Signature Smiles Dental - September 2020

Signature Smiles Dental - September 2020

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1,250 5-Star Reviews, and Counting 152 Years of Combined Experience

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

A SUMMER OF WEDDINGS

Keylon’s Wedding Story

SEPTEMBER 2020

This summer, two members of our staff got married — both in July! Getting married during COVID-19 wasn’t easy, but as staff members Keylon and Cierra can attest, it was worth it. This month, join us as we highlight Keylon’s story!

We also went on a special honeymoon, taking a 17-day cross-country road trip! We drove from Youngstown, Ohio, to Crescent City, California, which was about a 4,000 mile journey one way. We rented a vehicle, and I drove for 15 hours straight our first day from Ohio to South Dakota — about halfway. Over four days of the trip, we even did some camping! This was a big part of our honeymoon because neither Lauren nor I had ever camped before, and we thought it would be fun — plus it’s a great way to distance yourself from others. We spent one night in the mountains of Montana, not far from Yellowstone (we tried to camp in Yellowstone, but you need reservations far in advance). Lauren and I were thrilled to be out of Ohio and exploring the country. We saw the ocean along the Oregon and California coasts, the redwood forest in Northern California, and Lake Tahoe, which is right on the border of California and Nevada. In the end, everything worked out for the better. As hard as it was to change our wedding plans, we’re glad we did. Right now, we’re looking to the future. We know that at some point, the COVID-19 pandemic will be over and science will prevail. We’re hoping that next year — on our one-year anniversary — we’ll be able to redo the whole thing with the original guest list. Lauren and I will renew our vows in front of everyone. The bride might even get a new dress for the occasion! In the end, I think we’ll get the American wedding we’ve been dreaming of.

Keylon and Lauren — July 10, 2020

COVID-19 put a huge damper on our wedding plans. We originally wanted between 200 and 250 people to show up for our traditional American wedding, but we knew we had to adapt and make the best out of a tough situation. The virus made us cautious. We thought about what we should and shouldn’t do. And one of the first things we did was cut down the number of wedding guests. Instead of 200, we invited just 20 people from our immediate family — our mothers and fathers and the people closest to us (like my favorite aunt!). Those who couldn’t attend could watch the ceremony online because we took the event virtual and broadcast it. That way, all of our family and friends could still be a part of our special day. We also learned that we wouldn’t be able to have any dancing or a live band, so we kept it simple. One of our friends from kickball played the violin, and another couple sang and played guitar, which made for an intimate affair. Even though it was tough in the sense that we couldn’t have a traditional wedding or be surrounded by everyone we wanted to invite, the day was still very memorable. As bride and groom, Lauren and I were able to connect and spend a lot of time together and with the people we care about most. We stayed positive throughout the whole event. We knew we didn’t want the pandemic to stop us from celebrating our love for one another, but we also knew we couldn’t risk the health of 200 people. We made many compromises, and we think it turned out for the better.

–Keylon

Stay tuned for next month when we highlight Cierra’s wedding!

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Is Stress Harming Your Memory?

HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS

Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing.

Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health. Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.

Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors.

A Dental Myth Busted Are Oral Problems Hereditary?

MYTH: Both of my parents lost their teeth, so my dental problems must be hereditary or genetic.

but fast food was becoming more popular, and smoking cigarettes was considered cool. All of these things can lead to major dental issues.

FACT: A lot has changed in the world of dentistry. General knowledge about what contributes to tooth decay and how to prevent it has increased in recent decades, and patients have a lot more control over their oral health than they may realize. Good dental care habits can go a long way toward keeping your teeth healthy. Today, many patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who come in for dental work blame their issues on genetics because their parents had lost teeth and gotten dentures or dental implants. But if we go back in time to when Mom and Dad were growing up, we will find the real culprit for these dental issues. About 50 years ago, sugar was becoming more common in the American diet. Not only that,

Back then, dental hygiene was not a high priority, and dentists didn’t have the tools and techniques they have today, so dental problems resulting from consuming too much sugar or fast food or smoking weren’t being properly addressed. Many people lost their natural teeth by the time they were 40 because of bad dental habits, not because of genetics. It’s true that genetics play a role in the development of your teeth, but it’s very rare that a patient will lose teeth due to a hereditary issue. Your lifestyle and dental care habits — along with taking responsibility — are the main determining factors of good dental health. Today, we have a much better understanding of how bad sugar is for our teeth. When we change our mindset and realize how much control we have over our dental health, we can make better choices. That includes eating healthier snacks and remembering to brush and floss twice a day or after every meal. We are 100% in control.

