Sabal Rockdale - December 2020

Sabal Rockdale - December 2020

December 2020

307 Childress Drive Rockdale, TX 76567 |

SabalDentalRockdale.com | (512) 446-5886

Christmas Memories

Dr. Blankenship’s Family Prepares for Another Busy Holiday!

As a kid, there was nothing more magical than Christmas, especially as part of a big family! When I was really little, we would spend Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family and Christmas Day with my dad’s side. As I got older, those celebrations morphed into two gatherings on Christmas Day, which meant two big meals, tons of gifts, and a lot of catching up! Today, my celebrations look a little different. My oldest son splits time between New Orleans with his mom and Texas with me, so we get to celebrate together every other year. It’s nice anytime he visits, but it feels extra special when he can join us for the holidays. We always find time to get together with my parents and siblings around Christmas, too. Then, on Christmas Eve, our entire family packs up the car and heads nearly two hours down the road to the tiny little town of Comfort, Texas, where we spend a few days at a bed and breakfast with my wife’s mom’s side of the family. It’s the perfect place to relax and spend a quaint, quiet holiday with my wife’s whole family. It’s become one of our favorite traditions each year. Finally, the day after Christmas sees just as much celebrating. My wife, Kayla, was born on Dec. 26, so I always try to make it special by reserving a large table at a local restaurant and inviting her family members to join us after the B&B. Just like when she was a kid, we keep Kayla’s Christmas gifts separate from her birthday gifts, but she loves to get in the spirit! She always enjoys decorating our house, and we’ve had our lights up since November. She even watches those cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies! All of that Christmas spirit seems to have rubbed off on our kids, too. They love to watch the Hallmark movies with their mom, and they get just as excited

about the tree as Kayla does! As a parent, there’s nothing quite as special as seeing Christmas through your child’s eyes. It’s almost like reliving the magic of the holidays again. It brings those memories flooding right back, and I love to watch them get excited about Comfort, Texas, or seeing their cousins on Christmas. This year, my eldest son will still join us, and while we have to be a bit more cautious with how we celebrate, we have been given the go-ahead to meet with my wife’s family at the B&B. Since we aren’t a group of random strangers and we’ve all been doing our part to stay safe, the staff at the B&B feels comfortable with whatever precautions we choose to take. I’m glad to know we can end this year on a high note and keep our traditions alive. We may not get to do everything we’ve done in years past, but we’ll still gather with our family, eat a big meal, open tons of presents, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I hope you and yours have a very safe and happy holiday season!

–Dr. Beau Blankenship

Sabal General Dentistry • (512) 446-5886 • 1

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Thumbsucking and Your Child’s Oral Health

thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth.”

When a child is upset, a common reflex is to start sucking their thumb or reach for a pacifier. While this may bring them (and you!) short-term comfort, thumbsucking can also damage their teeth. Understand the impact of sucking on a pacifier or thumb. As infants, thumbsucking isn’t necessarily a problem. However, if a child develops a habit of sucking their thumb or a pacifier when their permanent teeth begin to come in, it can quickly cause issues. Constant sucking on a thumb or pacifier impacts the proper alignment of permanent teeth in the mouth. Additionally, it can impact how the mouth grows and even how the roof of the mouth forms. Other effects include the following:

Put a stop to thumbsucking. Typically, a child stops sucking their thumb or pacifier when their primary teeth come in, usually around 2–4 years of age. If, however, they are an aggressive thumbsucker, it might be harder for them to break the habit. A few methods can help wean your child from their thumbsucking.

• Praise and reward your child for not sucking their thumb.

• Eliminate any triggers that lead your child to comfort themselves through thumbsucking.

• Poor speech development

• Use mittens to prevent a child from sucking their thumb or fingers in their sleep.

• Modified swallowing action of the tongue

• Altered breathing

• If the child is older, work together to find a method for stopping the habit.

• Calluses on the fingers or thumb

• Encourage your dentist to educate your child about the importance of stopping thumbsucking.

