Sabal General Dentistry Harlingen September 2018

Sabal General Dentistry Harlingen September 2018

September 2018

321 S. 13th St., Ste. 101, Harlingen, TX 78550 |

www.SabalDental.com

(956) 428-5300

|

Growing and Learning The Most Important Lesson From School

On my first day of kindergarten, I was very nervous. I remember crying a lot when my mom dropped me off for class. To be honest, I was pretty nervous every day about going to kindergarten. Like a lot of little kids, I really didn’t want to be away from my mom. Fortunately, my kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Basset, one of the sweetest women I have ever met. Mrs. Basset was exactly how you picture a kindergarten teacher should be. She was patient and took the time to make me feel calm and welcomed every day. Though I dreaded going to school, once I was there, Mrs. Basset made me feel at home. Mrs. Basset was like a second mom to me, and I will always be grateful for how she helped my school experience get off to a good start.

“You don’t have to be naturally smart or talented, because if you are willing to work hard and put in the time, you can learn and excel at pretty much anything.”

but my school experience taught me you can decide to work hard and have a good personality. And when you have those two things, you will go far.

This is a lesson I keep in mind to this day. When you decide to become a dentist, your education doesn’t stop just because you graduated dental school. I sign up for continuing education courses all throughout the year, allowing my team and me to brush up on our knowledge or learn something new. Recently, we’ve taken courses on new dental implants, how to create a strong office culture, and how to use a new teeth-whitening technique. These courses can be really diverse, but no matter what the CE course is about, I’m always excited to learn something new. I credit this passion to my teachers over the years. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing, which is why it’s so important for teachers to inspire their students to never stop learning. It’s a big responsibility, but I know there are many wonderful teachers, like Mrs. Basset, who are more than up for the challenge. As we settle back into a new school year, I want to celebrate all the amazing teachers out there. Thank you for everything you do and good luck this year! – Dr. Diana Cabrera Sabal Dental - Harlingen Office • (956) 428-5300 • 1

Teachers have such a big responsibility on their plates. They have to balance educating, parenting, disciplining, and protecting dozens of kids under their care every day. It’s not an easy task, and teachers don’t get nearly enough credit for the work they do. They don’t have to try to make learning fun or help kids who feel anxious, but many of them do. The teachers who stand out in my memory are the ones who always made a point of helping students feel calm and who took a personal interest in seeing us succeed. I had the privilege of getting to see a lot of great teaching on my path to dentistry, but interestingly enough, the most important thing I learned from my teachers wasn’t something that was on the curriculum. The greatest lesson I learned in school was that hard work really does pay off. You don’t have to be naturally smart or talented, because if you are willing to work hard and put in the time, you can learn and excel at pretty much anything. The truth is you can’t control how much talent you have,

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Need a Personal Assistant to Manage Your Kids’ Crazy Schedules?

School has started. Youth sports are in full swing.

provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom. The Right Tool for the Job Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.

Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment.

All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through

the insanity sometimes feels

more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. Tag Team

There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which

Our Patients Say It Best ............................... “Great service! I’ve always had a fear of the dentist, but since I started coming here, I’ve felt a lot better and more comfortable. Definitely recommend this place, without a doubt. The personnel are always so nice and courteous and really strive to make it a good experience.” –Alyssa H. “Dr. Gorena and Jennifer were an awesome team. I am deathly scared of needles and they put me at ease. They kept me informed of what they were doing and kept asking if I was OK. I wish more people in the medical field were as considerate of their patients as they were. Needless to say, the ladies at the front desk were professional and courteous too. Thank you!” –Janie G.

