Robinson Dental - March 2022

Robinson Dental - March 2022

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

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

HOW I DISCOVERED MY PASSION FOR DENTISTRY MARCH 2022 Oral Cancer Changed My Life

Hey there, everyone! I’m the assistant coordinator at Robinson Dental, and I’ve worked here for nearly nine years. You may be familiar with the dental assistants who help your doctors while doing any procedures on your teeth. Similarly, I work side by side with doctors to train all our dental assistants and coordinate the assistants’ schedules with the doctor schedules. I’ll be honest with you — as a kid, I knew very little about oral health! Although I knew I had to brush and floss, I didn’t really know why. That completely changed when I was diagnosed with oral cancer at 16 years old.

Robinson Dental is a remarkable practice because it encourages personal and professional growth every step of the way. After I graduated as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), I moved into a chairside position. By the time 2021 arrived, I’d started assistant coordinating, a major opportunity for growth. Robinson Dental’s ability to hold onto its staff has clearly built a strong team full of people who are passionate about growing their expertise together. It’s such a pleasure to help our patients live healthier and happier lives. Some people live years with dental pain, but we can relieve their pain right away, even performing root canals on the same day. It’s not that way in other practices in our industry, where patients can sometimes wait weeks or months before receiving

“Even while going to school as a dental assistant, I was still shocked to learn the ways oral health can affect every single aspect of your health, from your skin to your heart. That’s when I stopped imagining my oral health as a separate entity and more like a gateway to my overall health.”

That was a terrifying experience. Oral cancer can be caused by bad oral hygiene — and while that wasn’t what caused mine, I knew I had to step up my game. I started to take care of my teeth more diligently, especially because of the time I spent in the medical field at a young age. It was a turning point not just in my health but also in my life. Due to spending so much time among nurses and doctors, I became interested in nursing. But upon going into nursing, I started to realize it was really dentistry I was interested in. I’m glad I changed it, because I quickly became fascinated. I had no idea how oral health could affect your whole systematic health until that moment. Even while going to school as a dental assistant, I was still shocked to learn the ways oral health can affect every single aspect of your health, from your skin to your heart.

treatment. I’m so thrilled to work at Robinson Dental, among a team and management that genuinely care about our patients. I hope we can help make you just as comfortable or excited to see us! Outside of work, my boyfriend and I spend a lot of time outdoors, whether it’s camping, kayaking, or hiking — especially with our two English setter pups! Thanks so much for reading, and I’ll catch you around!

–Tamra Helmer

That’s when I stopped imagining my oral health as a separate entity and more like a gateway to my overall health.

I couldn’t be more grateful to Robinson Dental while on my professional journey. I truly climbed from the bottom as a sterilization assistant, who plays a clinical support role for the assistant team. I’d help with room turnovers, sterilize instruments, and more. We like to brag at Robinson Dental that we meet and exceed OSHA standards wherever we can, and our sterilization assistants are definitely a foundational part of that!

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HOW TO MAKE IT ECO-FRIENDLY AND EASY 3 TIPS FOR ‘GREEN’ DENTAL CARE

No. 3: Not all ‘natural’ toothpastes are your best option. While we’re talking about toothpaste, a word of warning about fluoride-free toothpaste: While many natural toothpastes have increased in quality over the years, it’s still best to use a fluoride toothpaste, especially if your teeth are prone to decay and cavities. Additionally, Dr. Tozzi says that charcoal toothpaste can be too abrasive and “cause irreversible enamel damage.” This can cause sensitivity and eventually lead to teeth looking more yellow!

It’s the month of St. Patrick’s Day — and Earth Day is in April. While you’ll probably wear green to avoid getting pinched, we promise turning your dental care products “green” will help you pinch pennies while being festive for Earth Day as well. Here’s how! No. 1: Use bamboo toothbrushes. Most plastic toothbrushes aren’t recyclable due to the size and shape. That’s why sustainability experts recommend bamboo toothbrushes, since they’re easily compostable. They’re as effective, too, according to Joseph Field, DDS, a dental implant specialist at Mid-Peninsula Implant Center in Los Altos, California. Just remember to pay attention to the bristles, according to Michaela Tozzi, DMD, a specialist in general and cosmetic dentistry in Henderson, Nevada. “Make sure the bristles are soft … Bristles on a manual toothbrush that are too stiff can cause enamel damage as well as trauma and recession to the gums.” No. 2: Remember, Colgate and Tom’s of Maine toothpaste tubes are recyclable! You can certainly indulge in eco-friendly and natural toothpastes if your budget allows, but even if you stick to popular store brands like Colgate, or the slightly fancier Tom’s, you can be “green” and recycle!

