Robinson Dental - September 2021

Robinson Dental - September 2021

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

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

SEPTEMBER 2021

MEET SARAH HAZEL, OUR NEW PATIENT CARE SPECIALIST! ‘It Fills My Heart to See Patients Leave Happy’

It’s also been surprising to learn just how common some procedures are. Before my time at Robinson Dental, as someone who’s never undergone orthodontic surgery, I think I would’ve felt a little alone or scared if I suddenly had to. But now that I’ve worked at Robinson Dental, not only do I understand the procedure behind crowns or dentures more, but I also feel a lot more comfortable with the idea of dental work being common and necessary. I’ve seen people of all ages get all kinds of dental work done to achieve their smile goals — and, as some other staff members can tell you, it’s an emotional moment when people get their perfect smiles back. If you ask me what surprised me the most, however, I’d tell you this: I never knew that adults could get Invisalign. I’ve lived with a large overbite my whole life, and I’ve always wanted to get it fixed but assumed that I’d outgrown my time window to fix it. Now, I’ve realized that even people in their 40s get Invisalign.

Hey, there! I’m Sarah Hazel, and as a new Patient Care Specialist, I’m honored to be featured on the Robinson Dental newsletter this month! Behind the front desk, you’ll likely find me among the first faces that welcome you to our dental office — and I’ve loved every minute of the job so far, even though so many things were unexpected. I’ll be honest: I never imagined that I’d work in the dental industry, although I have always taken my dental health seriously. However, it’s been a perfect fit so far. Providing people with an

amazing experience has always been part of my greatest passions in life. For example, my background in music education and working as a receptionist at a local church have been huge steps in my journey, allowing me to explore my passion for connecting and providing for people. I found Robinson Dental because, well, I live right here in Wayland! When I worked at my church — although it was a great experience — my 30-minute commute was starting to take a toll on my volunteer work and personal life. I always had Robinson Dental on my

I love that Robinson Dental provides so much variety of care, from hygiene to ortho to cosmetic — there’s almost nothing our expert dentists and dental team can’t do. Maybe that’s why the best part of my job is seeing patients when they first enter the practice, and the big smile they bring with them when they leave. No matter what they come in for, it fills my heart to see patients leave happy.

Outside of work, you’ll probably find me volunteering at the Jenison community theatre, Shadblow Theatre, as a member of their advisory committee. I’m often acting or directing while running their social media content. I’ve also done Broadway concerts, but I knew I’d love the field more as a hobby rather than a job! When I’m not volunteering, you can bet that my husband and puppies are my whole world.

radar because I’d heard such good things about their office and care. When a position opened up, I finally decided to apply. Now, I work only four minutes away from my home. It’d even be an easy walk! Now that I’m a part of the Robinson Dental team, I have to say that I’m so impressed by just how friendly the staff here is. As a patient, you might think, “Surely, some of these people are just smiling because I’m a patient.” And they are! It’s rare to find a workplace where people genuinely care about both the people they’re serving and the people they work with. At Robinson, everyone is friends and spends time with each other even outside of work. It’s been a smooth transition so far, in no small part because of the cozy, familial atmosphere here.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll say hi and share a smile with me at your next visit to our Wayland location!

–Sarah Hazel 1 616-384-4129

3 Things to Do Before Your Graduate Leaves

Cover the Household Basics If there’s one thing to look forward to, it’s all the laundry you won’t have to do anymore. And the fridge will be fully stocked without ravenous teens emptying it regularly! But before you drop your child off at college or their new home, make sure they can manage laundry, cook basic meals, and keep a tidy space. Some basics to cover include the difference between hot and cold wash and how to make scrambled eggs. Make a Budget Living as a broke young adult is almost like a rite of passage to “real” adulthood, but you can make this experience easier just by opening that often taboo door and talking about money. Explain the processes or budgeting systems that work for your family and guide your child through their potential living expenses. Try test runs so they understand how much they will have to spend on necessities, like groceries, hygiene items, and gas. Pro Tip: Before your children take off, don’t forget to schedule one more dental appointment! We can set up recurring appointments during breaks to ensure their oral health is never compromised.

Congratulations to parents sending their children off to college or “the real world” this year! Parenthood is not for the faint of heart — from toddler meltdowns to angsty teenage years, you might be counting down the days to an empty nest.

Yet, that doesn’t make your child moving off to college any easier.

Fear not, for you can help your child live more independently at college in many ways and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your baby is going to be fine. Prepare Legal Documents Once they turn 18, your child is no longer under your care — legally speaking. You can no longer make decisions for them, including medical decisions, should they become incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. Connect with a trusted attorney to create medical and financial powers of attorney that give you these rights. (Just consult with your child first before doing so!)

Prepping for an Empty Nest?

I Want Invisalign! What Can I Expect? LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS AND MAINTENANCE

every day. Ask your dentist when you should move on to the next aligner set. Everyone is different, but most people spend an average of 1–2 weeks per set. Maintenance It’s important to properly maintain your aligners to get the best results and because it’s an investment in your health. Here are some tips on how to take care of your aligners: • See your dentist every 4–6 weeks • Avoid staining drinks • Be sure to clean your aligners • Brush and floss your teeth in the morning and at night • If your aligners are yellow, that means

If you’re reading this, you may already know that Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces. The Invisalign process uses a number of transparent plastic aligners to correct the alignment of your teeth over time. Plus, no one likes the look or feel of metal braces, but with Invisalign, it’s likely no one will know you’re wearing aligners. Let’s get into the process of correcting your teeth, how to properly maintain your aligners, and what else to expect. The Process The first step is coming in for a consultation. This is where your dentist will talk to you about whether Invisalign is right for you and your particular teeth and bite. Second, the custom aligner trays are made with the help of impressions and digital photos/ X‑rays. Your dentist will give you the first tray and talk more about proper use and maintenance.

