Signature Smiles - August 2022

Signature Smiles - August 2022

4,617 Lives Changed Through Sedation 1,688 5-Star Reviews, and Counting 86 Years of Combined Experience

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

AUGUST 2022

The Signature Smiles Team has been changing lives for 7 years! Here are some photos from our 7th year.

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Lulu the Pig Is a Hero! She Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack

Lulu captured the hearts of the Altsmans when their daughter asked them to pet- sit her overweight pot-bellied pig. The pair quickly fell in love with Lulu, and their bond got stronger each day. This relationship was literally life-saving when the wife suffered a heart attack one August afternoon. Jo Ann Altsman was home alone with Lulu and their dog, Bear, when the incident occurred. Her husband was off on a fishing trip, and the pair didn’t have any neighbors nearby. Bear began to bark to try and get someone’s attention, but Lulu knew she had to do something before it was too late. So, she made her way out of the doggie door, which badly scraped her belly as she exited. Lulu had never left the yard, but today was different. To get some attention, she decided to lie down in the middle of the road and play dead until a car stopped to

check on her. After several minutes of lying on the street, several cars passed by but didn’t stop. So, she checked on her owner, then squeezed through the doggie door and lay down on the road again. After 45 minutes, a gentleman on a motorcycle pulled over to check on Lulu. She immediately perked up and began walking toward the house, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she walked. The man followed Lulu and found Altsman unconscious on the ground. He quickly dialed 911 and asked for assistance. When the medics put her owner in the ambulance, Lulu attempted to get in with them. Of course, she couldn’t come, so she began to squeal as she watched the medics take her mom away. Thankfully, Lulu’s wounds were attended to, and Altsman received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Beaver Medical Center.

Because of her loyalty and creative thinking, this pot-bellied pig became a celebrity overnight! She was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Everyone fell in love with Lulu and her heroism.

Thank you, Lulu, for being a loyal and brave pet!

SODA: THAT’S WHAT KEEPS US IN BUSINESS

Most people know soda is not good for them, but many people don’t realize just how bad it is! In fact, there is a major link between soda consumption and tooth decay as well as other health complications such as diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Over the past 30 years, soda and juice intake has increased dramatically. It’s become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens, and young adults. This steady consumption of soft drinks is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. When you drink soda, the sugars interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid attacks your teeth. But those who drink sugar-free sodas aren’t in the clear either. Both regular and sugar-free sodas also contain their own acids that will attack the teeth. With each swig of soda, you start a damaging reaction that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip all day, your teeth are under constant attack.

protective layer on your teeth. This damage can invite cavities, which develop over time in people who drink soft drinks regularly. Add in poor oral hygiene, and a lot of damage can occur to the teeth. On top of tooth decay, drinking sugary soda also causes your blood sugar to spike. It sends your pancreas into overdrive producing insulin to metabolize all that sugar. A study in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation found that consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, like soda, was linked to the onset of Type 2 diabetes — and this correlation was independent of obesity’s impact on developing Type 2 diabetes. The ultimate solution is to remove soda (and other sugary drinks) from your diet. But let’s take it one step at a time. Here are some tips to help you to reduce and kick the habit. Do: • Drink soda in moderation (not daily). • Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.

• Swish your mouth out with water after drinking to dilute the acid and sugar. • Drink plenty of water (eight glasses a day). Don’t: • Sip for extended periods of time. • Drink soda shortly before bedtime. • Brush after meals (wait at least an hour after your last drink or meal before brushing). • Substitute soft drinks, sports drinks, or fruit juice for a meal.

Other tips for maintaining a healthy smile:

• Chew sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol. • Visit your dentist regularly. • Brush and floss daily. • Drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste. • Read the labels for sugar content.

If you have dry mouth, discuss it with your dentist or hygienist. –Therese Bleiweiss, RDH

Erosion begins when the acids in soft drinks encounter tooth enamel, the outermost

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Signature Smiles Trains Other Dentists to Place Dental Implants! The Misch Resnik Implant Institute utilized our facility to host another Training Day for dentists across the country. Over the course of two days, more than 30 dentists attended! We performed 35 major surgeries, and the dentists we hosted left happy and confident in their new skill set!

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken Inspired by Delish.com

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

INGREDIENTS • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779

Also Serving Elyria and Brunswick! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Brunswick, OH 44212 330-460-6540

Inside

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Signature Smiles Is Turning 7!

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Pigs Are Brave and Loyal Pets, Too!

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This Is What Keeps Us in Business

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Another Implant Training Day in the Books!

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Our Patients Say It Best

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Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

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How Established Rules Set Teens Up for Success

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As children grow older, some tend to engage in more risky behaviors. They like to test their parents’ patience and limits to see what they can actually get away with. But when you establish boundaries with your older children, it can set them up for success and teach them a thing or two about responsibility. CREATING BOUNDARIES THAT REFLECT YOUR VALUES You cannot simply say the rules — your actions must reinforce them if you want them to be followed. They must also reflect the positive values that mean the most to you, as they will influence how your children see you. The clearer your values are, the easier it is to express and communicate them to your older kids, and the more likely they are to follow along with the boundaries that respect those values.

BE SUPPORTIVE, NOT ENABLING Supporting someone is helping them do something they might not be able to do themselves in the right conditions, whereas enabling is stepping in and mitigating consequences that would otherwise be a result of a negative choice. Enabling is an undesirable behavior that can occur when parents give in to complaints or demands to avoid conflict. Instead of avoiding possible conflict, it’s best to support your older children while they navigate through your rules. Allow them to have questions or make mistakes. That way you can provide a framework where they have the ability to act and make decisions on their own. Setting rules or boundaries for your older kids is an essential tool that aids in their development. Over time, the process will help lay the foundations for them to become self-regulating adults.

Here is a list of core family values to consider:

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Positive relationships — whether that be with family members, friends, coworkers, or even strangers Priorities — define what matters to your family first Honesty — creating a judgment-free space to be open and speak freely Responsibility — taking accountability for one’s mistakes

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Respect — learning how to communicate boundaries effectively

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