Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center - October 2021

Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center - October 2021

OCTOBER 2021

*NEW ADDRESS! TYLER

LONGVIEW

444 Forest Square Suite E Longview, TX 75605

1520 Rice Road Suite 100 Tyler, TX 75703

903-704-0154

903-251-2858

www.texassedationdental.com

EASING DENTAL FEAR

Overcoming Dentophobia in Our Office

Halloween is just the right time for all of the boogie monsters, witches, goblins, and vampires to come out. The holiday thrives off of fear. After all, haunted houses, frightening movies, and scary costumes are so much fun. But Halloween isn’t the only time people have fears. Fear is a common unpleasant feeling and we all, no matter how tough we are, have some type of fear. Whether it’s arachnophobia (the fear of spiders), hemophobia (the fear of blood), acrophobia (the fear of heights), or dentophobia (the fear of going to the dentist), one way or another, we all fear something. While I can’t attest to why you shouldn’t fear snakes or public speaking, I can make sure that your fear of going to the dentist does not compromise your oral health. If you have some amount of dental phobia, whether small or large, you can rest assured that you are not alone and there is no reason to have anxiety over a dental checkup. Many times, bad dental experiences in the past are a huge reason for not wanting to return to the dentist. Some individuals have a fear of pain, discomfort, or stress and may even lose sleep the night before a dental appointment. Sometimes, a “horror story” from a friend can even cause a person to avoid the dentist at all costs. Other times, some patients have a fear of needles, especially in their mouths. Beyond this fear, others worry that the anesthesia won’t take effect in time, won’t work, or may wear off too early. In other cases, just the sounds, sights, and smells of the dentist can be scary. The drills, equipment, and tools, combined with the loud noises, are reason enough to send many into a panic attack. The loss of control that patients feel while in the chair, or the embarrassment that some may feel at the condition of their teeth, is just another reason to not want to open their mouth for the dentist.

At Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center, we understand these fears. We are familiar with them and have the right team with the best expertise and experience to do everything possible to educate and put both your mind and mouth at ease. Sedation dentistry allows us to make sure that you are relaxed and comfortable in our office during any procedure. We have a top-notch team to administer both oral and IV sedation to keep you comfortable and free of pain the entire time. No matter what the procedure is, if you have a low pain tolerance, a debilitating gag reflex, trouble sitting still, a complex amount of dental work to be done, or have previously been in a lot of pain during dental procedures, sedation is the right option for you! We are here to take away the fear and the pain and create a safe space to receive proper oral care. We strive to keep you at ease. Have no fear, Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center is here!

-Dr. Travis Kendall

LONGVIEW - 903-704-0154 | TYLER - 903-251-2858

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SELF-HELP BOOKS CAN’T DO IT ALL HOW READING FICTION CAN BENEFIT YOU

Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly?

That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. Less Stress and Better Sleep When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off. More Comfort With Uncertainty Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies)

have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. Greater Happiness Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!

Greater Empathy When a psychologist analyzed 86

functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.

You Can Have Your Candy and Eat It Too!

THE SECRET TO MAINTAINING DENTAL HEALTH

Candy is one of the largest and most fun parts about Halloween. However, the sugar in your Halloween candy can play some damaging tricks on your teeth! When you consume candy, bacteria within your mouth eats away at the sugar. When this happens, an acid is produced that causes decay and cavities. However, as long as you are flossing daily and brushing twice a day, you don’t need to sit Halloween out — you just need to be careful with what you eat and how you clean your teeth afterward. The Most Tooth-Friendly Candies Chocolate is the best candy choice because it isn’t sticky, and it washes off of your teeth well after you indulge. Dark chocolate contains less sugar than other types of chocolate, and

we know that when there is less sugar, less acid is produced in your mouth.

to avoid long-term exposure to these types of candies.