Your teeth may slightly move after you finish all your aligners. If this does happen, your dentist will make a custom fit retainer and instruct you when to wear it. What Else to Expect While it is custom fit for you, when you first put on your aligners, you should feel some tightness and may experience some discomfort for a couple of days. This is because they are exerting pressure on your teeth to correct them. The discomfort should go down over the course of a few days, but if it doesn’t or if it gets worse, let your dentist know. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to let your expert team at Robinson Dental know! We’ll happily answer any concerns you may have.

bacteria is building up and they need to be thoroughly cleaned. The good news is they easily pop in and out. Make sure your aligners are in their case when you’re not using them to reduce the risk of being damaged.

In order to achieve the best results, you will need to wear the aligners 20–22 hours a day

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Bite, the Zero-Waste Capsule Toothpaste – Worth It?

WORD SEARCH

Everyone wants to save the planet and do their part by purchasing affordable, zero-waste products. At Robinson Dental, it’s exciting to see companies try out new experimental products that challenge the field of dentistry to spark innovation and creativity.

Toothpaste Bits from the company Bite, which come in refillable glass jars, might do just that — but they need a little work.

The Good Have you ever seen toothpaste come in a hard capsule rather than a tube? Neither have we! It’s a neat, modern twist on toothpaste that might help inspire someone to brush their teeth more often. How does it work, you may ask? First, put the toothpaste capsule in your mouth and bite down. Then, start brushing with a wet toothbrush. As you smile and open your mouth, you’ll notice the toothpaste start to foam as you brush. Continue brushing your teeth as normal and brush twice every day. A lot of people are in love with this product. The subscription makes it easy to stay in stock, and it’s a good feeling to keep plastic tubes out of the landfill. There are plenty of healthy, natural ingredients included in this toothpaste. However, people should be aware of a few drawbacks. The Bad Any dental professional will draw a red flag when it comes to the absence of fluoride in toothpaste. Fluoride is a proven safe ingredient that prevents cavities and strengthens teeth — not to mention that the toothpaste isn’t ADA approved, either. Many reviews also report that the foam tends to be a little too thick and almost “sticky” when spitting out. All in all, it might be best to wait on spending your hard-earned money on a product like Bite. However, we think it’s a great idea going in the right direction! We’ll keep an eye on it for you, for sure.

ABUNDANT APPLES COOKOUT CRUNCHY

FALL GOLDEN GRANDPARENTS HARVEST

LABOR MAPLE SPORTS WINDY

PB&J on a Stick

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

Transform a traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich by adding fruit and all the fun of eating it like you would at the fair. Lunchtime was never so exciting!

INGREDIENTS

• Peanut butter of choice • Jelly of choice • Sliced bread • 1 cup of grapes, red or green • 2 bananas, peeled and cut into rounds • Kebab skewers, one per sandwich

DIRECTIONS

1. Spread peanut butter and jelly onto two pieces of sliced bread and create a sandwich. Make as many sandwiches as you have kebab skewers. 2. Slice the sandwich or sandwiches into four pieces. 3. Slide one piece of sandwich onto a skewer. Follow that piece with one grape, then one banana round. Repeat until the skewer is full or the skewer has four sandwich pieces.

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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 Meet Sarah Hazel, Our New Patient Care Specialist! 3 Things All Students Need Before Moving to College I Want Invisalign — What Can I Expect?

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Is This Trendy Capsule Toothpaste Worth It? Lunchtime Idea: PB&J on a Stick

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Nothing to See Here: Mystery Spot Tourism

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The most famous mystery spot is in Santa Cruz, California, but it has cousins in Oregon, West Virginia, and Michigan. Each one is inexplicable — drawing thousands of people every year to come and spend their tourist dollars. And for many, the whole thing is just one big hoax, designed to take in suckers and generate cash. Although Santa Cruz has the most visitors, it was “inspired” by the Oregon Vortex, which was a spot that had odd occurrences “documented” back to the early frontier days. From a mining office sliding off its foundation to the high presence of optical illusions, the Vortex was the home to some odd events. Naturally, the thing to do was build a structure there and start taking people’s money! It’s not a coincidence that these locations began to pop up at the same time as the average American got access to automobiles — “roadside attractions” of all kinds have been the rage since people began to tour America by car, and it’s pretty clear that, real or not, these mystery spots fall into that category. That’s why many of them have updated over the years to suit changing tastes — such as the Michigan St. Ignace Mystery Spot’s addition of zip lines and other attractions. And unlike many other roadside attractions, mystery spots continue to draw attention. Something in the American psyche loves the idea of the paranormal; Google “Europe mystery spots” and you’re likely to discover lists of unique vacation destinations. Perhaps they recapture the “paradise is just over the hill” mystery that in part drove colonization of the American West.

A HISTORY OF THE MYSTERY SPOT Nothing to See Here

Or perhaps it’s all a bunch of hooey. The best way to decide, of course, is to visit one of these mystery spots for yourself!

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