Robinson Dental - May 2021

Robinson Dental - May 2021

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

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

MAY 2021

Exploring a Whole New World

MEET OUR HYGIENIST AND SUPERMOM, MEGHAN!

Hello friends! I’m Meghan Page, and I’ve been a dental hygienist with Robinson Dental for over seven years. Like many of my featured coworkers, I didn’t always plan to get into dentistry, but it was my lifelong aspiration to work in health care. I just didn’t know what that’d look like for a while. After getting married, I worked in retail for a few years before I realized it just wasn’t satisfying for me. I needed a career that’d be fulfilling, and for me, I had a feeling that could only be in health care. My only worry was whether it’d limit my ability to raise my family. I wanted to have the flexibility to be home or attend events and generally be available for my family’s needs.

a parallel experience at times. Not all patients are thrilled about walking into a dental office, and they can deal with a lot of anxiety and fear. I try my best to help patients feel a little more comfortable. It’s really cool to see them begin to trust us and follow our recommendations — scared patients suddenly become comfortable at follow-up visits. Cleanings barely hurt due to healthy gums, and they start to enjoy taking care of their smile. Seeing our patients’ journeys is why I enjoy all of the one-on-one time I get with patients. I love talking with the same patients over and over, and I become familiar with their whole family. It’s a lot of fun for me to hear about their work, school, hobbies, and life. Another thing that amazes me about my new career is Robinson Dental as a dental practice. I’m constantly impressed by their ability to push forward and plan the next step. We always have the latest, state-of-the- art dental technology and follow all of the latest industry regulations. We get thorough training and have an understanding of new information in the field, and I really appreciate that. Beyond work, family is my life! My husband and I have been married for 17 years after we met as teenagers. We have two kids together. Our 13-year-old daughter is an amazing dancer and artist. My son is 7 years old and is incredibly bright. You could say children are a big part of our lives; my husband is a children’s pastor at our church and works at various church activities. We also LOVE going to Disney World once a year — at a minimum. We really enjoy that time to explore the park and be together as a family. Disneyland is on our bucket list! Tell me your favorite Disney stories when you stop by. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the office!

After a little research, I realized that working in a hospital would be too demanding on my schedule. I chose dentistry and never looked back.

After I graduated from hygienist school — while pregnant with my second child — I joined Robinson Dental. I quickly decided that this is where I wanted to be! The rest is history.

“After I graduated from hygienist school — while pregnant with my second child — I joined Robinson Dental. I quickly decided that this is where I wanted to be!”

I’m thrilled to say I don’t regret anything about my decision to be a hygienist. The most rewarding aspect of my work is my ability to educate patients on their teeth. During school, there was so much I never realized about taking good care of my teeth, and it surprised me what a massive difference simple habitual changes can make.

–Meghan Page

Some people compare the role of a hygienist to the role of a nurse when it comes to comforting or educating patients, and I can totally see that. It’s

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5 COVID-Safe Gifts for Your Child’s Teacher DON’T MISS TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH!

When parents first came up with the idea of sending their children to school with an apple as a teacher’s gift, they weren’t counting on a pandemic. In many places, schools are still operating online or using a mix of virtual and in-person learning, and even kids attending in person don’t

yard with signs! You can use a professional sign company like Sign Gypsies or make your own.

3. Quarantine Kit: Teachers working in person put themselves at risk every day, and a quarantine kit is the perfect gift in case the worst happens. You can include helpful items like hand sanitizer or personalized masks along with goodies like adult coloring books, novels, and more. Simply email the teacher to find out how to get your gift to them. 4. Sanitizer and Other Learning Tools for the Classroom: Many school districts are underfunded, and the money for sanitary supplies, pencils, markers, glue sticks, and more comes out of the teacher’s pocket. Buying items like this for when they’re back at school will really brighten their day. 5. A Note From You and Your Child: According to a teacher survey done by The Strategist, handwritten notes are one of the best gifts a teacher can receive. To really make an impact, sit down with your child and write a note from both of you, thanking the teacher for their hard work. Then, send it via snail mail or scan it and email it their way!

want to get within 6 feet of their teacher to hand over fruit! So, what are your options for Teacher Appreciation Month? There are more than you might think. If you have the resources, consider gifting one of these pandemic- friendly items that teachers will love. 1. Virtual Gift Card: These days, you can easily send gift cards by email, and your options include everything from Amazon to DoorDash. Does your child’s teacher have a coffee addiction or a passion for dinosaurs? You can find the perfect gift card with a Google search.

