Robinson Dental - November 2021

Robinson Dental - November 2021

What Shocked Me Most About Oral Health Dental Digest NOVEMBER 2021 My Dental Journey as a Dental Assistant WAYLAND •899 Reno Drive •Wayland, MI •49348 •269-509-4155 COOPERSVILLE •502 W. Randall St. •Coopersville, MI •49404•616-384-4129

Hi, everyone! I’m Taylor, a dental assistant at Robinson Dental. My role isn’t just helping our doctors through any procedure needed (i.e., fillings, implants, crowns, etc.), but also getting to know our patients on a personal level. I love learning about our patients and being by their side, especially if it can make sitting in the dentist’s chair a little less scary.

about why fillings are so important, which can prevent a cavity from having body-altering effects.

In a way, knowing these scary facts empowered my choice to go into dentistry. Then, I had the best luck I could’ve asked for when, during my externship, I was placed at Robinson Dental. After working at Robinson Dental as a student, I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else and joined the team full time a year and a half ago. The atmosphere was so unique and supportive — whether you’re a patient or a staff member, you know that people care about you as soon as you step through the door. In a past part-time job, I used to hear only negative things in the workplace, and that’d bring me down. But at Robinson Dental, nobody brings negativity into the office, no matter what they’re dealing with in their life. And if someone is really going through a rough time, we always have each other’s backs to make the burden a little easier. Everyone’s friendly, supportive attitude makes our work environment super fun. It’s always exciting to come to work to see my new and regular patients as well as spending time with my second family, and, as you might’ve read in past newsletters, I know a lot of our team feels the same way. Outside of work, I’m big on spending time with family. In fact, as you’re reading this, I’ll likely be away on a hunting trip in Montana to spend time with my grandpa! Bow hunting is also a big part of my life, so if you like hunting, playing soccer, or watching soccer and football, we definitely have a lot to talk about. If you see me around, I hope you say hi sometime!

Actually, before I became a dental assistant, I’ve had to do a lot of sitting in the chair myself. I didn’t take my oral health super seriously for much of my early life and had to go through orthodontic treatments and get a lot of fillings done. At that point, my oral health became much more important to me, and in learning about the field through my dental assistant aunt, I decided to go into dental assisting myself. Despite my past treatments, I’ll admit, my concern for oral health went to a whole new level upon learning about the mouth-body connection. It shocked me to learn facts about how periodontitis (gum disease) could be linked to diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s and that you can even passively die from a mouth infection. I started becoming serious about it to my grandparents, parents, and siblings. I even explained to my nieces “It shocked me to learn facts about how periodontitis (gum disease) could be linked to diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s and that you can even passively die from a mouth infection.”

–Taylor McNutt

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3 TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME Have a Low-Stress Holiday

The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents

is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun. NIGHT GUARDS VS. SPORTS GUARDS Sports Mouthguards It’s common for people to wear protective equipment on their head, chest, arms, and legs, but it’s important not to forget about your mouth. Sports mouthguards help protect your teeth from an external impact. Even if you’re participating in a non-contact sport like motocross or skiing, it’s still a good idea to have and wear a sports mouthguard that’s tailored to your bite pattern by your dentist.

Protecting Your Teeth

Night Guards Night guards are meant to prevent your teeth from grinding together while you’re sleeping. A lot of people don’t know if they grind their teeth at night because they’re sleeping. However, if you wake up in the morning with headaches, toothaches, sensitive teeth, or a sore jaw, it may be a sign that you’re grinding your teeth.

Both night guards and sports mouthguards might seem like the same thing at first glance — but don’t forget they’re specifically made for different purposes. Generic stock mouthguards are available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. However, since they are not a custom fit, it is unlikely to effectively protect your teeth, and they may not be comfortable at all. A boil-and-bite mouthguard requires you to boil it, then once it softens, bite down and let it set that way so it is molded to your teeth. However, those kinds of mouthguards generally don’t have the integrity or strength to really protect your teeth. While it is molded to your teeth, it may still irritate your gums and lips and cause more problems over an extended period of time. That’s why Robinson Dental offers custom- made night guards and sports mouthguards that help protect your teeth.