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THE FACTS ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS Is There a Clear Choice That Fits All?

When Henry Ford developed the Model T, he created a one-size-fits-all car. It was a huge success for American industry, and people loved it. Having only one model made it easy to manufacture and easy to market. To keep things simple, Ford famously only offered the Model T in one color: black. Essentially, everyone got the same car. But it wasn’t long before Americans decided they wanted something different. The Model T was a good car, but people wanted something that wasn’t cookie-cutter and that met their specific needs. City dwellers and rural farmers, for instance, used their vehicles for very different reasons to meet their needs. So, it was no surprise that Ford’s competitors started to dominate the market by offering vehicles with different colors and options. People loved the choice. The same story can be applied to dental implants. Though they were created to make our lives easier and meet our needs, dental implants weren’t

initially meeting everyone’s needs. Because, of course, we’re all different!

If we have a 75-year-old female patient who needs

dental implants in order to help her chew but she is petite and her jaw is small, we can build implants that meet her needs. She may only need four implants. By contrast, a muscular patient who is 45 years old and has a wide jaw is going to need something completely different. We expect he needs another 40 years of good function, and we need to fit his jaw. In this case, he may need six to eight implants. Plus, we need to overengineer his implants in order to adapt to his long- term requirements. The bottom line is that we can’t take a cookie-cutter approach to dental implants. Every patient is different, so we must understand their needs and customize their plan to fit those needs. It can’t be done any other way! Want to learn more about dental implants? We have a free recorded message that goes through the nine questions you need to know before committing to dental implants. Simply call to 833-332-7373, ext. 2 , to listen to this 24-hour free recorded message!

Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber- rich bean salsa. Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

INGREDIENTS • 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS 1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

We guarantee an anxiety‑free experience—always!

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Inside

Free 24-hour recorded message reveals the “9 Questions You Need Answered Before Committing to Dental implants.” Call Now: 833-332-7373 Ext. 2.

1

Dreaming of an American Wedding in the Midst of a Pandemic

2

Is Stress Making You Forgetful?

2

Can You Inherit Oral Problems From Your Parents?

3

The Facts About Dental Implants

3

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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The Truth Behind the 21st Night of September

“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

the song: the nonsensical phrase “ba-dee-ya,” which White included in the chorus. Throughout the songwriting process, Willis begged to change the phrase to real words. At the final vocal session, Willis finally demanded to know what ba- dee-ya meant. White replied, “Who cares?”

In 1978, Maurice White of the band Earth, Wind & Fire first asked this question in the song “September,” a funky disco song that quickly topped the charts. While disco may be dead today, “September” certainly isn’t.

The song is still featured in movies, TV shows, and wedding playlists. On Sept. 21, 2019, the funk hit was streamed over 2.5 million times. It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 Earth, Wind & Fire Day. The story behind “September” is almost as enduring as the song itself. It was co-written by White and Allee Willis, who eventually became a Grammy-winning songwriter and Tony nominee. But before any of that, Willis was a struggling songwriter in Los Angeles living off food stamps. When White reached out and asked Willis to help write the next Earth, Wind & Fire hit, it was truly her big break.

“I learned my greatest lesson

ever in songwriting from him,” Willis recalled in a 2014 interview with NPR, “which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” The groove is why “September” has stood the test of time, right from that very first lyric. For decades, people have asked Willis and members of the band about the significance of Sept. 21. As it turns out, there isn’t much beyond the sound. “We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth …’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st,” Willis explained.

White and Willis proved to be excellent songwriting partners, but they clashed over one key element of

The truth is that nothing happened on the 21st night of September — except a whole lot of dancing.

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