Why I’m Thankful for Work and Family

I recently returned from my mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and I have to say, it was a phenomenal experience. As I mentioned last month, this was my second trip to the island, but this one was a lot different than the first. On my maiden voyage, we traveled to rural areas and were really roughin’ it. The tools and facilities were rudimentary, and we did all we could to help people out.

This time, on the other hand, we worked out of San Pedro at a nice, if not totally modern, clinic. A small group of 10 dentists from the States went to assist local dentists in providing care for residents who could not afford modern dentistry. It was a true collaborative effort. For certain parts of the day, one of us would lead and another would assist. Then, we’d switch roles. Now, I don’t speak a lick of Spanish, and a lot of the Dominican dentists were not fluent in English. They probably understood me a lot better than I could them, though. Even with the language barrier, I hope the local dentists enjoyed working with a guy from Eagle, Idaho.

“My family, along with my wife’s siblings and their kids, is heading off to Disneyland. When we told our kids, you would’ve thought they’d won the lottery.”

All in all, though, it was a complete joy to work alongside these dedicated doctors and their staff. We put in fillings and dental implants alongside some preventative work. It was a nice change of pace to do some more advanced dentistry, as my first trip was almost exclusively pulling teeth — and I mean that literally. The staff and patients in San Pedro welcomed us with open arms, and I boarded the plane back to the United States, having made many new friends. Additionally, I had the chance to catch up with an old one. I actually heard about the opportunity from my friend Richie, who I went to dental school with. We hadn’t had a chance to spend time together for several years, and it was wonderful to catch up.

Now that I’m back in Idaho, I have a trip of an entirely different order to look forward to. My family, along with my wife’s siblings and their kids, is heading off to Disneyland. When we told our kids, you would’ve thought they’d won the lottery. We’ve even started a countdown calendar so that every day feels just a little closer to the big day. Avy, Jett, and Max are 6, 4, and a newborn, respectively, so they’re at the perfect ages to make this journey unforgettable. In a fun bit of irony, my son may be named Jett, but he’s a huge fan of the “Cars” series. When I found out that there were “Cars”-themed rides at Disneyland, I knew he’d be elated.

Aside from that huge event on the horizon, we’ll be looking forward to spending Thanksgiving in Rexburg with my in-laws. I always enjoy piling my plate with sweet potatoes. Maybe it’s just my family, but nobody seems to love them as much as I do. Oh well, all the more for me.

I want to wish everyone reading this a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have the chance to unwind and enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. As we go around the table, I have a feeling I know what my kids will be bringing up. As for me, I’m so thankful for our incredible team and wonderful community of patients. You’ve made me feel more than welcome in my first full year at the practice, and it fills me with gratitude every day.

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Hannah officially joined the staff here in August as well, after doing some externing for us before she graduated. She’s now our newest assistant, and she’s hit the ground running.

“I love the patients here, I love Dr. Thomason, and I love the girls,” Hannah says. “Each of them contributes to making this place so special, especially our amazing community of patients.” In her role as an assistant, Hannah has to be a jack-of-all-trades. “I basically help out anyone that needs a hand,” she notes, “whether that’s Dr. Thomason, Kara, or our office staff.” Hannah has an ‘ask me anything’ attitude that makes all of our lives easier and makes our patients feel welcome immediately.

In the hours when she’s not helping our office run like clockwork, Hannah’s spending time with her family. “I love spending every moment I can with my husband, Tony, and our 3-year-old daughter, Sophia,” she says. “Tony and I both love the outdoors, and we’re training Sophia to be a little nature lover, as well.” One of Hannah’s favorite activities is paddleboarding, and she’s hoping to get a few more runs in before it cools off for the winter.

We already knew that Hannah would be a great addition to our team during her externship. Now that she’s onboard for real, that feeling has only magnified. We pride ourselves on creating a fun environment, and there’s no doubt that Hannah contributes to that in a significant way

Kara just joined our team as a hygienist on August 14, but she already feels like a part of the Eagle Dental Care family. She’s a natural with patients, and her passion for dentistry is evident from the moment you meet her. Maybe that’s because her love of the dentist’s office began at an early age.