Teeth grinding can also worsen

It’s important to never use these mouthguards interchangeably. Night guards tend to be thinner than sports

temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This is when your temporomandibular joint is stressed, inflamed, damaged, etc., causing your jaw to lock, pop, and/or hurt. Whether you grind your

mouthguards, so they’re more comfortable to sleep in and wear for extended periods of time. Plus, they don’t need to be as bulky since they’re not meant to protect your teeth from trauma. If you want to ensure that you have a quality mouthguard for your intended use, don’t hesitate to get one made just for you by our experts at Robinson Dental!

teeth, have TMJ disorder, or both, a custom night guard can help alleviate pain and provide relief.

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Mouthwash — Is It Worth Using? The Pros and Cons Mouthwash may be a habitual part of your oral health routine, but because mouthwash has become routine, you may not pause and wonder why you’re using it in the first place. As with everything in life, using mouthwash has its pros and cons. Before we dive into this, it’s important to note that mouthwash can’t replace flossing; without flossing, bacteria buildup between your teeth and gums can still increase your risk of oral disorders and disease. Now, let’s talk about the benefits and drawbacks of mouthwash! The Pros Mouthwash can help fight cavities by rinsing away bacteria that might otherwise cling to your teeth and contribute to decay, especially if your mouthwash contains fluoride, which strengthens your teeth’s enamel. Also, by rinsing away bacteria, that also means bacteria will be less likely to stick to your gums and cause inflammation, infection, or gum disease.

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CIDER CORNUCOPIA FEAST GALES

GATHERING PIES

STUFFING THANKFUL TRADITION VETERANS

PILGRIMS SCORPIO

Besides keeping your teeth and gums healthy, there are cosmetic effects. Some mouthwashes may help remove stains from your teeth and contribute to a whiter appearance overall. Mouthwash can also freshen your breath, which is a great confidence booster to start and end your day on. Lastly — and not everyone knows this — a gentle, nonalcoholic mouthwash is also great for soothing canker sores by eradicating inflammation-causing bacteria around the sore. Of course, using mouthwash alone isn’t enough to reap these benefits. With a comprehensive oral care routine, you can enjoy all of these benefits and much more.

Easy Pumpkin Brownies

Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com

If you have a hard time choosing between chocolate cake and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, this 2-for-1 treat will knock your socks off.

INGREDIENTS

The Cons Mouthwashes may have strong antibacterial properties, but unfortunately, this can also make them irritate your mouth tissue and make it more difficult for canker sores to heal. Also, some mouthwashes can actually stain your teeth, and alcohol-based mouthwashes may even cause dry mouth, which leads to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities. Lastly, mouthwash might conceal a potential oral disorder, like chronic halitosis (or bad breath). Although regular mouthwash use can help conceal chronic bad breath, it doesn’t treat or solve the issue. Make sure to communicate with your dentist on any developments in your oral health routine, not simply ramping up your mouthwash use when regular breath issues occur.

• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

• 1/2 can pumpkin purée • 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!

If you have any questions about mouthwash, don’t hesitate to ask our team at Robinson Dental!

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

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Inside THIS ISSUE What Shocked Taylor Most About Oral Health

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Lowering Holiday Stress Night Guards vs. Sports Guards

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The Pros and Cons of Mouthwash Easy Pumpkin Brownies

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The Link Between Oral Health and Digestion

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The Link Between Oral Health and Digestion Healthy Digestion Starts Where?

Did you know that the health of your mouth is directly linked to other parts of your body? Regular dental visits are paramount to ensure your digestive health as well as your overall health! A healthier mouth promotes a healthier body. Proper digestion plays a major role in your overall health. Your gut is linked to your immune system, metabolism, and even your brain. Your mouth, which shares a close bond with your gut, may be the easiest way to detect a problem elsewhere in your body, especially digestive issues and diseases.

on your gums and inside of your cheeks, they could point to a potential vitamin B12 deficiency. Lack of B12, or an inability to properly absorb the vitamin, can potentially mean bigger problems in another area of your body. Tooth decay also weakens your immune system. Dental issues and diseases are often the very first signs of a digestive imbalance. If you have an immune imbalance within your gut, it can present with mouth ulcers and inflamed, red gums. Celiac disease, an autoimmune response to gluten, can interfere with tooth formation, resulting in discolored teeth and possibly mouth ulcers.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, all present in the mouth in the form of an oral infestation. You may even develop white lesions within your mouth, similar to the ones within the colon. Bleeding gums or gingivitis is a sign that somewhere within your digestive system, there is a problem. If you have painful lesions or red patches

To maximize your gut health, you must first take a look within your mouth, as it can be the window to many other potential issues going on elsewhere in your body. A healthy, happy mouth equals a healthy, happy gut!

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