No. 4 (Bonus): Sustainable floss is just as effective as regular floss. The packaging of standard floss often takes years to biodegrade. Thankfully, sustainable floss is just as effective! As long as your floss can get between your teeth to remove plaque, a low- waste or biodegradable option is an awesome way to go.

We hope these tips help make your dental care a little “greener” this month!

Make Your Grumpy Pets Smile The Little-Known Truth of Pet Oral Health

veterinarian should check your pet’s oral health at least once a year.

periodontal disease, the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. Early detection and treatment is crucial, since advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet (and even lead to total teeth removal). Prevent Disease — How to Help Your Cat or Dog The best way to prevent oral disease is to start brushing their teeth and training them when your pet is young. You can get special, affordable cat or dog oral care kits that give you the right tools to get started! Although your pet may not enjoy the feeling of their teeth being brushed, it’s certainly an important step toward their future happiness. Although we all know the importance of human oral health, we may forget how important it is for our furry best friends! We hope this helps spread more awareness. Don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian this month for more information.

Common Symptoms of Tooth Pain Pets in pain, dog or cat, may act ill-tempered, not like being touched, or experience more fatigue. However, for tooth pain specifically, you can look out for a few other symptoms, including:

• • • • • • • •

Bad breath

Has your pet always been grumpy? You’d be shocked by how often veterinarians see “mean” pets who are actually just suffering from tooth pain. After all, it’s impossible for pets to tell us where they hurt and why, and a pet’s oral health may be an owner’s last suspected cause of behavior issues. Unfortunately, just like in humans, poor oral health can lead to even more problems for your pet, including kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes and disease. That’s why a professional

Broken or loose teeth

Extra teeth or retained baby teeth Teeth discolored or covered in tartar Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth

Reduced appetite or refusal to eat

Bleeding from the mouth

Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

By the time your pet is 3 years old, there’s a good chance they are already showing early signs of

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It’s More Than Just Tidying Up Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring-cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. 4 Health Benefits of Spring-Cleaning

pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being.

Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses. Spring-cleaning helps you breathe better. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and

It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.

This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

To Our New Patients:We Appreciate You!

Abigail H. Abigail B. Able K. Adrienne A. Aidyn C. Alexandra M. Alice K. Alisha R.

Bethany R. Bill S. Bob H. Brandon H. Brandon J. Brandon V. Braylin B. Brenen L. Brittany S. Brooklyn H.

Claire W. Cody M. Coleen S. Colton M. Connie N. Corey F. Corey L. Courtney H. Craig M. Dallas B. Dan D. Dana W. Dana H. Daniel K. Daniel S. Danny P. Darlene S. Darrell C. David Y. Dawson F. Deb F. Debra P. Delena G. Dennis D. Dennis D. Dexter H.

Diane H. Diane S. Donald I. Donna F. Dorian T. Duane K. Edward G. Elaine D. Elise B. Elisha D.

Hannah S. Hannah S. Harleigh M. Heather C. Heather G. Holli M. Ian H. Isabella C.

Jennifer P. Jeremy C. Jess K. Jesse R. Jessica H. Jim S. Jimmy R. JJ S. John G. John H. John N. Joseph J. Joy B.

Karen B. Karen B. Kari J.

Kyle B. Larry F. Laura R.

Megan P. Megan T.

Patrick B. Paul L. Phil A. Phillip R. Ralph I. Randy P. Randy V. Randy Y. Ray V.

Sara B. Sara N. Sarah R. Scott F. Scott M. Scott V. Sebastian J. Shaana K. Shane G. Shannon C. Shannon S. Shelby M. Sherry S. Skylynn N.

Terry H. Terry W.

Melanie R. Melissa S. Melissa T. Melody B. Mercedes N. Michael W. Michael M. Michael B. Michael K. Michelle D. Mike D. Mildred R. Miranda L. Natalie J. Natasha C. Nathaniel K. Nicholas C. Nick C. Nicole J. Onyah G.

