Sabal Dental January 2018

January 2018

1406 Hwy 35 N, Suite C., Rockport, TX 78382 |

www.SabalDental.com

361-729-1333

|

Resolutions and Parenting Encouraging Good Habits for the Whole Family

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, I think it’s safe to say most of us spend the last few weeks of the year overindulging in all the good stuff. We get too much food and too little exercise during the chaos of the holidays. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the holiday season, and I think the indulgence is part of the reason why we make New Year’s resolutions. They give us the opportunity to mentally prepare for getting back into the habit of being active, eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking water, and living healthier in general. I’ll admit that most of these resolutions don’t last more than a few months, but I think it’s still good to try. There are many ways we can improve as people, and the fresh slate of a new year is an ideal time to look for those possible avenues for betterment. This is especially important because, as a parent, the resolutions I make aren’t just for myself; I’m striving to set a good example for my kids, too. Parents face the constant challenge of teaching their kids good habits, and I think the new year is a great time to prioritize positive practices. Kids watch everything we do, so if we make it a point to eat healthier and talk to them about why we need exercise, they can develop these habits, too. But it’s not as easy as “monkey see, monkey do.” Has anyone else found their kids happily picking up on their unconscious bad habits and completely resisting the good habits we actually want them to learn? My boys are still so little, and it can be hard to tell if they are picking up on any positive habits my husband and I try to teach. Parenting can feel like an uphill battle, which is why we celebrate the little victories. I remember the first time I got my oldest son, Duncan, to eat green beans. It was a huge struggle, but when he finally took a bite, he looked up and declared, “I love green beans!”

Homework is another challenge we face. Getting Duncan to sit down and work has been a real battle, but I can see this starting to pay off as he tries to read everything on his own. We’ll be driving down the road and he’ll read the signs. When we stop at a restaurant, he reads the menus. He’s so excited about this new world opening up to him. It makes the effort worth it. Celebrating the little victories is as important in parenting as it is in keeping resolutions. We’re all human, bound to make mistakes. If we only focus on our mistakes, we can end up asking, “Why bother?” We need to acknowledge what we do right. If you set out to change 10 things in your life, and you only keep two changes in the long run, then that is still two important improvements made. It’s certainly worth celebrating. As a family, we’re not huge on resolutions, but I think finding ways to improve yourself and to encourage healthier living for your family is vastly important. It’s a habit we can practice all year long.

–Dr. Valerie Sperry

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Tools to Print Your Social Media Photos FROM THE WEB TO THE WALL

According to Gizmodo, Facebook users upload 300 million photos per day. Similarly, 95 million photos and videos are shared on Instagram daily. Social media is a great platform for sharing and storing, but what if you want to literally hold on to those memories? That’s where Free Prints and Social Print Studio come into play. Free Prints The most attractive aspect of the Free Prints app is right in the name. Users can download 85 free 4-by-6-inch photo prints a month (up to 1,000 a year). But you can only print one free copy of each photo. Additional prints will run you 9 cents each. Standard shipping costs $2.99, and your photos arrive

Instagram, Dropbox, Flickr, and Picasa. The app is free and available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Windows 8. Once your photos are uploaded and

“I took my 3-year-old daughter here and everybody was so calm and patient with her. They didn’t force anything on her. Great place!” –Anonymous “I am old enough to have bad memories about the dentist. Aberdeen Smiles uses new technology. My comfort is important to them. Honestly, since I have been going to Aberdeen Smiles for the past several years, I have stopped getting cavities. Their techniques really work.” –Nancy C. “Your staff members were amazing, polite, and very efficient. You care about the people from the moment they walk in to the time they walk out, and the place was comfortable.” –Jennifer S. “I’ve had wo v ry good experiences at the dentist. My hygienist is excellent and efficient! I’ve recommended this office to several of my friends! Thanks so much.” –Philip K. “My appointment at Sabal D ntal in Rockport was a positive experience. All the staff were friendly, and the wait time was relatively short. Atmosphere was more o a one-on-one feeling, and not just another mouth t tend to. Thanks, Sabal Den al.” –Anonymous saved, you can then browse PhotoAffections.com, where you can order a variety of custom products, including magnets, canvas prints, and phone cases. Social Print Studio Functioning as both a website and a stand-alone app, Social Print Studio is a small company based in San Francisco that has been printing social media photos since 2010. While this company is capable of printing photos of your social media posts, they can do so much more with your digital memories. Social Print Studio’s products are divided into four categories: photobooks, the classics, wall art, and everything else. You can order your photos printed in soft, hard, or layflat book form. Their classic options include postcards, mighty prints, and photostrips. Or, turn your photos into beautiful wall art with metal prints, canvas prints, and wall calendars. You can even get greeting cards, stickers, and buttons. Pricing varies by item, but one thing remains constant: Social Print Studio is dedicated to offering the best products possible. The app is free and available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. While sharing photos on social media accounts is an easy way to store your memories, these apps will help you keep and display those memories for years to come. The next time you need to spiff up your walls or give an extra-special gift, pay them a visit!

within five to 13 days. Or, for an additional dollar, they can arrive in four to six days. If you choose to print photos in sizes other than 4-by-6 inches, you will have to pay more for the service. The app is well- designed and easy to use; you can print photos from your device’s library or link your accounts

to print directly from Facebook,

Testimonials.......................................... Here’s what our patients are saying about us!

