Signature Smiles - June 2022

Signature Smiles - June 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

3D PRINTING AND DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS COMING TO SIGNATURE SMILES No More Messy Impressions!

JUNE 2022

Signature Smiles is all about creating an anxiety-free and comfortable environment. This means providing our team with the right equipment and tools so our patients can have the best experience possible. I am very excited to introduce one of our new technologies, an advanced 3D printing machine! Thanks to modern dental technology and 3D printing, many dental procedures are now automated and will not require the team to do everything themselves or by hand. We are moving to the next level of operation where we can accurately and efficiently 3D print all of our materials right here in the office to help our patients get their final work done in a faster and more efficient way. With our new 3D printing machine, we can make a digital impression of your teeth! The digital impression will be fed into the software, which allows our team to design your prosthesis while visualizing three-dimensional images of your teeth. 3D printing technology works with digital scanners that record the slightest details of your teeth and gums. These digital impressions are much more convenient and comfortable versus the conventional physical impressions where it can get a little messy. The precision and accuracy of prostheses made by the 3D printer minimizes the inherent defects that laboratory-based ones may have.

You can actually see how your teeth will look after restoration or prosthesis is placed, even before we hit the start button. Not only will you be able to give your input, but there won’t be any surprises! You will be getting exactly what you saw on the screen of the 3D printer. The latest technology will not only revolutionize the industry, but it will also make dental treatments more convenient and painless for patients. Though we are still in the early stages of implementing our advanced 3D printing machine, we are looking forward to adapting this machine to go with our flow of easy, simple, and anxiety-free experiences. Here at Signature Smiles two of our major core values that we live by is to always make your future greater than your past, and to always make your confidence greater than your comfort. We are always looking to improve and push ourselves to find new ways to provide our patients with better services and care.

–Dr. Omar Salameh

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Improve the Health of Your Lawn IN 3 EASY STEPS

Summer has finally arrived, which means the birds are singing, the skies are blue, and the grass is … hopefully green? Maintaining a green lawn is an incredibly difficult task, especially if you don’t get much rain. Your lawn may also have sunspots or issues due to pet waste, but don’t lose hope. You can do a few simple things to turn your brown grass to green, and it shouldn’t take the entire summer to see results. If you’re unsure where to begin, try some of these tips to bring new life to your lawn. MAKE SURE YOU MOW PROPERLY. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they mow their own lawn is cutting their grass too short. If your blades aren’t

set to the proper height, you can easily cut too much of your grass, leaving it stressed. As it struggles to recover, your lawn will turn brown, and then weeds will grow more easily. Ideally, you should mow your lawn once a week and sharpen your blades regularly before they get dull. WATER IN THE MORNING. There’s proven science behind the best time to water your lawn. If you water at night, you’ll see excess humidity, which can lead to turf disease and the destruction of your lawn. If you water in the middle of the day, water will evaporate quickly leaving your lawn dried out. Instead, try watering in the morning so

your lawn has the opportunity to absorb the water. Watering for 45–60 minutes twice a week will allow ample time for the water to soak into your lawn. If you live in a drought-affected area, be sure to follow local guidelines for water use. FERTILIZE FOR HEALTH. Sometimes our lawns need an extra boost to become as green as possible. That’s where fertilizer comes in. Fertilizer contains various mixes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium — three important nutrients for a healthy lawn. You can find many different fertilizer options, so conduct a soil test to understand which mix is best for your lawn.

MANAGING DRY MOUTH Keep Your Mouth Healthy and Fresh

Everyone has a dry mouth from time to time, but frequent dryness isn’t considered normal. A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth aren’t producing enough saliva. It isn’t a serious medical condition on its own, but it can be uncomfortable and eventually lead to health problems, such as tooth decay or infections, if not treated properly. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy. If you are not producing enough saliva, you may notice these symptoms:

to salivary gland nerves from trauma or injury, or taking any of the 400 medicines that cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva.

