Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center - June 2021

Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center - June 2021

JUNE 2021

LONGVIEW TYLER

444 Forest Square Suite E Longview, TX 75605

2124 South Donnybrooke Ave. Tyler, TX 75701

903-704-0154

903-251-2858

www.texassedationdental.com

YOUR FRIENDLY, LOCAL, 5-STAR DENTIST

S ome cultures observe the first of May with religious celebrations, others with maypoles and games. This year, we celebrated May Day by hitting 500 five-star Google reviews — a landmark that had been approaching for some time but still felt thrilling to achieve. Google is notoriously hard, where two negative reviews are given the same amount of space as 20 positive ones and hold significantly more power. So, how did we do it? Our Secret for Dominating Google Reviews

minutes, we will make it up to you with a gift card. This provides a great, actionable goal for us to follow — a goal that originates with the patient, as all things should.

We do extra training and seminars. We quiz each other in our downtime. We find new things to offer, like making the crowns and basic prosthetics we use in-house instead of ordering out, and we pursue practices like sedation dentistry. All of this benefits the patient, and the patient comes first. How else can you run a practice and feel good about it?

Simple. We spend our time with patients, not on marketing — but therein lies the secret: It’s about the patients.

Last but not least, to dominate those online reviews, you really need to find the people who

I cannot speak to how Google reviews work in other industries, but at least in our field, the best way to get a good review is to do a great job with every patient.

left negative feedback and take them seriously. Each one is a potential learning experience and a chance to improve in at least one person’s eyes. And hopefully, they also each represent a chance for a do-over: Reach out to those negative reviewers publicly and privately and try to fix whatever caused them to give you a bad review. With these tricks, any dental practice can hit the same 500 five-star review landmark as our two offices did as long as they’re willing to work for it. And our reviews section isn’t the only thing that’s heating up. It’s going to be a great summer, and I can’t wait to share it with you in the pages of this newsletter. We’ve got some really exciting things in the works, including some construction projects I will share with you when they get underway. Until then, enjoy the start of summer. We’re looking forward to it as well.

This encompasses technical skill and whether you can do the work without making the patient uncomfortable, but people also care about social skills. You can be the best dentist in the world, but if you can’t get your patients to feel comfortable, you won’t be able to do everything you may need to, and you won’t be very successful in the long run. All of that is good news for us because as I said, we really just want to focus on the work. When it comes to differentiating ourselves as a practice, we just don’t feel right sitting on our laurels because we’re meeting industry standards as well as patient expectations. We want to blow those expectations out of the water. That’s how you get five- star reviews: by going above and beyond. It’s also how you challenge yourself and your team to stay on top of your game. For example, we have a “no wait” policy. If we cannot get our scheduling and dental work locked down enough that you have to wait more than 15

-Dr. Travis Kendall

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YOUR SUMMER STORM SURVIVAL GUIDE Go-To Tips for Families

June marks the beginning of summer fun, but something far more dangerous lurks — thunderstorm season. Residents in the Midwest and in the South can experience up to 110 thunderstorms each year. ( Fun fact: Florida is often the stormiest and can see anywhere from 80 to more than 100 days of thundering weather.) Yet, no matter how experienced you are at riding out thunderstorms, each one has the potential to be dangerous. Before the clouds roll in this summer, consult this helpful guide.

also include a weather radio, which will work when the power goes out and can provide updates from the National Weather Service. Then, identify places where you can take shelter, like in your home, vehicle, or nearby buildings. Store outdoor tools and toys properly and trim trees as needed to prevent wind debris.

Follow safety guidelines during a power outage.

Don’t panic! Utilize your emergency kit and rely on your flashlights, rather than light candles, which could start a fire. Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer as to limit how much cold air escapes and never eat meat or dairy products that are 40 degrees F or warmer. You’re also at risk for increased exposure to carbon monoxide if you use a gas stove, generator, or space heater to warm up. Avoid doing this as much as possible. Listen for updates on your weather radio and evacuate when necessary.

Stay calm in the storm.

Seek shelter immediately in one of your identified areas. Avoid using landline phones and unplug all appliances, like toasters, TVs, or computers. (Play games, read books, or tell creepy stories to keep the family entertained.) But don’t stand or sit near windows because high winds can knock trees or other debris through the window. Staying away from your sinks and showers is also vital! If lightning strikes your home, it can travel through the water stream and strike you.

Prepare properly ahead of time.

Take a few moments at the beginning of each summer to review the basics. Create or update an emergency kit — include water bottles, blankets, flashlights, and portable chargers. Nonperishable foods, like jerky or granola bars, can also be beneficial. You should

For more ways to prepare for storm season, visit RedCross.org.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DENTAL HYGIENE AND HEART HEALTH

Could that mean that poor dental hygiene is actually causing heart disease, as well?