Take a look at what these happy patients had to say about our practice. “Your office provides a relaxed atmosphere. I did not have to wait. My appointment took place at its scheduled time. The receptionist was helpful in setting up an appointment with a specialist for my root canal. Loved the options to have wax treatment for hands and the chair warmer! The hygienist was relaxed but very friendly and chatty.” –Tammy A. “The office staff and Dr. Fettig are all very nice and accommodating. Very gentle, polite, and courteous. We loved Dr. Opp and he chose a wonderful replacement.” –Anonymous “I was extremely impressed with the staff at Sabal Dental! I called for an emergency visit, as I have just moved to h area. They were able to g t me in th day I called. Dr. Sperry and the entire staff w re especially welco ing and m de m feel s at ease. Would highly recomme to anyone who is in the Rockport a !” –Kathy S. “The st ff was so nice and they were so go d with my kids. They actually want to go back. We f el lucky to have found such a great dentist’s office!” –Holly S.

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What You Don’t Know About Sleep and Oral Health

oral health,” says Preston D. Miller Jr., DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “It is also important to keep these in mind as the body of evidence linking oral disease with systemic diseases continues to grow, because ultimately, these factors might impact a patient’s overall health.” This connection is especially strong with periodontal disease. Heart surgeons have found the very same bacteria in clogged arteries as those in gums. Why does sleep matter so much? Well, it’s the time when your body restores itself. Your body needs to recover after strenuous exercise in order to get the most out of a workout, and the same is true for your mouth. At night, you’re more likely to breathe through your nose, which allows your mouth to produce more regenerative saliva. A good night’s sleep also lowers stress levels and regulates blood sugar. To make sure you’re getting the highest quality sleep, it’s important to establish a routine. The more your body clock can acclimate to a pattern of expected sleep, the less likely you will be to wake up in the middle of the night. Avoid eating right before bed, especially after you’ve brushed and flossed. Also, limit your screen time before bed to ensure a good night’s rest. Oral health is only one of the many benefits of getting more (and better) sleep. Rest up for increased focus, better memory, and brighter moods.

We all know brushing before bed is the key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You may be surprised to learn, though, that what happens after you brush can make a huge difference as well. Sleep quality has a massive impact on oral health, in regards to both periodontal disease and bad breath. A study commissioned by the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, led by Dr. Muneo Tanaka, sought to examine the influence of lifestyle factors on gum disease. They observed 219 patients over the course of four years, monitoring hours of sleep, hours of work, exercise, alcohol use, smoking, eating breakfast, overall diet, and physical and mental stress. When the results came back, only smoking was a bigger risk factor than lack of sleep. Those patients who had seven to eight hours of sleep fared much better than those with six or fewer. “This study points out to patients that there are lifestyle factors other than brushing and flossing that may affect their

Have a Laugh

PISTACHIO GOJI BERRY GRANOLA

(Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.)

Ingredients • 1 cup rolled oats • ½ teaspoon salt

¹ / 3 cup pistachios, chopped

•

• ¼ cup coconut flakes • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • ¹ / 3 cup goji berries

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil • 3 tablespoons maple syrup Directions 1. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oats in a thin layer and toast for 1–2 minutes. Add coconut oil and salt, then stir. Continue toasting for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. Add maple syrup 1 tablespoon at a time; stir to coat. 3. Once oats are toasted, add pistachios, coconut flakes, and

cinnamon. Cook slowly until pistachios and coconut flakes are toasted but not burned, for about 5 minutes. 4. Remove from pan and stir in goji berries. 5. Let cool and enjoy as a snack or on top of your yogurt!

Recipe inspired by LoveAndLemons.com.

Sabal General Dentistry • 361-729-1333 • 3

Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1406 Hwy 35 N, Suite C. Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-1333 www.SabalDental.com

Inside This Issue

New Year’s Resolutions for the Family Page 1 Hold On to Your Memories Page 2 Hear From Our Clients Page 2 The Easiest Way to Improve Oral Health Page 3 Start the Day Right With This Granola Page 3 A Trip May Change Your Child’s Life Page 4

Ways Travel Can Transform Your Kids 3

2. They pick up new skills. While traveling, kids may learn a bit of conversational Spanish during a trip to Mexico or play soccer with a group of children. By fostering a sense of healthy curiosity about new places, you’ll help your child feel confident enough to branch out of their comfort zone and make new friends at home and on the road. 3. They’ll develop compassion. After a trip to Fiji, Lonely Planet Kids writer Patrick Kinsella found that, long after they returned, his eldest daughter continued to reflect on her experience. “It’s an eye- and mind-opening experience, especially for Ivy, who has never before considered that someone her age might not have a TV, let alone lack electricity,” Kinsella writes. “For many months afterward, Ivy talk[ed] about Po, imagining her Fijian friend’s life.” Because they’re so open-minded, kids are the perfect sponges for new experiences. At the very least, they’ll be less likely to take what they have for granted, and they might even develop an expansive and exploratory worldview.

When you go on a trip, whether it’s a quick jaunt to a neighboring town or a weeklong stay in an exotic locale, you interact with new people and cultures. It’s one

thing to hear someone talk about the laid-back vibes of the West Coast, but you can’t really feel them for yourself until you’ve meandered through the redwoods or watched the sun set over Puget Sound. Imagine the positive effects a cultural awakening has on young minds! You never know — your son or daughter may realize a passion for a subject that will one day become their career. As you’re plotting destinations for the new year, keep these life-changing possibilities in mind. 1. History comes to life. Kids read about history in school and take state capital quizzes, but nothing compares to firsthand experiences of culturally significant locations. Imagine showing a child the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin’s famous theory of evolution was conceived, or having the chance to discuss the beginnings of the Revolutionary War while strolling through Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts.

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