TREATING DRY MOUTH If you’ve noticed persistent dry mouth signs and symptoms, there are treatments to reduce the risks of long-term consequences, such as: • Changing medication/dosage if another option is available • Increasing water intake and taking Xylitol lozenges • Using prescription strength toothpaste such as Fluoridex • Using over-the-counter Biotene gel or spray • Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and mouthwash that has alcohol • Using a humidifier at night • Avoiding caffeine

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A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

• Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking • A burning sensation in the mouth • Cracked or dry lips and/or dry rough tongue • Mouth sores or infections • New areas of decay that happened rapidly • Sensitivity to spicy and acidic foods

Dry mouth usually goes away on its own, but we all need good saliva production to moisten and cleanse our mouths against bacteria. Depending on the cause, speak with your doctor or dentist or call our office to book your next appointment for more details. –Therese Bleiweiss, RDH

CAUSES OF DRY MOUTH There are a number of causes for dry mouth, including side effects of certain diseases and infections, radiation and chemotherapy, damage

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Looking Forward to the Future A Time to Celebrate

she was completely unaware! Shamonique was very surprised when they asked her and her sister to speak at the commencement ceremony, but she gladly accepted. Surprisingly, though, there weren’t many graduates attending the ceremony. There were many names on the graduating list, but Shamonique said there were maybe 30–35 people in attendance out of all the graduating classes. Her sister, who graduated from the medical assisting program, mentioned that a lot of people felt like they were already done with that chapter of their lives. They already received their diplomas and certificates, so there really was no reason to come back again. But out of everything we have been through and faced in the world, Shamonique said it’s always a good thing to celebrate. The big

victories, the small victories, and everything in between are still worth celebrating, which really spoke volumes. Out of everyone in the graduating classes, Shamonique was the one they picked, and they made the best decision in doing so. It was a great experience for her to go back and finish what she started, and to be considered and recognized by the school is phenomenal. After the commencement ceremony, she went back to her kids and gave them a piece of advice we’re sure will stick with them forever. “You may stop, but you don’t have to stay where you are. You can always go back and finish something, and hopefully, Mommy has shown you that this is possible.”

Shamonique, our Streetsboro dental assistant, graduated from Ross Medical School in April 2021. Due to COVID-19, the ceremony was held on April 29, 2022, for everyone who graduated in the pandemic during the years 2019–2021. There, she gave an amazing speech for their commencement ceremony. Their reasoning behind choosing Shamonique was an interesting one. She often goes up to Ross Medical to speak with students, and they just so happened to ask if she had received their email. Unfortunately, they had sent it to her old school email address, so

BROCCOLI AND GRAPE SALAD Inspired by EatingWell.com

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

A healthier version of broccoli salad? Yes, please!

INGREDIENTS • 3 1/2 cups small broccoli florets • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt • 3 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved • 1/4 cup sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add broccoli and onion, cooking until the broccoli is tender. 2. Once broccoli is cooked, drain water and add the vegetables to a bowl filled with ice water. After 2 minutes, drain water and pat vegetables dry. 3. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. 4. Fold in the broccoli mixture, grapes, and almonds. Serve immediately.

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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

Brunswick, OH 44212 330-460-6540

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

Inside

SignatureSmilesOH.com

Signature Smiles Gets More Technology

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3 Ways to Make Your Lawn Healthier

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How to Avoid Dry Mouth

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Celebrating Shamonique’s Commencement!

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Broccoli and Grape Salad

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Father’s Day Gift Guide

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It’s Dad’s Day! 6 GIFTS DAD IS SURE TO LOVE

Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges! WALLET Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! MASSAGE GUN Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just a tough workout, a massage gun will do the

trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon!

APPLE WATCH STRAP Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants. A NEW COOLER Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! TOOL BUCKET ORGANIZER Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his

tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy! BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES OR SPEAKERS If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.

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