Signature Smiles - May 2021

Signature Smiles - May 2021

3,724 Lives Changed Through Sedation 1,395 5-Star Reviews, and Counting 152 Years of Combined Experience

The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry

A SODA STORY

DeAnn’s Journey From Daily Soda to Renewed Smiles!

MAY 2021

My previous experience with dentists was horrible. Long before I found Signature Smiles, I dealt with two different dentists and neither seemed to care. At my first dentist, I needed dental work, including a root canal. Unfortunately, over the span of time when they were working on my teeth, I lost health care coverage and had to take a break from receiving care. Thankfully, as I got a new job, my coverage returned and I was able to see the dentist again. Except the dentist decided they no longer wanted to continue the work. They didn’t even want to finish my root canal, which had been filled — but still needed to be completed. This was traumatic! To make things worse, the dentist ended up closing their doors. I had to find a new dentist! My second dentist wasn’t much better. They were not happy about finishing someone else’s work. They also told me they needed to remove my wisdom teeth before they could do anything else. I spent a lot of money trying to fix my teeth, and it was just one thing after another. When you have these kinds of unpleasant experiences, you dread going to the dentist. So, I stopped going. Eventually, I moved from Cleveland (where all this work had been done), and on my new route to and from work, I would always pass Signature Smiles. This was something I kept in the back of my head. One day, I had a toothache. I was pregnant at the time and knew I needed to get this taken care of. I went into Signature Smiles and the difference was instantaneous. The moment I arrived, everyone was helpful and pleasant. I had never experienced anything like this at the previous dentists’ offices. It didn’t hit me until I was in the chair speaking with Dr. Omar. I was embarrassed because I had gone so long without seeing a dentist. But I was also embarrassed to show my teeth and smile. I knew I needed help. Dr. Omar took a look at my tooth and gave me the news: He would have to pull it. I’d let it go for too long. However, he never said, “You should have gotten this done sooner” or “Why didn’t you make this a priority?” There was never really a moment where I felt judged. He also did something with me that my past dentists never did: He had a conversation with me and asked if I drank soda and what kind of foods I ate. I admitted that I drank a lot of Mountain Dew. It was my go-to drink. Whenever I needed caffeine, I always reached for my Mountain Dew.

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In Defense of Relaxation

WHY YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR VACATION DAYS

If you’re one of the 50% of Americans who would prefer a higher salary over paid vacation days, then the thought of relaxing by the pool probably makes your skin crawl. According to a 2019 Allianz Global Assistance survey, most Americans would only give up their vacation days for a 48% raise, but as Forbes reports, about 1 in 5 workers would only need a 24% raise to willingly fork over their vacation days. The rise of what experts are calling “performative workaholism” is evident in the hustle-and-grind culture of working long hours, skipping lunches, working throughout the weekend, and taking very few breaks. But medical and psychological experts caution that addiction to the hustle comes at a price. Recent evidence suggests that working long hours over extended periods of time actually makes you a worse employee. As exhaustion creeps in, your ability to complete even the most mundane or simple task decreases. In those moments, it’s important to take a short break, but it’s also vital to recognize when your body needs an extended refresher. This could make you better at your job. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Norway have some of the world’s most productive workers. Coincidentally, they also provide many vacation days.

So, what’s great about taking a vacation? Experts at a Midwestern hospital system, Allina Health, report that stepping away from work for a short period of time can decrease your risk of heart disease, improve your quality of sleep, create a better mood, and boost your relationships. Researchers in the Netherlands even found that simply planning for and anticipating a vacation can improve your happiness level! If you can’t stand the thought of taking time off, you’re not alone. More than 40% of respondents in a 2016 survey said they felt they couldn’t take a vacation because there wasn’t anyone to cover them. Communicate your concerns with your employer to find a compromise. Start slow, too. Schedule a long weekend and pack your days with activities, like getting a massage, hiking, or traveling to a local destination. Look to travel sites like Expedia, Airbnb, and Travelocity for local deals and tips on the best vacation methods. Soon, you’ll be the biggest advocate for taking time off.

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 including 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 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 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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Dr. Omar took the time to educate me about the acidity in soda and what it does to your teeth. It’s something you hear about but you don’t always think about. It’s easy to reach for a soda, and that’s what I did. Dr. Omar said I was getting too much sugar and not enough water. After talking with Dr. Omar, I started doing more research on my own. I saw the effects soda had on teeth and it was not pretty. It took some time, but in August of last year, I dropped soda. I didn’t realize just how bad it was, and the more I learned, the easier it was to stop. None of my past dentists had ever talked to me about the risks of drinking soda. They never bothered to educate me. They never even bothered to have a real conversation with me. Coming to Signature Smiles was like stepping into a different world — and it’s amazing! Several months later, not only are my teeth much healthier, I’m smiling more. I even lost nearly 30 pounds, and I have so much more self- confidence. My fiancé and our kids also come to Signature Smiles because of my great experience. I’m a completely different person — a better person! –DeAnn

DeAnn and her family

Easy & Healthy Green Rice

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice

DIRECTIONS 1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

We guarantee an anxiety‑free experience—always!

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

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

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

SignatureSmilesOH.com

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: 800-723-2012

A Little Patient Education Goes a Long Way!

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The Benefit of Using Your Vacation Days

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Don’t Let Soda Destroy Your Teeth!

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Green Rice Recipe

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5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness

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May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party . Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors . Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

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