It seems likely. The reason dental health is an indicator for heart disease is that it’s actually an indicator for chronic inflammation, a risk factor for that category of ailments. Inflammation is often the result of bacteria entering the bloodstream or of the body as it is fighting infection. The former is what’s going on in your mouth when you don’t floss, brush, and regularly check up with your dentist. These poor dental habits result in chronic inflammation, with heart disease being the result of that . Of course, simply not flossing won’t give you a heart attack, but it is a lifestyle indicator. Combine it with a few other factors, such as a cholesterol-heavy diet and lack of exercise (which are also common in people with poor dental hygiene), and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

As we learn more about the human body, we learn how intimately connected things really are. Years ago, the idea that your heart could be impacted by something as seemingly disparate as whether you floss or not would have been seen as absurd. Today, though, we know there’s a link between the two. We’ve known since at least 2018 that plaque buildup, cavities, and other signs of poor oral care are often indicators of heart disease. But it’s not hard to take that one step further: When bad substances like bacteria build up in the mouth, they enter the bloodstream. This may be true in lots of places in the body, but our mouths are particularly permeable in this regard, with lots of large blood vessels concentrated under mucus membranes.

So, if you take your health seriously, don’t forget to brush and floss. There are already many reasons to do so; the link to heart disease is just another good one!

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LOSING A TOOTH IS NEVER GOOD

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.

• 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Let’s Treat and Avoid!

In the grand scheme of things, losing a single tooth might not seem like a big deal. After all, most of us have lost a lot of teeth in our lives, and some may find it hard to get worked up about, even if it is an adult tooth. The fact is, other than baby teeth, losing teeth is never a good thing. It can be an indicator of problems to come, and although people think it’s easy to fix, that isn’t always the case. Let’s say you lose a tooth to acute trauma — a one-time incident that isn’t likely to occur again, such as fighting a tiger or falling down a mountain. Jokes aside, we can see why you might not be too worried about that. It’s the trauma that did it, not you. But, as with most things, there’s usually a mix of factors at play. One of the most important, aside from the blow to the face, is your overall dental health, which is affected by diet, dental hygiene habits, and genetics. Think of that tooth as a root and the trauma as a windstorm. Sure, the wind can blow that tree over, but it’s a lot easier if the tree’s root system has been eaten up by insects. The same happens with cavities, bacteria, and plaque buildup in the mouth. Your gums recede, your tooth roots loosen, and over time, your teeth are a lot less stable than they used to be. You might not be able to tell just by touching them or even eating a normal meal.

DIRECTIONS

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

But get hit in the face or crunch down on the wrong piece of ice, and yow! It’s a different story.

If these factors are at play in your tooth loss, you’ll have to think carefully about treatment. If we can’t fix the original tooth and the dentist deems it all right, we can install a single tooth implant where the missing tooth was and say no more about it — you can keep brushing and living as normal. By contrast, when tooth decay is already at work and gum disease is present, our options can be more limited. We need to assess whether the situation is fixable or not and what we can do to lessen those other risk factors before treating the missing tooth itself.

Adventure Camping Father Gemini

Hiking Juneteenth Park Picnic

Pride Sandals Sunburn Swimming

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

LONGVIEW - 903-704-0154 TYLER - (903) 251-2858 WWW.TEXASSEDATIONDENTAL.COM

444 FOREST SQUARE, SUITE E LONGVIEW, TX 75605

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Your Friendly, Local, 5-Star Dentist

2

Ride Out ThunderstormsWith These BasicTips

The Connection Between Dental Hygiene and Heart Health

3

Just 1Tooth ...

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

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4 Summer Blockbusters for the Whole Family

4 SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Don’t Miss These Flicks!

Summer is back, and, thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, so are

monstrous secret who just wants to eat gelato and ride scooters with his friends. The heartwarming film is a Disney and Pixar collaboration and will premiere on Disney+ on June 18 without an additional fee for subscribers. ‘Cinderella’ — Friday, July 16 (Theaters) We’ve already had live-action versions of “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” but now, Disney is at it again! The latest live-action version of “Cinderella” is a musical rom-com starring Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, and John Mulaney, among others. ‘Jungle Cruise’ — Friday, July 30 (Theaters) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt will join forces this summer in “Jungle Cruise,” a live-action Disney adventure flick. The movie follows a researcher named Dr. Lily Houghton as she travels down the Amazon river to hunt for a tree that has healing powers. Skipper Frank Wolff is her guide, but before long, things get sketchy and, as Disney puts it, “their fate — andmankind’s — hangs in the balance.” These release dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 and may be delayed or moved to streaming services. If one of the movies sticks out to you, check online for updates!

movies! This June and July, a host of family films will hit theaters and streaming services. Here are four to put on your must-watch list.

‘Vivo’ — Friday, June 4 (Theaters)

If you loved “Hamilton” and your kids enjoyed the live-action “Mary Poppins,” don’t miss “Vivo”! This film

tells the story of a musical Capuchin monkey who makes the journey from Cuba to

Miami, Florida, to see his name in lights. It’s all about friendship and adventure and is the first-ever musical from Sony Pictures. It also features original songs from the “Hamilton” writer and star from “Mary Poppins,” Lin-Manuel Miranda. ‘Luca’ — Friday, June 18 (Disney+) “Luca” will transport you to two places: a beach town in Italy and a world where magical sea monsters walk the land! This beautifully animated film tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy with a

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