Robinson Dental - February 2021

Robinson Dental - February 2021

Dental Digest WAYLAND •899 Reno Drive •Wayland, MI •49348 •269-509-4155

COOPERSVILLE •502 W. Randall St. •Coopersville, MI •49404•616-384-4129

FEB 2021

2 OF OUR DENTISTS GOT MARRIED DURING THE PANDEMIC — HERE’S THEIR STORY A Dental Love Story

Recently, two of our dentists got married — to each other! They’ve been amazing additions to our team, and we’re thrilled they were willing to share their story for our February edition. Here’s our recent interview with them. Why did each of you choose to pursue dentistry? Dr. Claire: I come from a family of health care providers, and I always knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field. I started becoming interested in dentistry after I had braces and realized what a difference a beautiful, healthy smile had on my confidence and health. I love that dentistry combines both art and science, and I love the work-life balance that dentistry offers. Dr. Mike: Just like Claire, I come from a family with various different health care providers. I have always had the inclination to pursue a career that best allows me to help others. My mother, being a hygienist, and my grandpa, being a dentist, led me to explore dentistry. What really drew me into the dental field is the relationships you can build with patients and how truly important someone’s smile is to them and can change their lives. How did you two meet? We met in dental school at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. We started dating our second year of dental school and moved to Grand Rapids after school! How did the proposal unfold? Dr. Claire: On a Saturday in December 2019, Mike took me out to lunch at a brewery in Grand Rapids. Afterward, we took a walk around Reeds Lake,

and Mike proposed out on the dock! That night, Mike had planned a surprise engagement party and had both of our families come to town to celebrate!

What made you two decide to marry each other? We first bonded over dentistry and our love of sports! Over time, we realized that we both have the same family values and life goals. We have so much fun together no matter what we’re doing, and we make a great team. Were there pre-pandemic marriage/engagement plans? What changed during the pandemic? We always had our wedding planned in Grand Rapids for Nov. 14, 2020. After the pandemic started, we gradually had to change our plans. We decided that we wanted to get married on that day no matter what. We decided to postpone our big reception until 2021. We ended up having our ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Andrew with just our family and bridal party. But there was a livestream of the ceremony for our friends and family to watch at home. We had a nice dinner after the ceremony with our 25 guests and will have our big reception next fall to celebrate with everyone else. It was not the original plan, but everything was so intimate and memorable — we had an amazing day. Tell me what it was like getting married during the pandemic! It was a crazy time to be planning a wedding! It was stressful at times, but it helped us focus on what was important. We were very excited to be married and thankful that we got to spend the day with our immediate families.

We did go on a honeymoon to Cancun after the wedding and spent the week relaxing by the pool in the warm weather!

Dr. Claire and Dr. Mike can’t wait to have their wedding reception in October 2021 and see all the friends and family they’ve missed due to COVID-19. They’ve loved being part of the Robinson Dental team because of our staff and wide variety of services for patients, and we have to say that the feeling is mutual. We’re so excited for your future! Best of luck, doctors!

–The Robinson Dental Team 1 616-384-4129

It’s in the Cards

WHY VALENTINE’S DAY IS THE ULTIMATE CARD HOLIDAY

This may be the first year in a long time that kids don’t pass out Valentine’s Day cards at school. Going in to the new year, the seasonal section of most stores is lined with cards featuring fun characters from superheroes to unicorns. Handing out cards is now a well-loved tradition, but have you ever wondered how Valentine’s Day became one of the biggest card-giving holidays of the year?

that the originator of this holiday tradition was Saint Valentine himself. One story says that on the night before he was set to be executed, Valentine wrote a small letter to a jailer’s daughter. He ended the note with “Your Valentine.”

It’s unknown whether that story is true, but to 18th century Europeans and Americans, it was inspiring! So inspiring, in fact, that the entire Valentine’s Day industry began to gain

Like many holiday traditions, the convention of handing out Valentine’s Day cards goes back centuries. During the 1700s, it became fashionable to trade Valentine’s Day cards with a short poem or verse. The popularity of swapping cards only increased throughout the 1800s. Sometimes, people would go as far as to paint or draw spring-like images on the cards. They were much more elaborate than what we typically see today, though they were still usually very small. But where did those folks get the idea? People of that era were likely inspired by stories that go back even further. There are legends

traction. A guidebook called “The Young Man’s Valentine” was published in 1797 to help suitors garner the attention of their love interests through the written word. Eventually, books aimed at women were also published, including “The Lady’s Own Valentine Writer,” which served much the same goal. These publications, along with young people writing notes to one another every February, have made Valentine’s Day cards an ingrained tradition, and now people can’t get enough of them!

How to Teach Your Kids to LOVE Taking Care of Their Teeth!

Fourth, give them choices. Your child needs to have ownership over their new habit, whether that means choosing their toothbrush or toothpaste, or choosing between brushing after a meal or before bedtime. There are some toothbrushes out there, like Quip, that may interest a teenager because of the app’s functionality and rewards system. In either case, you may be able to help your kid realize their choices, but don’t make the choices for them. Fifth, stay cool. It may seem like a lot is on the line — after all, research shows that many chronic diseases, like heart disease and Alzheimer’s, are affected by oral health. But it’s not the end of the world if your child is still struggling to get interested in brushing their teeth. You have a super tough job as a guide and mentor for them! But there are times when being too aggressive may not lead them on the right path, either. We hope these tips help you and your family stay on track! If you have any questions, your local expert dentistry team at Robinson Dental is more than happy to help.