“When I was growing up,” Kara says, “I saw the same hygienist for many years, and I came to really value our relationship. My experiences were always great, and I want to provide the same connection to my patients now.” In addition to our wonderful patients, Kara is also a fan of Dr. Thomason and the entire team here. “They’ve made me feel welcome,” she states, “and I’m loving every day here.”

Another thing that excites Kara is educating patients about the link between oral care and their overall health. “ I feel lucky to be involved in dentistry at such an exciting time,” she notes. “People are becoming more aware about how important good oral hygiene is, and I’m thrilled to be able to help them understand the medical connection in a little more detail.”

When she’s not in the office, Kara loves to spend her time exploring the incredible Idaho scenery. “I just moved from Vancouver, Washington,” she says, “and I’m loving all of the nature that Idaho has to offer. I’m sure I have many weekends of hiking, camping, and fishing in my future.”

We’re so happy to have Kara here at Eagle Dental Care. Over the coming months, she’s looking forward to meeting all of our patients and developing relationships that last for years.

For many kids, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown of a dark room. Luckily, there are ways to help your child overcome the terror they feel as soon as you turn out the light, and chase the beasts away for good, just in time for the spooky Halloween season.

The first step to curing a child’s fear of the dark is to find out exactly what they’re afraid of. Ask your child what scares them, using open-ended questions. Don’t belittle or dismiss their specific fears. As trivial as it may seem to you, it’s all too real to your kid. A simple statement like “I can see you’re really scared” can go a long way.

Then, you need to ensure your child feels safe in the dark. Spend some time with them after the lights are off, calmly reassuring them that they’re safe in their bedroom. Show that there’s nothing to be afraid of, whether by shining a light into the closet or taking a look under the bed — with the child looking too — to prove there’s nothing to worry about. Empower them to banish their fears themselves. If they get frightened and run into your bedroom, escort them back to their own bed and help them relax. Their own bedroom must become a safe space.

Only give your child healthy snacks before sending them to bed. Sugars and processed foods activate brain activity, putting your kid on high alert. Try vegetables, nuts, or string cheese.

Of course, adding more light is always an option as well. Get a lamp with a dimmer that goes on their night stand, or plug in a few fun night lights. Over the period of a few months, steadily decrease the amount of light in the room. Eventually they’ll be fully acclimated.

Providing Aid in the Dominican Republic

When I finished dental school, I took a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, which had a big impact on me. After getting off the plane in Santo Domingo, we boarded a bus that took us six hours into the country. We were working in remote villages, so we could only bring along a few tools and some anesthetic. As we drove further and further from the city, I grew increasingly excited at the prospect of providing dental care to people who would otherwise never receive it.

After arriving, we built our base camp and prepared ourselves to work. The setup was, to put it mildly, rustic. There was a tree and a cow right next to us, but we made due with what we had. With flashlights affixed to our heads, we saw as many people as we could. Most of the work we did centered on pain relief, by which I mean we pulled a lot of teeth. A patient would tell us where it hurt, then we’d numb them and remove the problem tooth. Performing extraction after extraction reminded me of how lucky we are to have solid dental care here in America. Most of these residents were dealing with overwhelming tooth pain on a daily basis. It felt wonderful to provide what little help I could, and it’s an experience that will stick with me forever.

The reason I bring up this story is because I’ll be heading back to the Dominican Republic October 7–14 for another dental journey. This time around, I’ll be able to do some restorative work in addition to the emergency interventions. I’m not entirely sure what this trip has in store for me, but I can tell you that I couldn’t be looking forward to it more. Helping patients in need is one of the greatest joys of being a dentist, and this trip will no doubt be a chance to do that.

Of course, outreach isn’t just something you should do thousands of miles away. Throughout the holidays, Eagle Dental Care will be participating in a can drive to benefit local food pantries during the holiday season. We hope you’ll bring in some cans to contribute to our donation. We’ll be displaying them in the office as they pile up, and we hope to have a nice pyramid by the end of the drive. If you bring in 5 cans, we’ll even be offering some discounts on treatment.

