Wellnes, September 2016

CHILTON COUNTY

Head over heels YMCA

offers gymnastics classes this fall

INSIDE Local dentists share dental hygiene tips for kids

Technology

allows dentists to create crowns in house

Meet Lori Patterson, the new YMCA director

TABLE OF CONTENTS 32

10

28 CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

5

28

QUICK BITES

32

about eating right

New technology saves dental patients time and trouble

GOOD HABITS START EARLY

TIPS TO GET KIDS MORE EXCITED

10

5 low-calorie snacks that stray from the norm

Local dentists share dental hygiene tips for children

HEALTHY MOUTH, HEALTHY LIFE

CHILTON COUNTY

16 H ead over

Why dental hygiene is essential for overall health

HEAD OVER HEELS

Heels yMca

20

offers gyMnastics cLasses this faLL

INSIDE

LocaL dentists share dentaL hygiene tips for kids

technoLogy

aLLows dentists to create crowns in house

Meet Lori patterson, the new yMca director

YMCA of Chilton County offers youth gymnastics classes

ON THE COVER

YMCA HIRES NEW DIRECTOR

Ashley Lanier is coaching youth gymnastics at the YMCA of Chilton County.

Photo by Anthony Richards.

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Dr. Roy demonstrates the process of shaping the crown in modeling software

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT New technology saves dental patients time and trouble STORY AND PHOTO

BY STEVEN CALHOUN

D

r. Rex Hall and Dr. Richard Roy have been using a cutting edge machine at their dental practice.

The two previously had to send off scans and measurements to a lab for all their crowns. The new machine allows the duo to craft crowns in house, saving patients time and trouble.

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The computer and scanner station is beside the patient.

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The process begins when the doctor scans a patient’s teeth using a special scanner attached to a computer stationed by the patient’s chair. A 3D model of the suggested crown appears on the screen.

The software has a database of thousands of models of teeth that have been scanned. It uses these teeth to determine the general shape of how a certain tooth should look and automatically generates what it calculates to be the best fit. The doctor can make adjustments to this model as he sees fit before printing the crown.

PAGE 6 FROM LEFT: The CEREC machine is the size of a commercial printer.

The oven used for glazing and firing the crown after it is shaped can reach over 400 degrees Celsius

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A block of lithium disilicate between the two bits that will soon shape it.

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A finished crown that was made by the machine, then glazed and fired.

Dr. Roy demonstrated how a full mouth scan could be used to see how the new crown would fit with the rest of his patient’s teeth. He used the software to make certain parts of the tooth rounder or taller, and made sure his patient’s crown would fit perfectly with his bite.

After he made the crown model, he sent it to the machine. Very precise, small millers and grinders in the machine shaped the material into a custom-fitted crown for the patient. Every curve and edge of the crown was precisely carved out of a block of material.

“This is different from a 3D printer,” said Roy. “This material is too strong to be printed. Instead, you have to start with the solid and take away from it.”

Hall and Roy use lithium disilicate to make their crowns.

The substance looks just like a tooth, and is capable of being heated to extreme temperatures.

Once the crown is made, it is glazed and fired. This involves covering the crown with a glaze and placing it into a special furnace. The furnace heats the material to over 400 degrees Celsius, which hardens the glaze.

The doctor then inspects the finished crown and puts it in place. The entire process is done in one visit, and patients walk out with a crown that took only 13 minutes to produce.

In some special cases, crowns do still have to be made in a lab and the machine is not used. According to Roy, though, the machine can handle a majority of cases.

The doctors have two and a half years of experience with the $135,000 machine, and are very pleased with its results.

“The advantage [of the machine] is that there are no temporary crowns,” said Dr. Roy. “Patients used to get a temporary and then wait two weeks for a permanent. Now they leave their visit with a permanent crown.” ■

Daily 6am-4pm

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GOOD HABITS

Local dentists share dental hygiene tips START EARLY for children WRITTEN BY AMALIA KORTRIGHT PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

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I

t is never too early for parent to take interest in their child’s dental health.