These problems can vary depending on how intense the habit is. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive

Taking an active role to help your child drop these potentially harmful habits allows them to develop healthy oral care that will last a lifetime.

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST “Great office! Dr. Beau Blankenship, Stephanie, and Allison took care of me today. Office has a great feel of confidence and truly cares about my “Always love seeing my hygienist. She is THE best — a true professional, efficient, and all with such a friendly, caring demeanor!” – Ginger G.

dental health.” – James L.

“I have such anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist and they are so patient and understanding with me and work with my budget as well! The staff is just awesome!!” – Jennifer A.

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307 Childress Drive, Rockdale, TX 76567

SabalDentalRockdale.com | (512) 446-5886

Don’t wait until the new year! Your dental benefits expire at the end of the year! Now is the time to schedule an appointment, because once your benefits are gone, they’re gone for good. Remember all the money you paid to your insurance premiums this year? Failing to use your dental benefits means all that money goes to waste. You paid for it, now use it! Call us to schedule your appointment today! This time of year, appointments fill up fast. Reserve your spot before it’s too late. The longer you wait, the more you’ll risk having to spend time away from the things you love most this holiday season. You can even call us after hours. Leave a message, and we’ll take care of you. Take advantage of your dental benefits today. If you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em!

Don’t forget your benefits expire on Dec. 31. It will be here before you know it!

Call our office as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your ideal appointment time and run the risk of wasting all your hard-earned dental benefits.

307 Childress Drive, Rockdale, TX 76567 SabalDentalRockdale.com | (512) 446-5886

succumbs to nail-biting, nearly half of whom are teenagers. Biting your nails can chip or crack your teeth, and the nail pieces can get stuck in your gum line and potentially cause infection. The Solution: The good news is that most people quit biting their nails after age 30, but don’t rely on your age to kick this habit. Try applying bitter-tasting polish or chewing sugar-free gum to deter you from nail-biting. Or if your nail-biting is stress-induced, try meditating to reduce your stress. Chewing on Ice: It’s a mindless habit, really. At the end of our glass of water — or tooth-decaying sugary soda — we chomp on the ice at the bottom of the glass. But the combination of the hard ice and cold temperature can create small cracks along your tooth’s enamel, which increases the likelihood that your tooth will crack or chip. The Solution: If you’re chewing as a way to occupy your mind, swap the ice with sugar-free gum! If you really want that ice-cold kick, drink cold water through a straw or suck on an ice cube instead. Struggling with one of these habits? Let our team know at your next appointment! We can help you find solutions and develop good oral habits.

3 Oral Health Habits That Harm Your Teeth And How to Kick Them

We all have quirky habits. Most are benign, but some can be harmful. If you chronically bite your nails, chew ice, or use your teeth as a tool — three common bad oral habits — try these solutions to protect your teeth from potential damage and pain. Teeth as Tools: Our pearly whites are perfect for grinding our food and helping us speak, but that’s about as far as their usability as tools goes. Opening ketchup packages with your teeth or placing a few screws in your mouth as you hang a photo can be handy, but doing so could crack or damage your teeth. The Solution: Use actual tools! Open your condiment packets and other tricky containers with scissors. When doing home projects, use a tool belt or ask someone to hold your screws so you don’t choke or damage your teeth. Biting Your Nails: If this nervous habit is one of your vices, you’re not alone. About 20%–30% of the population

Have a Laugh

Festive Apple Cider

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

Ingredients • 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

Directions 1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

Sabal General Dentistry • (512) 446-5886 • 3

Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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307 Childress Drive Rockdale, TX 76567

SabalDentalRockdale.com (512) 446-5886

Inside This Issue

Dr. Blankenship’s Favorite Christmas Memories Page 1 Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb Page 2 Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 3 Bad Oral Health Habits to Stop Immediately Page 3 Festive Apple Cider Page 3 Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog Page 4

MEET KISMET, A DENTIST’S TOOTHLESS THERAPY DOG

as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals. Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure. Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.”

Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety. “The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told

TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garrett’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well

Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!

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