Once I return from the Dominican Republic, my family will already be getting swept up in the Halloween frenzy. Avy, our 5-year-old, loves Halloween, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for a costume this year. Given that Halloween falls on a weekday, we might also have an office dress-up day to celebrate.

My bags aren’t quite packed yet, but I’m already making preparations for my trip. Before I add another stamp to my passport, though, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Halloween. May your kids enjoy a night of costumes and candy. Well, maybe not too much candy.

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If you have sensitive teeth, brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking can cause sharp, temporary pain. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel, exposed dentin, or exposed tooth roots. However, sensitive teeth can also be caused by cavities, cracks, chips, bleaching, or recent dental work.

If your sensitive teeth hinder your daily life, consult your dentist. They may be able to rule out underlying causes of your tooth pain and recommend treatments. Desensitizing toothpaste can, after several applications, sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth. Your dentist may also apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen enamel and reduce pain. Treatment options for exposed tissue include bond resin, surgical gum grafts, and root canals.

To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily. Make sure you aren’t brushing with too much pressure. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist for a mouth guard to wear at night.

Consider limiting your intake of carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and yogurt, all of which remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time. If you eat acidic food, drink milk or water to balance the acid levels in your mouth. Also, refrain from brushing your teeth immediately after eating, as some foods and drinks can soften the enamel of your teeth.

Sensitive teeth can be debilitating, but proper oral hygiene and dental care coupled with avoidance of acidic food and drink can reduce or cure your tooth sensitivity.

Demystify Your Kids’ Overstuffed Schedules and Get Your Life Back

Every parent knows that a poorly organized tangle of kids’ activities is a recipe for a migraine. As school starts up again, so does sports season, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Don’t let yourself get burned out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind.

Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking into one system. Let’s get one thing straight: You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with a lighthouse on every page. One particularly attractive option is the Cozi app (cozi.com), which not only consolidates an entire family’s calendars, but allows you to include to-do lists, shopping lists, recipes, chore checklists, and more. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law.

Form parent alliances. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and they have parents shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools — Noah’s mom drives them both Tuesday while you’ve got Thursdays — to manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. To simplify the process and make sure everyone’s on the same page, check out the Carpool-Kids app at carpool-kids.com. It’ll let you directly invite other parents and set up weekly or one-shot carpool schedules.

Maintain balance. You almost certainly will need to say no to additional extracurricular activities every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Johnny wants to do underwater basket weaving? Strange choice, but sure — though he’ll have to abandon either fencing or ice hockey. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.

Celebrating 1 Year at Eagle Dental

When I realized recently that I was celebrating one year as the dentist at Eagle Dental Care, I was a little bit surprised. I guess when life is busy, you forget how quickly a milestone can arrive. It’s been an amazing first year at the practice, and I owe a massive thanks to the team for making me feel welcome from the first day through the 365th. An equally sincere thanks goes out to all the patients who have continued to support Eagle Dental Care during my first year.

That first day on the job feels like it was only weeks ago. We hit the ground running right away, seeing patients as soon as I arrived. There was something special about that day, though, as we closed the practice a couple hours early to have an open house. We invited all of our patients to come in, say goodbye with a big thankyou to Dr. Courtial, and be introduced to yours truly. I think that open house was the perfect way to get started, and I’d like to think we are still carrying the momentum from that evening.

I was lucky enough to arrive at a thriving practice with an exceptional staff, so I’ve been careful to not rock the boat too much. Patients deserve the same thoughtful care they are used to, and I want everyone to feel as at home as they ever have. That said, we have had the chance to do a few touch-ups in the past year. We’ve put in new computers and monitors, intaoral cameras, and X-ray sensors. We changed some signage and did a little landscaping.

“My goal is to make Eagle Dental Care a state-of-the-art practice without sacrificing the personal, friendly care that has always been an essential part of the office.”

