Sabal General Dentistry Harlingen January 2019

Sabal General Dentistry Harlingen January 2019

January 2019

321 S. 13th St., Ste. 101, Harlingen, TX 78550 | www.SabalDental.com | (956) 428-5300

A Work in Progress The Secret to a Successful 2019

I have a confession to make. In the past, I’ve failed my New Year’s resolutions. Okay, this probably isn’t much of a confession considering most resolutions made on New Year’s Day are forgotten by March. As I see it, the problem isn’t in the fact that we make resolutions, but in what those resolutions are. Many of the goals we set for ourselves are pretty unrealistic and often focus on losing a bunch of weight quickly or working out every single morning starting on Jan. 1. The problem is that these kinds of resolutions demand too much too fast,

“The best New Year’s resolutions are the ones that focus on positive things.”

the experience and support each other on the days when we wanted to call it quits. Plus, it’s easier to follow through when you have someone else relying on you.

setting us up for failure. Instead of focusing on a number and labeling our resolutions as successes or failures, it’s okay to change your habits little by little. Life is an ongoing process, and it’s okay to not be finished yet. The best New Year’s resolutions are the ones that focus on positive things. In recent years, my resolutions have been about picking up healthier habits. Some years are more successful than others, but in 2018, I made a resolution to start jogging. I’m proud to say I really stuck with it! My husband and I ran a few races together, including a Spartan obstacle race last March. I also completed a few 5Ks on my own. Going into 2019, my goal is to build on the progress I’ve made. I want to stick with jogging, run a few more 5Ks, and expand my habit in regards to physical fitness. My ultimate goal for 2019 is to do some sort of exercise or physical activity every day. Changing your habits is never easy. I struggled when I first started jogging last year, but I’ve discovered new secrets to help you stick with whatever goals you make. Something I’ve found to be really helpful is to tell other people about my goals. This helps you be more accountable. Or take it a step further and get other people involved. My husband and I started jogging together and it was fun. We got to bond over

The last tip I have for sticking to your health goals is to pick something fun. I really enjoy jogging. It’s not always easy, and sometimes my body wishes I would quit, but I like having that time to myself. It might only be 30 minutes, but it’s peaceful and I can listen to music or podcasts for a little while. If you want to get into shape, look for an activity you like. That might be Zumba, spin class, swimming, weight lifting, or martial arts. There are so many ways you can get healthy and still enjoy the activity, even when it’s challenging. If you hate what you’re doing, you’re not going to stick with it. New Year’s resolutions are a great opportunity to improve ourselves, but I believe our year shouldn’t be defined by one resolution. Every year brings new opportunities and that’s something to be excited about. Looking back on 2018, maybe you didn’t achieve that health goal, but you did take a trip with your family, pick up a new hobby, or start a job you really enjoy. Like I said, life is a work in progress, and there are countless ways we can make it better.

– Dr. Diana Cabrera

Here’s to a wonderful 2019!

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Mom Really Does Know Best 3 WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE

“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that

and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen

way forever.” You may have heard something like

the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. Joint Pain Predicts the Weather Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows

best. But as you grew up, it slowly

became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t

cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true.

Garlic Cures Colds For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds

Our Patients Say It Best ...............................

My experience with Sabal Dental has always been pleasant. I am always greeted with such kindness, and the staff and dentist are such professionals. I highly recommend Sabal Dental; they are thorough, and the wait time is minimal. –Daisy G.

I had a great experience. The ladies in the office make you feel very comfortable and welcomed. My doctor was awesome. She explained everything and made sure I did not have any pain. –Victoria G.

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DOUBLE TROUBLE Clean Your Smile and Enjoy Your Favorite Foods

veggies contain are great for your gums and bone health.

(Though teeth are not bones, they are very similar in composition.)

So, follow Peter Rabbit’s lead and get in a daily serving of teeth-brushing vegetables. Think About Your Gums Since the purpose of gum is to be mashed between our teeth for long periods of time, it’s

Who says multitasking is impossible? Well, brain science does. But dental science says you can enjoy a snack and get some dental cleaning done at the same time. Check out some of these treats that pull double duty as both yummy snacks and superfoods for your smile. Cheese, Please (And Other Dairy Too) In addition to providing your bones and teeth with calcium, cheese, yogurts, and other dairy products can be low in sugar. Dairy lowers the acidity level in your mouth and creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria looking to ruin your perfect smile. Plus, chewing cheese promotes saliva production, which is effectively nature’s toothbrush. As long as you don’t go overboard, dental experts say there’s nothing wrong with cutting the cheese. A Feast Fit for Rabbits Few people get excited about bland treats like celery or carrots, but your teeth just might. The physical action of eating carrots and celery stimulates your mouth to produce more saliva. Plus, the textures of these vegetables can help brush gunk off your gums and pearly whites, aiding your saliva in its mission. As a bonus, the vitamins these

natural to produce buckets of saliva while enjoying a piece. But dentists warn that in order to get the full benefits for your gums and teeth, you should be chewing sugar-free gum to avoid caking your mouth in enamel-gnawing sugars. Although the sugar content in most gum flavors isn’t high enough to completely outweigh the pros of the chewing motion and saliva production, it’s still wise to be mindful of the sugars your favorite gum contains. The best way to get the perfect smile is with regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing, but if you’re craving a treat, you can’t beat one that multitasks for you.

Have a Laugh

Citrus and Avocado Salads

Ingredients • 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch-thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F.

2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.

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Inside This Issue

What Your New Year’s Resolution? Page 1 3 Wives’ Tales That Are True Page 2 Our Patients Say It Best Page 2 Foods That Clean Your Teeth Page 3 Citrus and Avocado Salad Page 3 What Happens to Military Service Dogs? Page 4

Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home REUNITING BROTHERS IN ARMS

There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over.

Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In

2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at MissionK9rescue.org.

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