDY BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUYS

Shopping online is tricky in the best of times, but it’s doubly trying when your kids’ opinions are involved. If back- to-school shopping is challenging in your house, try these tricks to hunt down the backpack, pencil

websites like RetailMeNot and Groupon, or streamline your

search by downloading a money- saving browser extension or app like Honey, which automatically checks for coupon codes and

bag, and lunchbox the kiddos are begging for without going over budget. 1. Opt for secondhand or refurbished items.

offers price comparisons. Other apps, like Flipp, let you view deals

from dozens of stores in one place. Remember to see if your favorite store has its own app, too — downloading it could grant you access to exclusive deals. 3. Don’t forget to factor in shipping. If you shop internationally, shipping can sometimes double the cost of an order. To save money, choose domestic retailers and check each website or app for shipping specials and discounts. Many websites offer free or reduced shipping for first- time customers or orders over a certain dollar amount. If you choose to shop somewhere without such a discount, check the shipping costs and factor them into your budget before you shop to avoid nasty surprises. If your kids are old enough, consider talking them through this process as you shop. Who knows, this could be a great back-to-school lesson in budgeting!

If your kid is dying to have the same Parkland Kingston Plus Backpack that celebrities’ kids were flaunting last year, you might be able to snag one secondhand for half the price. The

same goes for the popular PLAE Max Shoes or even electronics like iPads. Check out online retailers like JemJem or Gazelle for refurbished electronics, and try the Poshmark app for bags, shoes, and clothes. If you really want to get fancy, visit TheRealReal.com for luxury-brand clothing. 2. Always check discount apps and websites. If you’re not at least Googling “[store name] coupon code” before checking out online, you’re probably missing out on big savings. Visit popular coupon

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST “This place is WONDERFUL! I will continue to come to this location and bring my family! Everyone from the front desk worker to the dentist were passionate about their job, provided quality work, and did it with nothing but smiles. They made me laugh and made me feel like I “Always great! Love everybody there. If one wants to enjoy going to a dentist, this is the place!” – Agnes W.

knew them all my life. If you’re looking for a dental office that can make you feel welcomed and a part of the family, this is THE ONE!” – Tasha F.

“I have such anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist, and they are so patient and understanding with me and work with my budget as well! The staff is just awesome!” – Jennifer A.

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associated with emotional and behavioral problems. The study, published March 26, 2020, included a cross- sectional sample of 556 8-year-olds at 20 public schools in Brazil to try to pinpoint the cause of SB. Parents and caregivers observed their children for symptoms related to SB and also provided information about any emotional or behavioral problems the children might be having. The study found that SB was a common condition in over 30% of the children in the sample, and there was a higher prevalence of it in children with reported social, emotional, and behavioral problems. The Impact of Sleep Bruxism While SB is considered a normal sporadic condition for children, if it’s regular and intense, it can harm the child. Constant teeth grinding can result in moderately to severely damaged teeth, pain, and restless sleep. What’s more, if the condition isn’t caught early, it can cause severe facial and jaw problems, such as a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Sleep Bruxism in Children Causes and Consequences

When parents check on their children sleeping in the next room, they want to hear the sounds of easy sleep: slow, rhythmic breathing and the occasional sigh or two. However, sometimes they might hear a soft grinding noise. This is when a child clenches or grinds their teeth together, which is called bruxism. Diurnal Bruxing and Sleep Bruxism In children, two types of bruxism occur unconsciously. Diurnal bruxing is when a child grinds their teeth throughout the day, often without realizing they’re doing it. This is the easiest to fix because once brought to the child’s attention, measures can be taken to address it. Sleep

If you notice your child is suffering from SB, it’s time to take action. Talk to your dentist to learn what you can

bruxism (SB) also occurs unconsciously, but because the child is asleep, they cannot consciously stop doing it. The Reason Behind Sleep Bruxism

do for your child to help them through this and to preserve their bright, healthy smile.

A recent American Dental Association study has shown that the prevalence of SB in children is often

Have a Laugh

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa

Ingredients • 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions 1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

Sabal General Dentistry • (512) 446-5886 • 3

Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

307 Childress Drive Rockdale, TX 76567 SabalDentalRockdale.com (512) 446-5886

Inside This Issue

Dr. Beau Blankenship Joins the Team! Page 1 Shop Online for Your Kids Like a Pro Page 2 Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 Be Aware of This Common but Harmful Sleep Condition Page 3 Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Page 3 The Truth Behind the 21st Night of September Page 4

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE 21ST NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER? 4 Decades of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’

“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

White and Willis proved to be excellent songwriting partners, but they clashed over one key element of the song: the nonsensical phrase “ba-dee-ya,” which White included in the chorus. Throughout the songwriting process, Willis begged to change the phrase to real words. At the final vocal session, Willis finally demanded to know what ba-dee-ya meant. White replied, “Who cares?” “I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him,” Willis recalled in a 2014 interview with NPR, “which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” The groove is why “September” has stood the test of time, right from that very first lyric. For decades, people have asked Willis and members of the band about the significance of Sept. 21. As it turns out, there isn’t much beyond the sound. “We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth …’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st,” Willis explained.

In 1978, Maurice White of the band Earth, Wind & Fire first asked this question in the song “September,” a funky

disco song that quickly topped the charts. While disco may be dead today, “September” certainly isn’t. The song is still featured in movies, TV shows, and wedding playlists. On Sept. 21, 2019, the

funk hit was streamed over 2.5 million times. It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 Earth, Wind & Fire Day. The story behind “September” is almost as enduring as the song itself. It was co-written by White and Allee Willis, who eventually became a Grammy-winning songwriter and Tony nominee. But before any of that, Willis was a struggling songwriter in Los Angeles living off food stamps. When White reached out and asked Willis to help write the next Earth, Wind & Fire hit, it was truly her big break.

The truth is that nothing happened on the 21st night of September — except a whole lot of dancing.

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