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InsideMaking a List, Checking it Twice pg 1

Natural Prescriptions pg 2

5 Clever Uses for Dental Floss pg 2

Keeping Young Teeth Healthy pg 3

2 Ingredient "Ice Cream" pg 3

Getting the Gang On the Go pg 4

This newsletter produced & printed by the Newsletter Pro www.TheNewsletterPro.com

7. Spread the word about myofunctional therapy to correct crooked teeth.It was my goal to help at least 10 patients with myobrace. We haven't accomplished this yet but are almost to this goal.

PERSONAL GOALS RECAP:

1. Have a fun wedding!I realized I haven’t really recapped the wedding since it happened, and a lot of patients have been asking me how it went. Well, I’m pleased to

announce that it couldn’t have been better! In the weeks leading up to the wedding, my awesome friends and family members took over a lot of the nitty-gritty details — so all I had to focus on was not tripping as I made my way down the aisle. I was completely surprised (in a good way!) by all the room decorations and the cake that my dedicated and loving mom picked out (that was the part I had nothing to do with), and I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. Aside from all that, it was so good to see all my out-of-town family members, and my husband and I had a great time celebrating with all of our closest friends.

2. Do more weight training.I do weight training at least one day a week — sometimes two. Which, considering that number used to be zero, is a win! I would like to add an extra day (once I find the time and make it a habit), so it’s still a work in progress.

3. Take a public speaking course.Public speaking courses are notoriously boring, so I did one better: I signed up for an improv course at Second City. Improv has taught me a.) how to be more expressive, and b.) how to create interesting conversations. These new skills have helped me both in and out of the office, and I’ve learned how to better express myself in different ways. It’s not exactly “public speaking,” but it’s more fun and a whole lot more interesting. Check!

4. Read one book per month.Yeesh — this is the one goal at which I am inching my way toward, but am far from completing. It’s not that I don’t like to read, it’s just that I get so distracted by all the new books coming my way, I can never finish the one I started! This is another goal that I am continuously working on …

Well, there you have it! Here’s my (a little more than) mid-year re-cap. So there’s still more to work on. How are you doing on your 2015 goals? I’d love to know!

As some of you may know, goals are a pretty big deal to me. Each year, I spend the last few weeks of December coming up with some solid objectives: things I want to accomplish in my personal and professional life over the next 365 days. Then, I write them down and check in with them … often. Right around this time of year, I spend some time marking off all the goals I’ve already accomplished, and thinking about some new ones. After all, New Year’s Day is only four short months away.

This year, I’m happy to say that I am en route to accomplishing the majority of my goals set in January! (Including “having a fun wedding,” but I’ll get to that in a minute.)

PROFESSIONAL GOALS RECAP:

1. Have a successful move.Mission accomplished! Not only did all of our equipment make it safely to the new location, but so far, all of our patients have followed us as well. And they seem to be loving the new digs.

2. Purchase new curing lights.Check! Our new curing lights take only five seconds to harden a filling (whereas our old lights took 20). It may not seem like much, but those 15 extra seconds per layer/per tooth have saved us 5-10 minutes per appointment. Our patients can get in and out of their procedures in record time, without sacrificing quality.

3. Hire an associate.You met Dr. Martha Silva (previously Dr. Martha Morales) in last month’s issue. She’ll be helping us grow our practice by working Monday evenings, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Another huge win for Wrigleyville Dental.

4. Obtain my AGD Certificate.After years and years (and years) of hard work, I can finally say that

I am a fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry! They had a cap-and-gown ceremony to commemorate the occasion, and now I am officially Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, FAGD.

5. Improve patient experience.We’ve definitely made some strides when it comes to improving the patient experience — but we believe there’s always room for growth. While some aspects of this goal have been “accomplished,” there are a few more things I’d like to do to improve the patient experience

before I can check this one off the list. There’ll be more on this in future newsletters.

6. Become a resource for patients suffering from sleep apnea. This is another work in progress. While we’ve been diligently educating more and more patients about this condition, and making devices that treat sleep apnea for those who can't use a CPAP, we’re always looking for ways to do more.

