Sabal Dentistry November 2018

Sabal Dentistry November 2018

November 2018

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

www.SabalDental.com

361-729-1333

|

Blessings of the Season Celebrating Thanksgiving Traditions

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I have been ready to celebrate Thanksgiving since September. My family had pumpkins in our house well before October. Summer lasted long enough; I was more than ready to usher in the fall season early and start planning for my favorite holiday.

“No matter who we’re with, Thanksgiving is always a fun time full of love and great food.”

My sisters are all quite a bit older than I am, and my memories of childhood Thanksgivings are about getting together with my sisters and my grandparents to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. Each year, we prepared dinner up until the last possible minute, and before we said the blessing over the meal, we took a moment to talk about what we were all thankful for. This is a tradition that continues to this day. My husband’s family always gets together at his aunt and uncle’s house. With John’s family so spread out, Thanksgiving is the one time of year they can all get together. We alternate who we celebrate holidays with, spending Thanksgiving with one side of the family, Christmas with the other, and then swapping it for the next year. No matter who we’re with, Thanksgiving is always a fun time full of love and great food. I love traditional Thanksgiving food. You can bet my plate will be full of turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, and, of course, pumpkin pie. Beyond the great food, one thing I really love about Thanksgiving is how it ushers you into the holiday season. These next several weeks will get pretty crazy, and I really value the opportunity to get together with loved ones. The warmth of the holiday helps get your heart in the right place. I have a box set of the Peanuts holiday specials, and nothing warms my heart quite like

watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Plus, this is around the time that stores start to play Christmas music. I look

forward to hearing Christmas music while I’m out shopping and watching Hallmark Christmas movies at home. I do love Christmas, but Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. During Christmastime, the kids are more focused on the excitement of getting presents, and parents are focused on the stress of buying presents. Thanksgiving doesn’t have that baggage. It’s nice to have a holiday that encourages everyone to take some time to remember what they are thankful for. This past year, I have been getting back into fitness, so I am really thankful for my health, the health of my family, and my ability to help maintain the health of my family. I am also thankful for how much Rockport accomplished in the last year. Last Thanksgiving, we were still recovering from Hurricane Harvey. I am truly grateful to see how much our community has been able to rebuild and thrive. It has been a privilege to be a part of Rockport, and I feel thankful to call this community home. Happy Thanksgiving. May you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful day together with a great meal and lots of fun.

–Dr. Valerie Sperry

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Thanksgiving Prep for the Whole Family

Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming

the stove while an adult checks on the football game. Roll Out the Decorations

together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the

Still not talking about bread. Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own Finally. While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. personal spin on the holiday! Have a ‘Roller Derby’ Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have something to be thankful for right in front of you — Those. Delicious. Rolls.

actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family!

Give Everyone a Role No, not those rolls — yet. Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match

each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and may be called upon to stir what’s on

What Our Patients Are Saying............

“Angela at the front desk is awesome! It is nice to walk into a business and feel welcome, and she is always smiling and very polite! Dr. Sperry is great — I had a filling done and she was so gentle. It is the next day, and I am not even a bit sore. The staff is very professional and nice. Will definitely be back.” –Johnny M.

“The dental hygienist was prompt, efficient, and personable. She explained the procedures before initiating each one. She offered helpful information for wellness care outside of the dentist’s office (i.e., water pick flosser). Dr. Sperry was professional and friendly. Overall — very positive experience!” –Pat R.

“This is the best dentist office in Rockport. Very professional staff. They are very friendly and make you feel like family. I will never go

anywhere else.” –Anonymous

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choking hazard and a swallowed tooth will pass through your child’s

SHOULD PARENTS HELP PULL LOOSE BABY TEETH?

body without any trouble. At most, you may have to help your child write a letter to the

Losing baby teeth is a rite of passage for children. It’s a sign that they are growing up! Many parents are excited to be part of this experience and re-enact the traditions of their childhood. How many of you remember a parent tying one end of a string to your tooth and the other to a doorknob, helping the tooth come out with a single slam? This “trick” for getting out a loose tooth is a time-honored tradition — and it’s also one of the worst ways to handle a loose baby tooth! You should never force a tooth to come out before it’s ready. If a tooth is yanked out before the root is fully dissolved, the root can break and cause a great deal of pain. Forcing a tooth out can also damage gum tissue or the surrounding teeth, leading to infection. Some parents want to get loose teeth out of their child’s mouth as soon as possible because they’re worried the tooth will get swallowed by accident. If this happens, you don’t have to be alarmed. A baby tooth is not a

tooth fairy explaining what happened.

If your child is begging you to take out their loose tooth, don’t go searching for the string. Instead,

take a tissue and gently apply pressure on the tooth with two fingers. The tooth should pop right out. However, if the tooth resists or your child complains about any pain, leave the tooth alone a little longer. The best way to deal with a loose tooth is to have patience and let your child wiggle their tooth until it falls out on its own. Loose teeth will fall out when the time is right.

Have a Laugh

Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.

Ingredients • 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Directions 1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.

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Inside This Issue

What Are You Thankful For? Page 1 Let Kids Play a Role This Thanksgiving Page 2 Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 The Right Way to Handle Loose Baby Teeth Page 3 Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes Page 3 What to Talk About This Thanksgiving Page 4

Dodging Thanksgiving Awkwardness Conversations Appropriate for the Dinner Table

3. Dad did what as a kid? Getting to know your relatives, friends, and significant others better will only strengthen those bonds. You’ll likely hear some interesting stories you can share with others and forge a stronger connection with your relatives. 4. Stupid human tricks, anyone?

Thanksgiving conversation is often a minefield of topics: political divides, your English degree, and Aunt Marjory’s insistence that you meet her neighbor’s cousin’s dog walker’s uncle’s son who’s a fantastic up-and-coming podiatrist. Between constantly passing the potatoes and dodging your relatives’ questions, Thanksgiving can be an exhausting holiday. But it’s a day to be grateful for what and whom you have in your life, so why do so many people leave their annual gatherings feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood? This year, when the conversation begins steering in an awkward direction, try these conversation starters for a more relaxing and fulfilling holiday. 1. What’s your pet been up to? Maybe Fluffy learned a new trick or Oscar is undergoing some intensive grooming next week. Whatever the case may be, people love to talk about their pets. 2. What Thanksgiving dish can you not live without? Without going culinary critic on your grandma’s meal, gush about your favorite dish. Just like with pets, people love discussing foods and recipes. You may start a fun debate or a recipe swap with this question.

Let’s see those double joints! This one might not be for the squeamish at the dinner table, but it’s a fun, goofy activity that’s best shared over a glass of after-dinner wine. 5. How about we get coffee? Sometimes part of the stress of answering your relatives’ questions stems from holiday pressures. It may force you to address your bank account, love life, and general life choices. If you really do want to talk about your job or your love life with relatives, suggest meeting up again without the holiday atmosphere. While you’re all in one place trying to enjoy a piece of pie, plan a family winery tour, beach day, or camping trip. Family situations will always be a little stressful, but without the pressure of the holidays, you might feel more relaxed.

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