Not So Tooth-Friendly Candies Sticky candies such as jelly beans and gummies should be avoided or eaten in moderation if you just cannot resist! The sticky residue tends to get trapped in the crevices of your teeth and can lead to cavities and decay. Hard candy, such as lemon drops or Jolly Ranchers can break your teeth as you bite down on them, so instead of chomping down, try to suck on them instead. Sour candies tend to be very high in acid content, which can cause cavities. Candy that lingers in your mouth for a while, such as lollipops, gives the sugar a long time to cause damage to your teeth. If possible, try

While all candy is fun and tasty, if you pick out your favorites and give the rest away, you are not only helping to curb your sweet tooth, but you are saving your teeth from potential damage! The more often you brush your teeth, the less time you give bacteria and acid to damage your teeth. So, if you are able, be sure to brush

and floss after enjoying some Halloween candy and don’t forget to always brush your teeth before bed!

Trick or treat!

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LONGVIEW - 903-704-0154

Why Are Dental Checkups Important? Oral Health 101

SLOW COOKER SQUASH, KALE, AND SAUSAGE SOUP

Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces • 6 cloves garlic • 1 onion, chopped • 6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed INGREDIENTS

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 4 cups chicken broth • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 cups kale, chopped • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!

When it comes to oral health, proactivity is always better than reactivity. Preventive care involves getting into the dental office regularly for cleanings and checkups. Just as you visit the doctor for an annual wellness visit to evaluate your overall health and identify any potential problems, your dental exams serve the same purpose. Keep in mind that your oral health is linked to total body health. Commonly, issues somewhere else in your body present themselves in your mouth. For example, signs and symptoms of certain diseases such as diabetes can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. But there is no need to worry because with regular checkups, any problems that are caught in the beginning stages are usually treatable. Even if you are a pro at cleaning your teeth and never skip out on the floss, you still may have some buildup on the hard-to-reach surfaces of your teeth — especially your back molars. A regular cleaning will remove all of the plaque, tartar, and leftover food while helping to identify any areas where decay may be beginning to present itself. If caught early enough, sometimes a fluoride treatment can be enough to reverse the damage without the need to have a filling. The early stages of gum disease are tough to identify, but your dentist is trained to know what to look for and where to look. Throughout a routine dental office visit, your dentist will check for gum firmness, redness, recession, or swelling. If any of these signs are found, a treatment plan will be put into action before the health of your gums is compromised.

TAKE A BREAK

Black Costume Ghost Halloween Haunted Moon Mystery Orange Party Pumpkin Shadows Spooky

Via regular checkups, you can maintain strong and healthy teeth. After all, you must take care of your teeth so that they can take care of you!

Call us today to schedule your dental cleaning appointment!

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TYLER - 903-251-2858

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

Easing Dental Fear

2

The Unique Benefits of Reading Fiction

How to EnjoyYour Halloween CandyWithout Compromising YourTeeth

3

Why Are Dental Checkups Important?

Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup

4

5 FoodsThat Will ImproveYour Dental Health

The best “secret” to continued dental health is to do what your dentist recommends every time you have a checkup: Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and don’t eat too many sugary foods. However, if you want to give your dental health an extra edge without adding steps to your routine, you can actually improve your dental health while you eat. All you need to do is incorporate some of the following foods into your diet! Cheese 5 FOODS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH And Help Maintain a Healthy Smile

teeth and massage your gums, all while helping your mouth produce more saliva that neutralizes bacteria. Strawberries While these tasty red berries are highly acidic, they’re still good for your teeth and gums because they contain malic acid, a natural whitening agent for your enamel. Eating strawberries regularly can actually help you keep your teeth free of stains! Salmon This fish is packed with both vitamin D and calcium, which help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Vitamin D enables your body to more effectively absorb calcium, while calcium itself helps you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Carrots You can get many of the same benefits of brushing your teeth from eating carrots — but that doesn’t mean you should eat carrots in place of brushing your teeth! Like celery, chewing carrots massages your gums. Plus, they’re rich in keratin, which fights plaque, and vitamin A, which strengthens tooth enamel. By eating some of these foods (or all of them!), along with brushing and flossing regularly, you can ensure that your smile stays fresh and healthy for years to come!

Like many dairy products, cheese is full of calcium and phosphate, which strengthen teeth and bones. At the same time, it can balance the pH level in your mouth, neutralizing harmful acids and preventing cavities and tooth decay. Celery Though it doesn’t contain any nutrients that will specifically benefit your teeth, chewing celery can actually clean your

LONGVIEW - 903-704-0154 | TYLER - 903-251-2858

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