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TAKE STEPS NOW TO PROTECT YOUR TEETH

is a good way to strengthen your enamel, and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year at the dentist ensures that any

hard-to-reach plaque is removed. Eat a Tooth-Healthy Diet

Going to the dentist regularly is incredibly important in keeping your oral health in tip-top shape. But you shouldn’t rely solely on your dentist to keep decay-causing bacteria at bay. Take steps at home to keep your mouth clean and healthy. It’s easy! Brush and Floss Your Teeth Taking proper care of your teeth is important. Plaque buildup in your mouth creates an environment in which bacteria

The more sugar you eat, the more plaque you’ll have in your mouth. Sugar encourages bacteria to grow, causing more acid to be produced. To avoid this, it’s best to minimize the amount of sugary foods in your diet, including candy, soda, and other processed carbohydrates. After meals, drink water to help remove any leftover food debris and give your saliva a chance to break things down, limiting the amount of acid produced. Bacteria-Fighting Substances Some sugar alcohols, like xylitol, are highly effective at fighting oral bacteria. Chewing xylitol gum is a delicious way to hinder the bacteria’s production of acid. Essential oils like clove, myrrh, thyme, peppermint, rosemary, and oregano also remove bacteria and prevent inflammation. Add six drops of oil to one cup of water to pull toxins from your mouth and prevent gum disease. Protecting your teeth and gums at home is just as crucial as going to the dentist. Use these three tips to keep your mouth — and the rest of your body — healthy.

can thrive. Those bacteria produce acid that damages the enamel of your teeth and allows cavities to form. Brush three times per day (preferably right after meals) and floss at least once a

day to reduce the plaque buildup in

your mouth. Using fluoride toothpaste

Have a Laugh

Beans & Greens Rigatoni

This hearty pasta is perfect for the start of fall. With protein from cannellini beans and a heaping portion of kale, it’s the rare pasta you can enjoy without guilt.

Ingredients • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed • 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt, for pasta water and to taste • 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Directions 1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and oil to skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve.

Sabal Dental - Harlingen Office • (956) 428-5300 • 3

321 S. 13th St., Ste. 101 Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 428-5300 www.SabalDental.com

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Inside This Issue

Celebrating Our Teachers Page 1 3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life Page 2 Our Patients Say It Best Page 2 Fight the Bacteria in Your Mouth Page 3 Beans and Greens Rigatoni Page 3 Pigs to the Rescue Page 4

THAT’LL DO, PIG Oinkers That Saved Their Owners’ Bacon

More and more Americans are keeping pigs as pets than ever before. With their keen intelligence, laid-back amiability, goofy snorts, and, of course, their stubby little legs, it’s no surprise that people take to these plump, fuzzy animals. And here’s an extra bonus: Apparently, they also save lives! Take the aptly-named Lucky, for example. When Illinois resident Ina Farler woke up to the frantic porcine screams of her best friend, she knew something was up. “He would jump down, run to the door, and then jump back on the bed and hit me really hard,” she told Chicago 5 News. “When I sat up, I realized the room was really smoky.” Her house was ablaze, and her room was quickly turning into an oven. But thanks to Lucky, she was able to grab her two grandchildren, escape from the house, and call the fire department to stifle the blaze before it took down the entire property. Lucky isn’t the only hog to have saved the day. Jo Ann and Jack Altsman adopted Lulu the pot-bellied pig after baby-sitting her for their daughter. Lulu grew to be great

pals with Bear, the family’s American Eskimo dog. When Jo Ann suffered a heart attack

while her husband was away on a fishing trip and no one else was around, Bear and Lulu teamed up to rescue their beloved owner. Sensing something was up, Bear barked furiously to get the attention of Lulu, who was out in the yard. Though she’d never come into the house from the yard before, she crammed her bulk through the much-too-small doggie door. In the process, she scraped her belly badly, drawing blood, but she pressed on in order to check on Jo Ann. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, she slammed back through the doggie door and scrambled out into the road, where she lay down. Lulu eventually convinced one conscientious motorist to slow down and see what the commotion was about. He found Jo Ann unconscious in her home and quickly dialed 911. Though Lulu wasn’t allowed in the ambulance, her owner was rescued and recovered after an intense open-heart surgery. And, of course, Lulu got patched up too!

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