Is it tough to get your kids to brush their teeth? Whether you’re raising an infant or a teenager, we have some tips to help you ensure the members of your household are healthy inside and out! First, start early. Cleaning your infant’s gums with a wet washcloth after feeding can help them get used to cleaning their future teeth, improve circulation, and decrease risk of bottle rot, which is an infection caused by drinking anything with sugar — including milk. Schedule your infant’s first dentist visit when they turn 1 year old. Second, model the behavior and stick to a routine. Your family likely already has a routine that works for you. A healthy routine can improve a child’s emotional, mental, and social development, so make sure brushing is part of it! After all, your kids want to learn from the best, and that’s you. Third, incorporate brushing into playtime. Guess what, kids? It’s time for Mr. Teddy to brush his teeth! Playing helps your kids learn. Even if they’re playing Minecraft, they can build a bathroom and brush their character’s teeth! Your kids will remember it the next time they’re at their own sink.

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Most people do not naturally have perfectly aligned teeth, which is why braces are the go-to option in our society. It’s an aesthetic and functional solution that many people feel forced to undergo. However, there’s now a modern teeth alignment solution that isn’t half as problematic as having braces. Using Invisalign clear aligners can address misaligned teeth for both teens and adults! Here are four reasons why they’re better than braces. No. 1: Invisalign aligners aren’t harmful to your gums and cheeks. Everyone is unique, so each person’s experience with braces will be different depending on the condition of their teeth’s alignment and their sensitivity to the treatment. Some people with sensitive gums and cheeks can receive painful rashes and scars from the irritation caused by metal brackets. Unlike bulky braces, Invisalign clear aligners don’t scratch your mouth and inner cheek with sharp and pointy protrusions. No. 2: Invisalign aligners have a professional look. As an adult, wearing braces can be awkward and problematic, especially when someone wants to have a professional smile at work. And if you think the transparent nature of the liners isn’t enough, you can remove the aligners when you need to for presentations, clients meetings, or dinner with friends. No. 3: Invisalign aligners offer faster results. Besides being practically invisible, Invisalign clear aligners provide faster results than traditional braces. Most people will notice dramatic improvements in their teeth’s alignment within the first few months, and many patients complete their treatment in as little as 12–18 months (if you wear them at least 22 hours a day, for the fastest straightening results). No. 4: Invisalign aligners are a better long-term investment. While Invisalign clear aligners sometimes have a higher cost than traditional braces, they’re a better long-term investment. Conventional metal braces require more frequent appointments with your orthodontist to make adjustments and match your teeth’s alignment progress, which can be problematic with a busy lifestyle. Are Invisalign Aligners Better Than Braces?

WORD SEARCH

GROUNDHOG HEART LINCOLN MLK JR PENNSYLVANIA

AQUARIUS BLACK HISTORY CANDY CUPID

PHIL PRESIDENTS DAY VALENTINE WINTER

Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins Enjoy this Valentine’s Day-themed muffin with your Valentine or treat yourself!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed • 3/4 cup natural creamy almond butter (can substitute creamy peanut butter) • 2 large eggs • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup oat flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup strawberry fruit

We hope these tips help you with the next step in your dental journey! If you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

spread, divided (we recommend Bonne Maman INTENSE)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray. 3. In a large bowl, mix bananas, almond butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 4. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.

5. Evenly divide batter into liners. Add 1 tsp strawberry fruit spread to the top of each muffin. 6. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the spread into the batter. 7. Bake for 22–27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Transfer muffins to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

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502 W. Randall St. Coopersville, MI 49404 RobinsonDental.org

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Inside THIS ISSUE How 2 Dentists Got Married During the Pandemic

1 What’s the Deal With Valentine’s Day Cards? Teach Your Kids to LOVE Their Teeth 2 Are Invisalign Aligners Better Than Braces? Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins 3 Improve Your Day With This Simple Life Hack 4

A Simple Way to Improve Your Day! THE CALENDAR OF ‘THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO’

Many families have faced disappointment in one way or another. Since early last year, countless activities and events have been canceled, and people had to skip many family vacations and get-togethers. Though it is a new year, it’s still going to be a while before normal activities and events will be scheduled, meaning there might not be a whole lot to look forward to, which can be disheartening. So, why not change that and give yourself and your family something to look forward to? A great way to improve your day — or week, month, or even year — is to write down things you’re excited about. In an article on Lifehacker.com, one mom talked about how she improved the overall mood of her family by creating a calendar of things to look forward to every week. In a post on Facebook, she wrote, “I wanted something for me and my kids to look forward to each day, so I posted a list to my fridge of the days

of the week and one fun thing each day. (Like Taco Tuesday, Takeout Thursday, Dance Party Friday, Movie & Popcorn Sunday.)” It’s an idea anyone can easily implement. Create themed days (like game night or park day) or create a schedule of fun things. Write down when the next show or movie you’re interested in will be available to stream. You can do the same for a new book or video game that may be coming out and apply the concept to virtually anything. The important thing is that you write it down on a calendar so you can see it. When you or your family glance at the calendar and see what’s coming up, it elevates your mood and boosts your day. And the more things you’re looking forward to, the better! Give it a try and get everyone in the family involved. When you need a little extra joy in your life, this is an incredibly simple way to achieve it!

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