Sabal General Dentistry Rockport September 2018

Sabal General Dentistry Rockport September 2018

September 2018

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

www.SabalDental.com

361-729-1333

|

Top of the Class The Elements of a Great Teacher

Like many of my patients, I have kids who just started a new school year. It’s always a stressful, exciting time. After a long, lazy summer, it’s nice to get back into a family routine. Plus, I always enjoy meeting my sons’ new teachers. On my path to dentistry, I had a lot of teachers, which allowed me to get to know some really amazing educators over the years. My favorite teacher was my high school science teacher, Ms. Wurtz. I went to a small school,

“When a teacher is having fun with the subject matter — when it’s not just a job for them — students connect with that.”

but I think Ms. Wurtz saw it as a way to help us work through whatever might have been going on in our lives at the time. If you have ever spent time journaling, you know how therapeutic it is. This really helped me a lot in my junior and senior years. All the students could see how much fun Ms. Wurtz had teaching science. That’s what really set her apart from other teachers I’ve had over the years. When a teacher is having fun with the subject matter — when it’s not just a job for them — students connect with that. Kids who might otherwise not like math or science or history may be more inclined to work hard in a class when the teacher gives them a reason to take interest in the material and shows a willingness to help them work through the challenges. A few years ago, I reached out to Ms. Wurtz on Facebook to thank her for everything she did for me in high school. She really meant a lot to me, and I’m grateful to all the teachers who helped me get to where I am today. This month, I want to shout out all the wonderful teachers out there. Thank you for all your hard work and good luck in the coming year!

so we had the same teacher for biology, chemistry, and physics. I took all three classes between my sophomore and senior years in high school, which means I had the pleasure of being in Ms. Wurtz’s class three times. I have always loved science. When I started college, before I decided to pursue dentistry, I was a psychology major! Ms. Wurtz really encouraged that interest when I was in high school. She was also really patient throughout the learning process. What made her such a great teacher was that she recognized that people have different ways of learning and she took the time to work with students to help them understand the material. At the same time, she challenged us to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. This really helped her students put scientific theory into practice. Ms. Wurtz didn’t restrict herself to being “just” a science teacher and found ways to help her students in other areas of their lives, even if we didn’t realize it at the time. At one point, she started to have us journal every day for a few minutes at the start of class. We didn’t have to write about science; in those minutes we were free to jot down any thoughts that came to mind. This sounds like something you would do in an English class,

–Dr. Valerie Sperry

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Need a Personal Assistant to Manage Your Kids’ Crazy Schedules?

School has started. Youth sports are in full swing.

provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom. The Right Tool for the Job Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.

Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment.

All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through

the insanity sometimes feels

more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. Tag Team

There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which

What Our Patients Are Saying............

“Dr. Sperry is very caring! She does amazing work as well. I went into her office to have a filling done. She worked hard to make sure the filling fit the natural shape of my tooth. Most fillings I have had done in the past at other clinics have been flat and uncomfortable.” –Alma T. “Dr. Sperry and the whole staff are so kind, so sweet, and make you feel so comfortable. I have always been very nervous when I visit the dentist. Visiting Sabal Dental puts me at ease. Thank you.” –Gracie C.

“The entire office operations have improved since the introduction of Valerie Sperry, DDS. My experience gets better each time I visit. Nelly is my favorite dental hygienist. She always puts me at ease. I feel I can trust them for future work.” –Rose R.

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TAKE STEPS NOW TO PROTECT YOUR TEETH

is a good way to strengthen your enamel, and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year at the dentist ensures that any

hard-to-reach plaque is removed. Eat a Tooth-Healthy Diet

Going to the dentist regularly is incredibly important in keeping your oral health in tip-top shape. But you shouldn’t rely solely on your dentist to keep decay-causing bacteria at bay. Take steps at home to keep your mouth clean and healthy. It’s easy! Brush and Floss Your Teeth Taking proper care of your teeth is important. Plaque buildup in your mouth creates an environment in which bacteria

The more sugar you eat, the more plaque you’ll have in your mouth. Sugar encourages bacteria to grow, causing more acid to be produced. To avoid this, it’s best to minimize the amount of sugary foods in your diet, including candy, soda, and other processed carbohydrates. After meals, drink water to help remove any leftover food debris and give your saliva a chance to break things down, limiting the amount of acid produced. Bacteria-Fighting Substances Some sugar alcohols, like xylitol, are highly effective at fighting oral bacteria. Chewing xylitol gum is a delicious way to hinder the bacteria’s production of acid. Essential oils like clove, myrrh, thyme, peppermint, rosemary, and oregano also remove bacteria and prevent inflammation. Add six drops of oil to one cup of water to pull toxins from your mouth and prevent gum disease. Protecting your teeth and gums at home is just as crucial as going to the dentist. Use these three tips to keep your mouth — and the rest of your body — healthy.

can thrive. Those bacteria produce acid that damages the enamel of your teeth and allows cavities to form. Brush three times per day (preferably right after meals) and floss at least once a

day to reduce the plaque buildup in

your mouth. Using fluoride toothpaste

Have a Laugh

Beans & Greens Rigatoni

This hearty pasta is perfect for the start of fall. With protein from cannellini beans and a heaping portion of kale, it’s the rare pasta you can enjoy without guilt.

Ingredients • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed • 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt, for pasta water and to taste • 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Directions 1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and oil to skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve.

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

Inside This Issue

Who Was Your Favorite Teacher? Page 1 3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life Page 2 Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 Fight the Bacteria in Your Mouth Page 3 Beans and Greens Rigatoni Page 3 Pigs to the Rescue Page 4

THAT’LL DO, PIG Oinkers That Saved Their Owners’ Bacon

More and more Americans are keeping pigs as pets than ever before. With their keen intelligence, laid-back amiability, goofy snorts, and, of course, their stubby little legs, it’s no surprise that people take to these plump, fuzzy animals. And here’s an extra bonus: Apparently, they also save lives! Take the aptly-named Lucky, for example. When Illinois resident Ina Farler woke up to the frantic porcine screams of her best friend, she knew something was up. “He would jump down, run to the door, and then jump back on the bed and hit me really hard,” she told Chicago 5 News. “When I sat up, I realized the room was really smoky.” Her house was ablaze, and her room was quickly turning into an oven. But thanks to Lucky, she was able to grab her two grandchildren, escape from the house, and call the fire department to stifle the blaze before it took down the entire property. Lucky isn’t the only hog to have saved the day. Jo Ann and Jack Altsman adopted Lulu the pot-bellied pig after baby-sitting her for their daughter. Lulu grew to be great

pals with Bear, the family’s American Eskimo dog. When Jo Ann suffered a heart attack

while her husband was away on a fishing trip and no one else was around, Bear and Lulu teamed up to rescue their beloved owner. Sensing something was up, Bear barked furiously to get the attention of Lulu, who was out in the yard. Though she’d never come into the house from the yard before, she crammed her bulk through the much-too-small doggie door. In the process, she scraped her belly badly, drawing blood, but she pressed on in order to check on Jo Ann. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, she slammed back through the doggie door and scrambled out into the road, where she lay down. Lulu eventually convinced one conscientious motorist to slow down and see what the commotion was about. He found Jo Ann unconscious in her home and quickly dialed 911. Though Lulu wasn’t allowed in the ambulance, her owner was rescued and recovered after an intense open-heart surgery. And, of course, Lulu got patched up too!

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