`Fall 2012 ISSUE NO. 4

Delaware Smile CenterDelaware Smile CenterImplant, Cosmetic & Family DentistryImplant, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

302 - 285 - 7645302 - 285 - SMILE

We’re here to answer your questions. Give us a call, send us an email or just stop by!dscpatients@gmail.com

www.desmilecenter.com201 Carter Drive, Suite A

Middletown, DE 19709

those less fortunate than ourselves.  Delaware Smile Center patient and all-round wonderful person Barbara Zupan has been doing just that!  For the past three years, Barbara has donated her time to Operation Christmas Child - an international charity that helps impoverished children all around the world. The idea is simple: take a shoe box and fill it with a variety of gifts like toys, clothes and school supplies.  This year alone Barbara has helped put together over 3,000 gift boxes!

With the holiday season around the corner it's time to start thinking about

Our very own Joanna Furmanski learned about Operation Christmas Child through Barbara, telling us, “Barbara is such a sweetheart...I am just glad I could help!” In addition to providing Barbara with shoe boxes, Joanna donated much needed dental hygiene supplies including toothbrushes and toothpaste. Delaware Smile Center would like to thank Barbara and Joanna for giving children around the world something to smile about!

Santa’s Helpers: Joanna Furmanski with Barbara Zupan

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High blood pressure, also know as hypertension, affects more than 65 million people in this country. That’s approximately 1 in 3 American adults! About 28 percent of American adults age 18 and older, or about 59 million people, have prehypertension, a condition that increases the chance of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure can affect anyone, although it is especially common among African Americans, who tend to develop it at an earlier age. It is also common among older individuals. People with normal blood pressure at age 55 have a 90 percent risk for developing high blood pressure later on in life.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls. It is measured in millimeters of mercury and recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure, which is when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which is when the heart relaxes between beats. Both numbers are important in recording blood pressure. A systolic pressure above

140 or a diastolic pressure above 90 is considered above normal. Blood pressure rises and falls during the day, but when it stays elevated over time it is classified as high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. The high force of the blood flow against artery walls can damage arteries and organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes. Unfortunately, high blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms. Once it occurs, it usually lasts a lifetime. If left uncontrolled, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and blindness.

So how about some good news? Lifestyle plays a huge role in controlling high blood pressure. If you can successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication. Here are five lifestyle changes you can make to help lower your blood pressure and keep it down:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

• Be physically active. Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes most days of the week, can lower your blood pressure.

• Eat a healthy diet. Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and avoiding saturated fats and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure significantly.

• Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Even a small reduction of salt in your diet can reduce blood pressure. It is best to limit your salt intake by reading food labels and eating fewer processed foods, such as potato chips and lunch meats.

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your blood pressure and also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

Dr. Saqib Usmani practices general dentistry at Delaware Smile Center.

Dr. Sohaib Usmani practices general dentistry at Delaware Smile Center and is also attending faculty at Christiana Care’s General Practice Residency.

• • •

Controlling High

Blood Pressure:

The Importance

of Healthy Living

DOCTOR’S CORNER

- Lighthouse 360

success story:“I was petrified of going to the dentist...I was able to be put asleep and have sedation dentistry and it was amazing! It was quick, easy and I felt great afterwards... I didn’t have all the anxiety that would normally make me cancel appointments...I am thrilled with my [dental] implants, I am thrilled with the braces that I had...I love everything about the treatments that I’ve had...If I could bring everyone here I would!”

- Cindy Grygo

The single biggest source of calories in the American diet is from carbonated soft drinks! Today, heavily sweetened, carbonated drinks or sodas are among the most popular beverages in the world. Soft drinks are essentially empty calories. They provide an enormous amount of sugar to our diets, mainly in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

You are probably well aware that carbonated soft drinks are not good for your teeth. Not only do they have a high sugar content that contributes to tooth decay, they also have a very acidic pH that can erode tooth enamel! You can imagine what drinking 2 to 3 cans of soda a day will do to your teeth. In fact, many schools have removed soft drink vending machines in their cafeterias because of these negative health effects. The best approach is to avoid carbonated soft drinks altogether. Try substituting soda with healthier beverages such as water, milk or juice.

Soda Drinkers Beware...

Professional Smile Maker Dr. Sohaib Usmani with Cindy Grygo

- Lighthouse 360

DELAWARE SMILE CENTER

201 Carter Drive, Suite AMiddletown, DE 19709

Ingredients:

4 McIntosh apples

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Yield: 6 servings

Scan with your

smart phone!

There is nothing better than homemade applesauce...and it is so easy to make! If you want chunky

applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples. If you prefer a

smoother sauce, use a food

processor.

Peel and chop apples. Place apple pieces in a medium microwavable bowl. Cover and microwave until softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a food processor. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and puree until desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Easy Homemade Apple Sauce