Signature Smiles - August 2021

Signature Smiles - August 2021

3,917 Lives Changed Through Sedation 1,459 5-Star Reviews, and Counting 152 Years of Combined Experience

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Precise, Anxiety-Free Dentistry LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY HELPING OUR PATIENTS

AUGUST 2021

The patient is at the heart of every decision we make at Signature Smiles. Before we make changes or purchase new equipment, we ask ourselves how this will affect our patients and their experiences with our clinic and team. Our goal is to create an easy, anxiety-free, and effective dental practice that can serve each client’s needs with precision and personalized care. One of the major components of this is being at the forefront of technological advancements for better treatments. A recent acquisition of one such piece of technology has the ability to solve a major pain point for many of our clients. Whenever we are measuring a client’s smile for dentures, crowns, bridges, or other dental implants, we often need to make a mold of their upper and lower jaw to provide an accurate reading for our lab. This allows our lab experts to create precise tools that are designed to improve the health, look, and functionality of a patient’s smile.

In order to do this, we have to place a generous amount of putty into a tray, fit it into a patient’s mouth, and ask that they sit like that for the next 2–4 minutes. It may seem simple enough, but this process is outdated and terrifying for some patients. For those who have dental anxieties or gag easily, these 2–4 minutes can drag at a snail’s pace.

Today, we no longer have to do this.

With the acquisition of a new piece of technology, our team can take a digital scan of a patient’s smile. The machine doesn’t rely on putty or other messy material, nor does it require a patient to sit perfectly still for four minutes. Instead, we can take breaks between scans, move at a pace a patient is comfortable with, and avoid layering the teeth with putty and a tray. Afterward, the scans are sent to a lab, and the implants, dentures, and other dental products are created, fitting each piece to a client’s exact needs. What’s more encouraging is that this tool works even better than the putty-tray method. The scans are more precise, and the process is often quicker for patients and our staff at Signature Smiles. This means we get faster, better results for your dental equipment, and we can insert them with surgical precision, fully confident in the form and fit for your mouth. However, what’s most beneficial for us at Signature Smiles is that this equipment provides a more comfortable, encouraging

environment for our patients, especially those who may fear coming to see us in the first place, at no extra cost to patients. That’s right — this new piece of technology will not raise the price on this common procedure. We believe in improving patient experience, providing powerful oral health care, and doing so in a way that’s affordable for all patients. For the past three months, this new piece of equipment has allowed us to do just that, making this acquisition all the more valuable to our Signature Smiles team. Since we began using this device, we have received great feedback from patients. We cannot wait to see how it continues to benefit the lives of those we serve. If you would like to learn more about this tool or the other implant methods we can use to help you achieve the smile you deserve, please call us today.

We’re happy to serve you with affordable, top-tier tools.

–Dr. Omar Salameh

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STRETCH After lying in one position all night, your body may feel stiff and achy. Stretching awakens your muscles and helps you break out of that groggy morning feeling. Start with your back and do some slow core twists. Then, sit on the floor and lay your legs out in front of you. Stretch forward, then sit back up. Next, position your right foot on the opposite side of your left knee. Keeping your hips centered, turn your torso toward your right foot so that your right arm is on your right knee. Switch to the other side and repeat as needed. Finally, pull your head toward your shoulders to loosen your neck. GO FOR A WALK When you wake up in the morning, head outside! Movement stimulates your brain and improves your mood, and the act of walking is relaxing enough that it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Plus, it’s a great way to get your steps in, wake up slowly, and get outside before a busy day. JUST BREATHE This might sound like it will lull you to sleep, but there are actually some breathing techniques that can help you wake up! The “breath of fire” is a rapid-fire breathing technique, during which you inhale deeply, exhale deeply, inhale deeply again, and then exhale quickly. Repeat this as needed. Other practices that focus on breathing, like yoga, can be effective, too.