Thomas D. Thomas C. Thomas W. Tiffany C. Tiffany K. Tiffany W. Tim F. Timothy C. Tina S. Tiona N. Tom L. Trasa V. Travis A. Traylynn S. Tyler A. Veronica K. Veronon D. Victoria C. William H. Winter S. Yvonne D. Zach W. Zachary P. Zack P.

Karlena N. Karmindy V. Karter S. Kassandra H. Katherine A. Katherine W. Kathy K. Katie Kayla D. Kaylene B.

Leanne B. Leeland F. Leon W. Leroy N. Letizia L. Lexi N. Lillian B. Lisa S. Loretta D. Maalik J. Macie P. Maddie L. Maddie T. Maraya D.

Alisha M. Allison M. Alyssa T. Amanda B. Amber K. Andrew M. Angela E. Angela S. Anthony H. Arianna G. Arthur R. Ashley V. Ashley K. Ashley L. Ashley M. Audra W.

Jack S. Jake D.

Rebecca P. Richard D. Richard A. Robert C. Robert D. Robert W. Roxanne P. Roy S. Russell S. Ruth V. Sally E. Samantha H. Samantha T. Samantha B.

Bryan M. Brylee B.

Eric S. Erik F.

Jakob G. James V. James D. Janene K. Janie R.

Caleb J. Caleb S. Carson F. Cassandra T. Cassie R. Catherine D. Cathy F. Chad P. Charlie W. Chase T. Cheryl R. Chris O. Christian O. Cindy M.

Evan S. Evan S. Evan S. Evelyn H. Frank B. Gavin P. Gavin V.

Judy S. Julia T. Julie M. Justin l Justin T. Justin B.

Keith F. Kellie T. Kenneth R.

Steve C. Steve D.

Janna M. Jarard A. Jason G. Jayce C. Jaycey T. Jean W. Jean-Rene R. Jeff S. Jennifer B. Jennifer G. Jennifer E.

Keven Z. Kevin C. Kim S.

Steven S. Steven N. Sue L. Sue N. Sydney G. Tailor H. Tanya R. Tara P. Tara W. Teairra C.

Maria H. Mark M. Mark R.

George H. Glenda H. Glennda D. Gordon I. Gracie P. Grant Y. Gretchen M.

Kaitlyn H. Kaitlyn H. Kaitlyn S. Kaleb S. Kaleigh H.

Kimberly S. Kimberly C. Kimberly L.

Marshall D. Maryann B. Matthew B. Matthew M. Maverick H. Megan G.

Kirk V. Kirt V. Kodah A. Kris M.

Owen L. Paige P. Pamela P. Parry L.

Sammy R. Samuel T. Sara R.

Audrey I. Austin B. Ayla G.

Kalie A. Kara O.

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

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Inside THIS ISSUE How Oral Cancer Changed My Life

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3 Tips for Eco-Friendly Dental Care Make Your Pet Smile Again

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Get Healthy While Spring-Cleaning! We Appreciate Our New Patients!

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Create a Keepsake for Good Luck Year Round

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MAKE A 4-LEAF CLOVER KEEPSAKE But Find the Elusive Good-Luck Charm First

One of St. Patrick’s Day’s most popular symbols is a four-leaf clover. In Ireland, these clovers represent luck and good fortune. Each leaf on the clover has a different meaning — faith, hope, love, and success. It’s a tradition to find a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day and do activities involving this lucky leaf. So, how do you find these good-luck charms, and what can you do with them?

clovers will jump out at you. If you find one, keep looking! There’s a chance another one might be nearby.

Clover Craft Once you find your clover, preserve the luck in it all year by placing it in a picture frame. First, gently press the clover leaves between the pages of a large book for several days to flatten them out. After pressing, you can add green food coloring to your clover to enhance its color. Once it’s dry, clean it and let it sit overnight. Then, place your clover onto acid-free paper, cut to fit the size of a picture frame of your choice. Next, use acid- free glue to keep your clover in place, and finally, seal your frame shut. You now have your personal good luck charm! Searching for a four-leaf clover and creating a keepsake will be a great bonding experience for you and your family. We wish you luck! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

How to Find a 4-Leaf Clover Although it may seem difficult, it’s easier than you might think. First, find a dense patch of white clover — near it is where four-leaf clovers reside. They are different from the rest and are often smaller, so keep that in mind when you look for the lucky green clovers.

Instead of staring at the patch in close detail and counting leaves, search the patch without focusing on the tiny details. This increases the odds of eyeing a four-leaf clover because the different patterns, shapes, and sizes of these

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