MAKING A LIST,

The results are in: Families that stay active together are happier and healthier than those that sit on the couch together. So, how can you get your whole gang going? We’ve got some tips that will help you increase your clan’s fitness level and boost everyone’s well-being!

SET GOALS: Even at young ages, it’s important to get kids goal-oriented when it comes to fitness! Part of this includes educating them on where their baseline is and where they want to be. Go through a family round of fitness testing and have them document their current

Checking it Twice

level. Help them create a game plan that includes nutrition, and display it somewhere in their room. Have the kiddos bring it out and take pride in their activity!

MAKE IT REWARDING: When the little athletes achieve a goal, reward it! Rewards don’t have to be extravagant; in fact, making it something simple like a “get out of chores free” card is a great way to motivate them to pump up the power. Of course, the end goal is that fitness is the reward, but some tangible encouragement once in a while is a great way to get reluctant athletes moving!

WALK IT OUT: Try getting a few pedometers (the little gadgets now come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes) and start everyone in your brood off with a goal of 10,000 steps a day! It may seem like a thousand too many, but you’ll quickly see that taking the stairs instead of the elevator or opting for a farther-out parking space rather than one right next to the store will help you boost your step count and your health.

MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR: Working together is another great way to get your whole gang moving daily. Even something as simple as an after-dinner walk is a tool to move your little ones off the couch and into good health. Every night, gather the fam for an evening stroll, and you’ll be turning workout time into family time. For some weekend fun, try scheduling a cycling outing and get everyone on two wheels! If your kids see you having fun while exercising, they’re far more likely to get excited about increasing their heart rates!

GETTING THE GANGOn the Go

Wrigleyville Dental is Expanding! We are now looking for new Dental

Assistants, Hygienists, and Receptionists. Please send your resume and cover letter

to megan@wrigleyvilledental.com.

773-975-6666 | 14 | wrigleyvilledental.com

3256 N. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Mondays 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

PRST STD US POSTAGE

PAID BOISE, ID

PERMIT 411

- Dr. Teplitsky

ADDED

NEW EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS!

GOOD DENTAL HABITS

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the bananas in the freezer until frozen.

2. When ready to eat, leave bananas on the counter for 3-5 minutes to thaw.

3. In a high-speed blender, blend ingredients until smooth.

4. Spoon out and top with your favorite sundae specialties!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 frozen bananas • 1 cup packed fresh

baby spinach

OPTIONAL:

• 1 heaping tablespoon almond butter

• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract

• Agave to taste

Can just two ingredients really give you deliciously dreamy “ice cream”? With a little help from Popeye, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Try this sweet banana confection with a surprising secret ingredient: spinach! Whip up a batch of the basic version, or tweak it a bit to suit your exacting tastes with some optional additions; but remember, resist the urge to gobble this dairy-free delight too fast or brain freeze awaits!

As you know, we’re all about natural ways of promoting your overall health, not just your oral health, and preventing problems rather than treating them after they happen. Wouldn’t you rather just eat the right foods and avoid all those nasty health issues before they can develop?

1. HANG FRAMES: A quality dental floss is sturdy enough to hold lightweight frames, but won’t scratch walls like wire can.

Double or triple the floss for extra strength.

2. SLICE NICELY: A piece of unflavored dental floss can cut through soft foods (like cake, cheese, or a roll of cookie

dough) without smooshing the surface. Wrap each end of the floss around your fingers and, keeping it taut, press down through the item.

3. FEED THE BIRDS: Lure feathered friends into your yard with a tasty

garland. Thread a needle with unflavored waxed floss and string popcorn, cereal or dried fruit onto it, then hang from a tree.

4. REMOVE A RING: Avoid the frustration (and pain) of trying to yank

off a too-tight ring. Slip an 8” length of floss under the ring and snugly wind it around the lower part of your finger (including the knuckle) to temporarily bind it.

