Robinson Dental - July 2021

Robinson Dental - July 2021

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

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

JULY 2021 How Veneers (and Working Here!) Changed My Life

MEET ANNIE, OUR TREATMENT AND WOW COORDINATOR!

Hi, everyone! I’m Annie, a treatment coordinator as well as a WOW coordinator at Robinson Dental! Although people compliment me on my great smile today, it might surprise some that I used to be fairly unhappy about my teeth. It’s not always fun to tell people about how much their teeth treatments will ultimately cost them, but it’s truly an investment into your future that’s 100% worthwhile. I’ve experienced the power of a smile transformation firsthand.

to her house to cheer her up. She was so thrilled! It’s a real joy to work for Robinson Dental because of how willing they are to give things back to their patients and their community. I also love our involvement with the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; we’re currently matching donations up to $25,000 to the Spectrum Health Foundation at Helen DeVos. They do medical research for rare diseases and cases in young patients and rely on philanthropy to survive. Everyone here is very passionate about Helen DeVos, and it makes our fundraising events even more motivating and inspiring to be a part of. Looking back at the past couple years at Robinson Dental, I’ve been amazed by how much I adore the people I work with, who have become my best friends and family. But perhaps the aspect of our work that’s surprised me the most is the mouth-body connection. A few of my peers have mentioned it before, but it truly is shocking how your blood circulation turns your mouth into a two-way street for bacteria and health issues, including diabetes, cardiac events, and even dementia and Alzheimer’s. Brushing and flossing can be a critical tool for preventing or managing other health conditions. If there’s any knowledge that I’d impart to someone outside of the dental field, it’d be that.

When I was 20 years old, I got veneers put on — to this day, I believe it was a life-changing event. Although I’d taken care of my teeth, I wasn’t happy with how they looked. As soon as I saw how my veneers looked, I became so much more confident! Looking back, even when I felt self-conscious, I never fully

realized just how far my smile influenced my life. I’d always enjoyed looking at people’s smiles, but to be always proud of my own smile was something new, exciting, and liberating. Veneers quite literally inspired me to work in the dental industry. So, two years ago, I started at Robinson Dental

“When I was 20 years old, I got veneers put on — to this day, I believe it was a life-changing event.”

Outside of work, I’m a busy married gal with a yellow Lab named Georgie. We have a family farm where we raise cows and horses (and little babies, now that it’s summer). My hobbies are mainly gardening and taking any opportunity to be outside. The farm has been my heaven on Earth during the pandemic!

as a patient care coordinator. Then I became a treatment coordinator until I took on a hybrid role as a WOW coordinator as well! Essentially, I get to walk patients through treatment plans and consider ways to “wow” patients, including giving them extra stuff when they need it most.

By the time you read this, I’ll probably still be busy growing a pumpkin patch. Don’t be shy and say hello sometime! Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful summer!

–Annie Keller

One of my favorite moments in my job happened recently — a patient was unfortunately re-diagnosed with cancer, so I found a care package to send

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An Olympic Medal — For Arts

From 1912–1952, the Olympics awarded medals for arts and sculpture, though most people do not remember this. In 2012, the first book in English on the topic was published, “The Forgotten Olympic Art Competitions” by Richard Stanton. Stanton dug through decades-old, crumbling files that were packed away in Switzerland in order to uncover the origin of this forgotten Olympic tradition. Apparently, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Games, saw art competitions as integral to his vision of the Olympics. Stanton told Smithsonian Magazine of Coubertin, “He was raised and educated classically, and he was particularly impressed with the idea of what it meant to be a true Olympian — someone who was not only athletic, but skilled in music and literature.” Coubertin thought that without the arts, it couldn’t be a true Olympic event. However, Coubertin had no luck convincing local organizers from Athens, St. Louis, or Paris that art competitions were necessary. At the 1912 Stockholm Games, Coubertin finally secured the Olympic fine art competitions. There were categories for architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and literature, but every work had to somehow be inspired by sports.

medal was awarded in every category.

(Coubertin even won for his poem, “Ode to Sport”! He disguised it with a pseudonym.) As the Olympics exploded into a beloved international event, the fine arts competitions rarely caught people’s attention. Not all categories won gold medals, if any at all. There were significant winners,

however. John Russell Pope (the architect of the Jefferson Memorial) won a silver at the 1932 Los Angeles Games for his design of the Payne Whitney Gymnasium, constructed at Yale University. Other famous participants include Italian sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti, American illustrator Percy Crosby, Irish author Oliver St. John Gogarty, and Dutch painter Isaac Israëls. Even if the art competitions are not a part of the games anymore, they are fascinating to learn about! We’ll definitely think about them the next time the Olympics (finally) roll around.

Judges didn’t have to award gold medals if they were disappointed by all the submissions, but 1912 was a success. With 33 artists in participation, a gold

Why Nightguards Can Make Your Life Healthier and Easier Do You Grind Your Teeth?

Many people who grind their teeth (aka bruxism) at night are unaware that it’s happening. In fact, unless someone in your household witnesses it happening, like your partner or your roommate, then you may be completely unaware you’re damaging your teeth every night.

disorder. Temporomandibular joints connect your jawbone to your skull, sort of like hinges. TMJ disorder occurs when these hinges are stressed, strained, damaged, or inflamed. Grinding your teeth at night can worsen your TMJ disorder.

wear at night but strong enough to protect your teeth from damage.

How do I know whether I need a nightguard?

Why should I get customized nightguards?

