Westchester August 2018

Westchester August 2018

2975 Westchester Avenue, Suite G02, Purchase, NY 10577

• www.oralsurgeryofwestchester.com

The Value of a Great Vacation GREETINGS FROM NAPA VALLEY

This summer, my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Napa Valley. The scenery was spectacular. It was a sight to see the endless vineyards with the tall mountains in the background. My wife and I are both so busy with work and our children, but we try to get away together at least once a year. We love our family more than anything, but once in a while we need to take some time for just the two of us to reconnect as a couple.

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Additionally, we both know how important it is to take a break and disconnect fromwork. I know I’m not the only person who feels refreshed coming off a vacation. There is plenty of research that shows feeling energized after taking time off isn’t just from getting a bit more sleep — it really is good for your health!

THERE IS PLENTY OF RESEARCH THAT SHOWS FEELING ENERGIZED AFTER TAKING TIME OFF ISN’T JUST FROM GETTING A BIT MORE SLEEP — IT REALLY IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!

Another benefit of vacations almost sounds like a paradox: By taking time off work, you become more productive. Ernst & Young, a professional services firm, found that for every additional 10 hours of vacation time their employees took, their year-end performance rates increased by 8 percent. Even mandatory vacations can have the same positive effect. A study from the Boston Consulting Group reported that high- level professionals who are required to take time off tend to be more productive than those who spent more consecutive time working. When you run your own business, it can be hard to take that necessary vacation time. Fortunately, I have a great business partner. Harrison and I have a mutual respect for each other’s time off. That is one of the many reasons our relationship works so well. It’s great to have a partner who recognizes your need to get away from the office and who you can count on to keep the ship sailing while you’re away. I could enjoy wine tasting in Napa Valley with my wife without worrying I would come back to find both our practices had burned down.

The most obvious benefit of vacationing is stress reduction. In 2015, the American Psychological Association determined that vacations reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments they associate with stress and anxiety. And this stress reduction lasts long after you clock back in after your vacation. A study from the University of Vienna found that even five weeks after their vacation had ended, people continued to report fewer stress-related complaints like headaches, backaches, and heart irregularities. Speaking of the heart, taking the occasional vacation has also been found to improve cardiovascular health. The Framingham Heart Study, the largest and longest-running study of cardiovascular disease, found that men who didn’t take a single vacation for many years were 30 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack. This study also noted that women who took a vacation at least twice a year were eight times less likely to develop coronary heart disease when compared to women who took vacations once every six years or less.

-Dr. Michael Graffeo

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IT’S IN THE WATER!

Grand Rapids Fights Cavities With Water Fluoridation

On January 25, 1945, municipal workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, began adding a fine white powder to the city’s water supply. The powder quickly dissolved and flowed out through the pipes across the city. Soon, every time a citizen of Grand Rapids filled a glass of water, they would also be getting a dose of sodium fluoride. Grand Rapids was the first community in the United States to add fluoride to their drinking water as part of an experiment to determine if water fluoridation could help fight cavities. The path to the great Grand Rapids experiment was a long one. It started in 1901, when a young dentist, Dr. Frederick McKay, opened his first practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. McKay was shocked to discover that many of his local patients had dark brown stains on

their otherwise healthy teeth. Noting that these stained teeth were also less prone to cavities, McKay set out to find the cause. His mission would take him over the Rocky Mountains to Oakley, Idaho, and then down south to Bauxite, Arkansas. Eventually, the cause of the stains was identified as naturally high levels of fluoride in the local drinking water. Shortly after McKay’s discovery, the National Institute of Health suggested low levels of fluoride may be able to improve cavity resistance without staining teeth. Around 15 years later, the people of Grand Rapids voted to add fluoride to their drinking water. For about a year leading up to the experiment in Grand Rapids, local school children had undergone preliminary examinations to record their oral health. Once the fluoride was added,

Public Health Service scientists were surprised by how quickly it made a difference. They saw a significant decrease in tooth decay among children in only a few years. The positive impact of fluoride in Grand Rapids was so great that citizens of Muskegon, Michigan, the control city located 40 miles away, demanded fluoride be added to their public water. The study, which was meant to last 15 years, was over in just six. Soon, cities across the country and around the world were fluoridating their water. In 1951, 5 million Americans got their drinking water from fluoridated supplies; as of 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 72 percent of Americans have access to fluoridated water. For over 70 years, countless Americans have enjoyed the benefits of fluoride in every refreshing glass of water.

patient, caring, and reassuring. My boys felt very comfortable, their procedures went very well, and they had a very smooth recovery. We had an amazing experience overall with Dr. Graffeo and his team, including Melissa, Shari, and Christina. OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST “Dr. Linsky and the nurses and staff are amazing! Seamless, comfortable, and very pleasant experience for my wisdom tooth extraction surgery.” –Gina V.

“Wonderful experience!

“My 15-year-old twin sons had their wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Graffeo four weeks ago. Our experience was one-of-a-kind. When I first called to make the appointments, Shari was very kind and patient. From our first visit to the follow-ups, the staff there were very friendly and knowledgeable, and Dr. Graffeo went above and beyond. He explained to us about the procedures, and he was very

“I highly recommend.

“Had a great experience here. Sherry is extremely helpful and attentive with all of your needs, and Dr. Graffeo was knowledgeable and did a fantastic job. Highly

“Thank you, Dr. Graffeo!” –Joselin A.

recommend!” –Lizzy H.

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A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests your aunt’s favorite drink might be able to prevent tooth decay and fight gum disease. Researchers in Madrid, Spain, looked into how polyphenols, a compound found in red wine, interact with pathogens often found inside the human mouth. During the study, researchers examined the effects of two polyphenols in red wine on the strains of bacteria that accumulate inside the mouth and lead to plaque, cavities, and gum disease. They then compared the results to the effect of polyphenols found in grape seeds and red wine extract supplements. The polyphenols and extracts all reduced the bacteria’s ability to stick to cells, but the wine polyphenols were most effective in inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. It’s worth noting that this study is limited, considering it was conducted outside of the human body with cells that simulated gum tissue. However, this preliminary research

is promising and may open the door to discovering new dental treatments.

This isn’t a free pass for patients to have a glass of wine with every meal, mind you. Red wine is still prone to staining teeth. Plus, as the British Dental Association’s scientific advisor, Professor Damien Walmsley, pointed out, “The acidic nature of wine means that consuming a lot of these drinks will damage the enamel of the teeth.” In regard to overall health, there is plenty more research that proves that drinking less alcohol of any kind decreases a person’s chances of suffering from a range of diseases and lowers their risk of mortality. Should patients bring up the pros of polyphenols in red wine, it’s worth pointing out that there are many other healthier foods full of polyphenols. If patients really want to add more polyphenols to their diet, try recommending blueberries, raspberries, black grapes, cherries, beans, or green tea.

Research Suggests RedWine Improves Oral Health A GLASS A DAY?

Green Bean and Sesame Salad

Have a Laugh

If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu.

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well.

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3 cups green beans, ends trimmed 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil

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2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsleywith olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Small bunch of fresh mint

Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

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Westchester Office • 914-251-0313

2975 Westchester Avenue Suite G02 Purchase, NY 10577

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INSIDE This Issue

PG 1

Two Tickets to Paradise

PG 2

The Great Grand Rapids Experiment

Our Patients Say It Best

PG 3

Can Red Wine Fight Gum Disease?

Green Bean and Sesame Salad

PG 4

Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

Book a Caribbean Cruise Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.

Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!

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