In this next year, we are hoping to make a few additional improvements to the office. Along with some remodeling, I am excited to bring some new dental technology into the office. My goal is to make Eagle Dental Care a state-of-the-art practice without sacrificing the personal, friendly care that has always been an essential part of the office.

Speaking of major milestones, I’m sending my daughter, Avy, who is my oldest, off to kindergarten this year. I have to admit, it’s probably going to be harder on me than her. She’s excited about it. After two years of preschool, she’s had plenty of experience being in a structured environment with other children. Nevertheless, kindergarten is a big deal, and I’m looking forward to seeing her start this stage of her life.

Kindergarten will be a new experience for Avy, but she’s not the only one trying out new things! Our newborn, Max, had a first of his own when we took him out recently for his first camping trip. It was short but sweet, and I’m sure it will be the first of many. As many of you know, I’m a huge outdoorsman, so it means a lot to be able to share that love with my family.

Before I sign off this month, I just want to thank everyone again for making my first year at Eagle Dental so amazing. Here’s to many more!

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The Truth About Sparkling Water

Soda sales are down, and sparkling water sales are up.

Health-minded individuals are turning away from sugar-filled sodas and juices, replacing them with fizzy alternatives such as La Croix and Perrier. These beverages offer all the bubbles without the guilt — but are they any safer for our teeth?

Sodas and juices are highly acidic. Combine that with sugar, and you have the ultimate recipe for tooth decay. Remove the sugars and acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, and you are left with a very different sort of drink.

A 2016 study featured in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) took a close look at the erosive properties of beverages we consume every day and their impact on tooth enamel. The study found that sports drinks were the worst offenders, or “extremely erosive,” with sodas trailing close behind.

Researchers also found that sparkling water was “minimally erosive” when it came to the impact on tooth enamel. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor with the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor with the American Dental Association, says that, sugars aside, the acidity in sparkling water is significantly less than sodas, juices, and other similar drinks.

The carbon dioxide bubbles in sparkling water (which become carbonic acid when consumed) are weaker than the acids found in other drinks. The bubbles are not a danger to tooth enamel. If regularly consumed over a long period of time, however, sparkling water may have an erosive effect. But for a vast majority of the population, this is a non-issue.

The important takeaway from the JADA study is that sugar-free sparkling water is a healthier alternative to soda, juice, sports drinks, and other beverages high in sugars and acid content. That includes beverages marketed as diet (they may lack sugar, but they are still highly acidic). The next time you reach for a bubbly and refreshing sparkling water, you can know you are making a good choice for your body and teeth.

Popcorn is considered to be a fairly healthy snack by most experts, especially when compared to other salty treats, like corn chips. Unfortunately, microwave popcorn is another matter. Many popular popcorn brands use trans fats, which the Centers for Disease Control estimate are related to 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually. Additionally, a study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified a connection between the chemical diacetyl, used to flavor microwave popcorn, and cases of lung disease in workers at popcorn factories.

For popcorn lovers, the answer is clear: Make popcorn yourself! Pour ¼ cup of popcorn kernels into a regular brown paper bag, fold the top of the bag shut tight, then pop in microwave for about two minutes, or until popping slows to a second between pops. Voila! Fresh popcorn with no factory chemicals. If you’re craving some fun flavors, try these simple recipes.

Traditional Butter

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then drizzle it along the sides of a brown paper bag. Pour your already popped popcorn into the bag until it’s half full, close the bag tight, and shake vigorously. In no time, you’ll have perfectly buttered popcorn!

Cinnasugar Bliss

This is a great recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of sugar to 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Drizzle onto the edges of a brown paper bag, add popped popcorn, and shake well.

Sriracha Sesame Celebration

Here’s to the adventurous popcorn lovers! Combine 1 tablespoon Sriracha, 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle half over popcorn and shake well inside of bag. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Whether you’re preparing for a movie marathon or need an afterschool snack, any of these recipes will be a tasty alternative to the chemicals saturating microwave popcorn. Enjoy!