Comfort is perhaps the most important part of a nightguard. That way, you will not make excuses to avoid wearing it. If you suffer from bruxism and don’t wear your nightguard, you could crack, chip, or permanently damage your teeth, resulting in the need for tooth restorations like dental crowns, bridges, or even implants. Investing in a custom nightguard now may prevent the need for more expensive tooth restorations in the future. Protect your smile for a lifetime and call our office to ask your dentist whether nightguards are right for you.

If you find yourself experiencing pain in your head, jaw, or teeth when you wake up in the morning, it’s likely you’ve been grinding or clenching your teeth through the night. Other potential symptoms include headaches, toothaches, a sore jaw, chipped or cracked teeth, loose teeth, tooth sensitivity, or worn tooth enamel. In addition to alleviating pain caused by teeth grinding, nightguards can also help patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

You may have seen nightguards on the shelves of your local supermarket. However, these nightguards aren’t customized for your specific smile. They may be uncomfortable, bulky, or ineffective. Even worse, you may find a store- bought nightguard so uncomfortable that you don’t wear it at all. Our dentists can make you a custom nightguard designed specifically for your smile. Custom nightguards are thin enough to be comfortable to

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WORD SEARCH

You may know that diabetes (Type 1 or 2) can cause you to feel frequent exhaustion, hunger and/or thirst, or even vision blurriness or skin dryness, but did you know that diabetes can lead to more frequent gum infections? YOUR ORAL HEALTH AND DIABETES RISK ARE LINKED Here’s Why

ALIEN BALLPARK CHERRY FIRECRACKER

FLAG INDEPENDENCE ORCHID PADDLEBOARD

PATRIOTIC SUNDAE

SUNSCREEN TRAMPOLINE

Mexican Corn Salad

The good news is that taking care of your oral health can significantly aid in managing diabetes risk or even symptoms.

Why does flossing and brushing make a huge difference? It’s incredibly important to floss and brush your teeth for several reasons, but chief among them is preventing serious health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes or periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing helps prevent plaque from building up in your mouth and greatly reduces the risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease, a permanent, bone- destroying condition. Why is oral care so effective at preventing diabetes or periodontal disease? No part of our body operates in a vacuum; it’s all connected. As bacteria builds up in your gums, it can infect your bloodstream. From there, the bacteria in your blood can infect and impact your entire bodily health. This is known in the medical field as the “mouth-body connection.” Research shows trends between poor oral health and many health issues, including cardiovascular events and diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, osteoporosis, and more. But diabetes is among the conditions with the most compelling research concerning the direct effects of oral health on diabetes – and vice versa. How does diabetes affect oral health? If you have diabetes, heightened glucose levels in your saliva may cause serious long-term issues in your gums and teeth. The good news is that by managing your glucose levels and brushing twice a day, you can avoid the worst possible scenarios. You may want to also consider possibly quitting smoking, which can make gum disease even worse. We hope these tips help! If you have any questions, don’t be shy to ask our expert dental team — we’ll always be more than happy to help you on your path to an overall healthier life.

Inspired by JoCooks.com

Don’t let the long ingredient list scare you. This summer salad celebrates in- season veggies and herbs and comes together quickly.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups of fresh corn, cut from 5 cobs • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped • 1/2 red onion, diced • 6 green onions, chopped • 1 jalapeno, diced • 1/2 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp sour cream • 2 tbsp mayonnaise • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

1. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes or until corn starts to char. 2. Add the corn to a large bowl and let cool for 5 minutes, then add the remaining ingredients and stir together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. 3. The salad pairs well with grilled entrees and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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

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Inside THIS ISSUE A Staff Member’s Account of How Veneers Changed Her Life

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An Olympic Medal — For Arts Nightguards Can Make Your Life Healthier and Easier

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Gum Health Affects Diabetes Risk — And Vice Versa Mexican Corn Salad

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5 Wacky Pizza Trends From Around the World

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Here in the U.S., pineapple is considered a wild and controversial pizza topping. Even celebrities take a stand. Justin Bieber is pro-pineapple, but Jimmy Kimmel is against it. According to a 2019 YouGov Omnibus study, only anchovies and eggplant are more hated. But in other parts of the world, the tangy yellow fruit is far from the strangest topping you’ll see! Here are five wacky pizza trends from around the globe that will either make you hungry or inspire you to sprint the other way. You may want to order a comforting cheese pie from your favorite local pizzeria before reading this, just in case. 1. Banana-Curry Pizza (Sweden) — The Swedes first accessed bananas in 1944, and since then, they’ve put them on everything, including pizza which they top with tomato sauce, smoked cheese, banana slices, and curry powder. 2. Ketchup and Corn Pizza (Brazil) — According to several sources, Brazilians swap pizza sauce for ketchup or tomato slices and top their pies with strange combinations of local ingredients like corn, beets, hearts of palm, and potato sticks. 3. Haggis Pizza (Scotland) — Pizza may be the only semi-enjoyable way to eat haggis: a mix of sheep or calf offal, oatmeal, suet, and seasonings that are boiled in an animal’s stomach. Last year, Papa John’s got in on the action when it released a limited-edition haggis pizza in honor of a Scottish poet, Robert Burns. They Eat What on Pizza?

4. Mockba Pizza (Russia) — This local pie comes topped with four kinds of fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon), onions, herbs, and occasionally fish eggs. Most troubling of all, it’s served cold! 5. Chickpea Pancake Pizza (Argentina) — In Buenos Aires, locals top their super-cheesy pizza slices with fainá — chickpea pancakes cooked separately from the pies and balanced on top of each slice. Keep these pizzas in mind when planning your next international vacation! They might be tastier than they sound, and if not, they’ll still make great Instagram fodder. As actor Cole Sprouse once tweeted, “You’re losing followers because you’re not relatable enough. Try mentioning that you eat pizza. If that doesn’t work, play the ukulele.”

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