That’s where herbs and spices come in handy. Not only are they useful to make lean meats and vegetables taste delicious, but they also contain valuable antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and some unique medicinal properties. Here are some great natural herbs and spices that can do amazing things for your body and your health without extra calories!

1. Black Pepper. That’s right! Black pepper encourages the process of thermogenesis in the body, thanks to a substance called piperine. Even after you’ve digested black pepper, piperine is working to block the formation of new fat cells and help your body use nutrients more efficiently. Combine it with other substances like capsaicin,

Quickly slide the ring off your tightened finger, then unwind the floss.

5. RESCUE PHOTOS: To separate stuck-on photographs from the pages of an old album or the glass of a frame, gently

move a length of dental floss in a saw-like motion between the two.

Did you know? The first mass-produced dental floss was introduced in 1882 and was made of real silk.

2-INGREDIENT

"Ice Cream"

Keeping young kids’ teeth and gums healthy isn’t always the easiest task, but like all good habits, it starts at home. You want to promote positive oral health from a very young age and instill the benefits of a clean and healthy mouth!

BRUSHING FOR BEGINNERS

For the youngest kids, it’s best to start with a small, extra-soft brush with only a tiny dab of flouride-free or training toothpaste (it’s okay if they swallow a little). For kids who are little older, about 2 and up, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste will do the trick. Once they reach age 4, they can start brushing on their own, but mom and dad should always help them to make sure all teeth surfaces have been brushed. Solo tooth brushing doesn't begin until age 7 or 8.

THE BACTERIA BATTLE

Since kids aren’t born with the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, it’s up to us to help them keep the bacteria at bay during early childhood development. Where does the bacteria come from? Mostly, adults. It often hitches a ride on eating utensils, cups, and other items that may come in contact with another person’s mouth. The best way to prevent this is to make sure your own mouth is free of gum disease and dental decay, and to not share these and similar items. It’s also important to properly clean pacifiers and bottles, and avoid kissing infants on the mouth.

SAY SAYONARA TO SUGAR

It goes without saying, sweet treats for young kids (and really, everyone) should be very limited. Sugars give oral bacteria the power to multiply and damage our teeth. Sugary and fizzy drinks, and chewy candy are among the worst culprits of tooth decay. For kids who are still using bottles, make sure they don’t go down to bed with a bottle containing juice or milk. Unlike us, oral bacteria never sleeps, so you don’t want to give them the advantage!

And don’t forget to start those visits to the dentist when the child is young (around 18 months or so). It’s always best to start those preventive measures early to achieve and maintain optimum oral health!

and black pepper could burn as many calories as a 20-minute walk.

2. Cinnamon. Who doesn’t love cinnamon? Well, you’ll have even more reason to love it when you hear that cinnamon helps control blood sugar and insulin levels, regulates your metabolism, manages your hunger, and protects you from diabetes.

3. Garlic. You might want garlic on hand to ward off vampires, but there are some other great benefits to this one-of-a kind bulb. Garlic helps you metabolize carbohydrates and fats more efficiently, making it great for cardiovascular and circulatory health. What’s more, it’s a delicious addition to pretty much any savory dish you can dream up.

4. Ginseng. Panax ginseng is a useful aid in weight reduction, but it also slows down weight gain from diets that are high in fat. Ginseng is also prized for its properties of boosting energy and speeding up metabolism.

5. Peppermint. Maybe you need to stop eating those Christmas candy canes and just smell them instead! A 2009 study determined that the scent of peppermint curbed appetites. Participants who smelled peppermint for a week consumed 1,800 fewer calories than the control group during the same week. As a bonus, this miracle leaf also helps relieve headaches, upset stomachs, and stuffy noses!

These are just a few of the many herbs and spices that can really energize your body, keeping it vibrant and strong. But we encourage you to do some research for yourself about the many different naturally occurring foods that can improve your health. There may be some others out there that completely change your life, so go get them!

NATURAL PRESCRIPTIONS FOR Lifelong Health

SOURCE: WELLNESSMAMA.COM

CLEVER USES FOR DENTAL FLOSS

START YOUNG

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