Don’t Reach for the Coffee 3 Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy Without Caffeine

If you can’t start your day without your daily cup — or cups — of joe, you’re not alone. More than 450 million cups of coffee are consumed by U.S. residents every day, and unfortunately, heavy caffeine consumption may not be healthy. (It’s a big reason why celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, and Kim Kardashian don’t drink it!) Moderate amounts of caffeine can improve your mental health, and some studies suggest it could even prevent some chronic conditions. However, there are major downsides to overconsumption, which equates to more than four cups of coffee each day. These can include high blood pressure, addiction symptoms, and decreased mentality.

If you want to break out of the caffeine cycle and reduce how much coffee you drink, try replacing that cuppa with one of these methods!

Waking up isn’t an exact science, but once you find a healthy method that works for you, you may never need coffee again. (Gasp!)

THE ORAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF CANCER TREATMENT 3 Ways We Can Help

Cancer can impact every part of your life, including how you socialize, work, and function. It’s a devastating diagnosis, but with a team of medical professionals and a loving network of supporters, you can beat this horrible disease. At Signature Smiles, we’re proud to help cancer patients in all stages of their diagnosis and treatment. Cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, radiation, and medication, can cause oral health complications, and it’s our job to help our patients fighting cancer protect their mouth from damage with regular check-ups and helpful tips for prevention. Here are a few reminders! DRY MOUTH Because of medications you may take for cancer, your mouth’s saliva production may falter. You can treat this by drinking more non- caffeinated and low-sugar beverages or chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate the production of saliva. You can also suck on ice chips — don’t chew these! — or try a humidifier. (You should also avoid alcohol, tobacco use, and spicy foods to prevent a further decrease in saliva.) CAVITIES Because your mouth is dry, your risk of cavities increases. Avoid this with proper oral hygiene by brushing twice each day and

flossing every day. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, too. Your dentist can also help you regularly assess your risk for cavities, often prescribing new routines and oral health care regimens to try. ORAL SORES AND JAW STIFFNESS Cancer medications and treatment can also cause oral sores to develop. These should be examined and treated immediately. If you believe you have an oral sore, contact your dentist or your oncologist for further intervention. Furthermore, treatments — specifically those for head and neck cancers — can cause the jaw to stiffen. This can make it difficult to eat, breathe, or talk. Simple exercises can help loosen your jaw joint, allowing for better movement during your treatment. Ask your dentist or oncologist for suggestions.

You are not in this cancer fight alone! If you or a loved one is battling cancer, our team at Signature Smiles wants to help. Please call us today to schedule an appointment. – Corliss Robinson, RDH

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FULL STAFF MEETINGS ARE FINALLY BACK! We are so excited to get everyone together from both offices where we continue to grow and work to provide the best care for our patients.

REFER YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BIG! Win a Firepit! Every referral we receive at Signature Smiles is a great compliment. We are honored that you would trust us with your family’s oral health and recommend others do the same. In recognition of our patients’ continued support, we are once again giving away prizes for those who have referred us! Any current patient who refers a new patient to Signature Smiles through September will be entered into a raffle to win a firepit. We will be drawing monthly raffles leading up to the big firepit giveaway, too!

• You could win an outdoor game set, complete with cornhole and giant Jenga!

• Or you could snag our grilling tool set, complete with local sauces and spices, plus a gift card to a local meat shop (just in time for Labor Day weekend)!

• And of course, you could win the big prize: a firepit set, complete with all the fixings for s’mores!

Refer a patient today, and you could win one of these great prizes! Call Signature Smiles or visit us on Facebook to learn more.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779

Also Serving Elyria! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031

SignatureSmilesOH.com

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Inside

Free 24-hour recorded message reveals the “9 Questions You Need Answered Before Committing to Dental implants.” Call Now: 800-723-2012

Scared of the Dentist? Our Newest Tool Can Help With That!

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Wake Up Without Coffee — Really!

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How Cancer Impacts Your Oral Health — And How to Fix It

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Full Staff Meetings Are Back!

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Our Newest Referral Prizes are Perfect for Labor Day!

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Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog

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In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog. Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and precious items as they could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat-herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.

“I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You’ll be fine,’” Roland Hendel told ABC News.

Both Hendels were sure they were seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened. “In the distance, I saw Odin’s tail,” Roland told ABC. “Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats.” Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible story made the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail- wagging, treat-eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.

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