Sabal Dental Rockport - April 2021

Sabal Dental Rockport - April 2021

1406 Hwy 35 N, Suite C, Rockport, TX 78382 | www.SabalDental.com | 361-729-1333 | April 2021

Planting a Brighter Future The Opportunity of Arbor Day

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Is anyone else feeling springtime calling them outdoors? There are so many reasons to celebrate and get outside this month, including Arbor Day on April 30! The timing is apt for us; much of the tropical foliage that beautifies Rockport did not survive the freezing temperatures of the recent winter storm Texas had. As we know all too well, Texas does not often get freezing temperatures. While Texans are hearty and dealt with the dip in temperatures, many of our plants just aren’t suited for that kind of weather. It’s always sad to see such destruction, but it also creates an opportunity for us to rebuild and start new. My family and I were very fortunate not to experience many long-term effects of the storm, though the clinic was closed for a week because we were without power. Nevertheless, we’re thinking about starting anew with the landscaping in our yard. We moved in

the fall, and our new yard needs some work because plants had either died off or been pulled in recent years. That’s just fine with me because I love getting outside and digging in the dirt, and so do the boys! Right now I’m in the brainstorming phase. We’ve had a lot of unexpected visitors at the new house that take the idea of a plant-based diet to the next level. I’m talking about our four-hoofed friends: the deer, of course. Since we have so many in the area, I’ve been doing a lot of research on deer- resistant plants. At our old house, I planted a beautiful flower bed, but if I tried to recreate that here, the deer would munch on many of the flowers! Hibiscus is one of my favorite flowers to grow, but it’s also a favorite of the deer to eat, so until we can get a fence up in our backyard, I’ll have to find a substitute. Yardwork is a bit of a family affair for us. If the boys see me digging in the dirt or see my husband out working on the lawn, they always want to come out and help. They love running around in the yard, and we all enjoy being outdoors. I find it’s a great stress reliever as well. If I have a hard day or feel wound up, spending time in the yard with my family or taking our dog for a walk around the block really helps me decompress.

storm. I know not everyone was as lucky as me, and I hope the warmer spring weather is helping to lift everyone’s mood. It’s always devastating to lose things, but I try to remember that it also gives us a chance to start fresh. And if that restart includes time outdoors and planting foliage to beautify your yard for years to come, all the better! We’re all hoping this was a one-off and we don’t see a storm like that again anytime soon! I can’t wait to get working on my yard and to see spring bloom across Rockport. If you have any tips on deer- resistant plants, let me know the next time you’re in the office!

“I love getting outside and digging in the dirt, and so do the boys!”

Our hearts go out to anyone who is still dealing with the effects of that winter

–Dr. Valerie Sperry

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DITCH THE DANGER AND PLAN FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN 3 Safe April Fools’ Pranks Your Kids Will Love

Every year, a prankster makes headlines on April Fools’ Day for taking their joke too far. In 2001, a DJ in England famously broadcast that he’d spotted a replica of the Titanic floating off the coast. Hundreds of people scrambled to the spot, and their combined weight actually caused a cliff to collapse into the ocean! Luckily no one was hurt, but a Montana man who played a different joke years later wasn’t so lucky. He donned a Sasquatch outfit and leapt from the forest to scare travelers. Unfortunately, he traumatized two teens so much that they lost control of their car and ran him over.

10-year- old), make a batch of jello

and let it set in a juice glass. When they try to drink it later, enjoy the hilarity that ensues. 2. Rocks — It’s What’s for Dinner! If you want to confuse and horrify your kids, scatter chocolate rock candy (treats that look like real rocks) in the backyard before dinner. Then, when it’s time to eat, head outside and chow down on a handful of “rocks.” Your kids’ faces will be priceless! (Visit Nuts.com to score this candy for $8.99 per pound.)

3. Stinky Caramel ‘Apples’ Everyone loves caramel apples, but caramel-covered onions … not so much. This April Fools’ Day, swap the tasty fruit for its smelly vegetable counterpart and watch as everyone in the house falls for your trick! These are just a few pranks you can have up your sleeve for April Fools’ — or any day of the week. For even more hilarious ideas, check out the book “Pranklopedia: The Funniest, Grossest, Craziest, Not-Mean Pranks on the Planet!” from your local library.

If you’re a prankster, you can probably understand what drove the radio DJ and Sasquatch to their doom. It’s easy to go down the April Fools’ rabbit hole and plan a prank that’s too elaborate for adults, let alone your kids. But don’t worry — the internet is full of funny ways to introduce your little ones to the holiday safely. Instead of concocting a potentially harmful prank, try one of these harmless jokes instead, courtesy of Parenting magazine. 1. The Undrinkable Juice You know what looks a lot like grape juice? Grape jello! To baffle your toddler (or even your

What Our Patients Are Saying ...