2. Thank-You Yard Signs: If you live in a small town or have access to your child’s teacher’s address, consider “gratitude bombing” their front

6 Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENTS PAINLESS!

Gum disease is a serious issue that affects nearly half of American adults. If it’s caught early, gum disease can be reversed. However, if it’s allowed to progress unchecked, you could pass the point of no return. Here are six ways that you can prevent gum disease and keep your smile healthy! 1. Maintain good oral hygiene. Although this may seem obvious, good oral care is crucial for having healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is not enough — especially when it comes to gum disease. You should add flossing to your routine to reduce the risk of plaque building up and damaging your gums. When flossing, be sure to get up and under your gums to remove any plaque that’s hiding there. 2. Take in vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Including more vitamin C in your

diet not only helps prevent gum disease but can also help treat any swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth. 3. Watch your diet. Nothing helps more in preventing gum disease than maintaining a healthy diet. Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they can lead to tooth decay and gum damage. 4. Drink water. Staying hydrated is necessary for preventing gum disease and promoting overall health. Drinking plenty of water produces more saliva, which helps fight off bacteria that can cause gum infection. 5. Avoid tobacco. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products (including e-cigs) has been known to cause countless health issues, especially gum disease.

Tobacco products are very harmful to your gums and should be avoided at all costs.

6. Get regular teeth cleanings. Seeing your dentist regularly cannot be stressed enough. A routine teeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gumline. During your dental cleaning, our dentists will also be able to spot signs of gum disease like bleeding gums. If your gums are healthy, you’ll be surprised by how much more pleasant your teeth cleanings can be. We hope these tips help! Thanks for reading, and we will catch you next month!

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WORD SEARCH

IS WATER FLOSSING AS EFFECTIVE AS REGULAR FLOSSING? Let’s Look at a Trending Product, Waterpik

BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY

EMERALD GEMINI GRADUATION LILY

MEMORIAL MOTHER PARANORMAL VETERANS

Flossing isn’t only important for keeping your breath fresher for longer — it also makes a huge difference in your long-term oral health because it prevents gum disease from developing within inflamed gums. But if flossing seems like a huge pain to begin with, you might be wondering: “What’s water flossing?” The Advantages of Waterpik With over 68,000 reviews on Amazon, the Waterpik is a trending product that emits a small jet of water, promising to clean between your teeth, and provides benefits similar to flossing. There are several useful aspects to a Waterpik — it can get into hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, like all sides of your back teeth or periodontal pockets caused by early gum disease. They’re also easy and completely safe to use, but users have a slight learning curve while figuring out the most comfortable water temperature and pressure. For best results, place the tip in the mouth before turning it on and go gently along your gumline, starting with your back teeth and working toward the front. Continue until both the inside and the outside of your upper and lower teeth have been cleaned. The Disadvantages of Waterpik The rinsing action of a Waterpik is not always as effective for removing plaque. You can use string floss first if you’d like to scrape and loosen plaque. Waterpiks are most effective at rinsing out residue and plaque left behind after flossing. Also, Waterpiks carry a hefty price tag, ranging between $60–$140 depending on the model you purchase. Ultimately, traditional flossing usually gets the job done best. Although, if you tend to over-floss (i.e., cause healthy gums to bleed) or you’re a little intimidated using floss, you may want to consider using a Waterpik. A little water flossing is often better than no flossing!

Easy & Healthy Green Rice

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

This rice recipe is perfect for getting your kids to eat their greens without realizing it!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

However, every mouth is different. Talk to your dentist and see if a tool like Waterpik would work best for your routine!

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Inside THIS ISSUE Meghan’s Journey Into Dentistry

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5 COVID-Safe Gifts for Your Child’s Teacher 6 Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

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Water Flossing — Does It Work? Green Rice Recipe

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5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness

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You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

Get Fit WithYour Family 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll.

2. Have a dance party . Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.

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