“I have several visits to go until I finish what is to be done. So far, everyone has been prompt and courteous. Dr. Sperry is painless and informative. It’s all you’re looking for when going to a dentist. I’m happy I picked this one.” – Teresa S. “We love Sabal Dental; they make our children feel very comfortable. Our whole family goes there. We’ve only had positive experiences.” – Monica P. “Very friendly and warm environment. Great people and great experience. ” – Chris C.

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What Makes Them Worth the Hype? Veneers Are the Tooth Trend of the Year

the tooth to cover up imperfections and give it a beautiful, glowing look. There are several kinds of veneers on the market, including porcelain veneers (thin glassy shells custom-made for your teeth) and composite resin veneers (filling material bonded to the tooth). Porcelain veneers are more expensive and time-consuming

to get, but they last for 10–20 years with proper care, whereas most composite veneers need to be replaced after 5–7 years.

Some celebrities, like the singer-songwriter Jewel, are famous for their less-than-perfect teeth. But most stars have faultlessly white, straight smiles — and now, one of their favorite methods for getting those smiles is trending. The not-so-secret secret is simple: veneers. These wonders of cosmetic dentistry grace the mouths of hundreds of celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Zac Efron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and George Clooney. They’re the perfect fix for chipped, stained, or gap-ridden teeth. And right now, they’re having a moment. In January, a BuzzFeed article called veneers “an essential accessory for influencers” and claimed “having a perfect white smile and shiny teeth is like the equivalent of having the latest designer bags these days.”

ARE VENEERS REALLYTHE ROLLS ROYCES OF DENTISTRY?

Because they’re beloved by celebrities, veneers have a pricey reputation, and it’s true that they cost more than a simple whitening treatment. However, veneers are less expensive than braces. They’re also highly customizable, so you can make the cost fit your budget. You can choose whether you want veneers on only your upper front teeth, or if you’d rather make your whole mouth sparkle. Full-mouth veneers are the most expensive and can cost upward of $10,000. However, many dentists also offer payment plans for these treatments. If you want to look like a Hollywood celebrity, give yourself (or your kids) a boost on social media, or simply find your superstar confidence, veneers could be the perfect trend to jump on for 2021. To get inspired, visit Seventeen.com and search “veneers” to scope out some dramatic celebrity before and afters.

But what exactly are veneers, and can you afford to jump on the bandwagon?

YOURVENEER 411: PORCELAINVS. COMPOSITE RESIN Veneers are basically masks for your teeth: They adhere to the front of

Have a Laugh!

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Ingredients • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper

• 2 tbsp canola oil • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tbsp honey • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. 3. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the sauce by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne pepper. 4. Remove pan from oven and use a spatula to flip the chicken and potatoes, then add broccoli florets. 5. Drizzle sauce evenly over top and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes or until chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F and vegetables are fork-tender.

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

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Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Planting a Brighter Future Page 1 3 Safe April Fools’ Pranks Your Kids Will Love Page 2 Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 Why Veneers Are Trending This Year Page 3 Sheet Pan Chicken Dinners Page 3 How Lulu the Pig Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack Page 4 Inside This Issue

MAN’S SMARTEST FRIEND Lulu the Pot-Bellied Pig’s Cunning Plan to Save Her Owner

According to animal experts, pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal, including cats and dogs. That may seem hard to believe, as you probably associate pigs with a pink, smelly animal that oinks and rolls around in the muck. However, the story of how Lulu the pot-bellied pig saved her owner’s life might persuade you to reconsider. Back in 1998 (otherwise this story would have certainly gone viral), Lulu the pig was a permanent fixture at Jo Ann and Jack Altsman’s property in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. They had initially only taken Lulu from her original owner, the Altsmans’ daughter, for a temporary stay, but they ended up bonding with Lulu, and she was with them for much longer than expected. On Aug. 4, Jo Ann suffered from a heart attack. Jack was out of town on a fishing trip, and even though Jo Ann cried for help and even threw an alarm clock out the window, no one heard her cries from their somewhat secluded home. The family’s dog, Bear, barked and barked to no avail. Lulu, however, knew Jo Ann needed help quickly and waddled into action.

Lulu made her way to the nearest road, scraping her skin in the process and leaving it torn and bleeding. Once she reached the road, she laid down as if to play dead. Not long after that, a passing driver saw Lulu and stopped

to check on her. Once Lulu was sure she had the driver’s attention, she got up and waddled back toward her home, leading the driver to where Jo Ann lay on the floor.

When the driver found Jo Ann, he immediately called 911, and emergency services took her to a medical center for open-heart surgery. Had just 15 more minutes passed without help, Jo Ann would

have died.

For her heroism, Lulu received the Tiffany gold hero’s medal from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and made multiple television appearances as her fame spread. Hopefully, she was smart enough to know just how much she was appreciated.

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