However, with each age group comes different methods and challenges to raising children with healthy teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends that a child have their first visit to the dentist around the age of one. According to Dr. Matthew McCain from Matthew J McCain DMD, Family Dentistry, a child’s teeth can start growing between

six months to one year, and that it is important for parents to schedule their child’s first dental visit within six months of their first tooth growing in.

“Parents should get their child established at a dental clinic as soon as possible.” said McCain.

“We need to make sure that everything is developing in the right order.”

Dr. Griffin Hornsby from the Thorsby Dental Clinic explained that the first visit is commonly

referred to a “knee-to-knee” exam. The child’s head is placed in the dentist’s lap, and the parent is seated across from the dentist, close enough to where their knees are touching.

It is best that parents begin a daily dental care regimen for their children as soon as they begin growing teeth. Parents can start by wiping their children’s teeth as soon as they grow in. Toothpaste that contains fluoride should not be used until the child reaches the age of two. From then on, fluoridated toothpaste should only be used in pea-sized amounts. Otherwise, children could develop a condition called fluorosis, which causes opaque white spots to form on teeth.

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While too much fluoride can cause permanent tooth damage, fluoridated toothpaste in the correct amount has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel and help heal small cavities on the surface of the tooth.

“With toothpaste, the risk of developing fluorosis is relatively small because kids can spit it out,” said McCain.

“Fluoride not only serves to strengthen enamel, but it can slow down the types of bacteria that cause cavities. Just like anything else, we have to monitor our kids while they’re using it.”

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“With toothpaste, the risk of developing fluorosis is relatively small because kids can spit it out. Just like anything else, we have to monitor our kids while they’re using it.”

Dr. Matthew McCain Dr. McCain and Dr. Hornsby suggested that parents assist their children in brushing their teeth until they are around nine or ten years old.

“Most people are shocked when they hear that,” said Hornsby. “It mainly depends on the child’s ability and maturity level. Children are likely to say that they brushed when they didn’t or miss a lot.”

According to Dr. Hornsby, the biggest concerns with his patients are their diets and their understanding of how to properly clean their teeth.

“The most important thing is not sipping on sugary drinks. If children have juice, I urge parents to limit it to meals only. Parents don’t realize that even the lactose in

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“The most important thing is not sipping on sugary drinks.

If children have juice, I urge parents to limit it to meals only.”

Dr. Griffin Hornsby milk can feed the bacteria in their kids’ mouths and cause cavities.” said Hornsby. “One of the biggest problems we have is being able to educate patients on how to floss and brush their teeth correctly. A lot of times, we’ll have patients brush their teeth in front of us and show them what they’re doing wrong. We say to brush your teeth for around two minutes, but it’s more important to make sure that a child is brushing their teeth until every surface is cleaned.”

According to Dr. Hornsby, flossing is also imperative for children.“Because most cavities

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form between the teeth, it’s just as important as brushing.”

While many children are often afraid to visit the dentist, there are several ways that parents can negate those fears.

“A lot of times, a child’s impression of the dentist is influenced by their families.” said McCain. “I encourage parents to emphasize the fun aspects of a dental visit. I recommend getting there fifteen or twenty minutes early to get the kids comfortable with the environment.”■

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

Why

dental hygiene is essential for overall health

Healthy mouth, healthy life

T

he importance of maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums goes beyond having fresh breath and a white smile.

Many people are surprised to discover that oral hygiene plays an integral role in overall health.

Research indicates that oral health mirrors the condition of the body as a whole. Also, regular dental visits can alert dentists about overall health and pinpoint if a person is at a risk for chronic disease. An oral health checkup also may be the first indication of a potential health issue not yet evident to a general medical doctor.

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HEART DISEASE

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, there is a distinct relationship between periodontal disease and conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Joint teams at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, found that people with bleeding gums from poor dental hygiene could have an increased risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth is able to enter the bloodstream when bleeding gums are present. That bacteria can stick to platelets and subsequently form blood clots. This interrupts the flow of blood to the heart and may trigger a heart attack. Brushing and flossing twice daily and rinsing with mouthwash can remove bacteria and keep gums healthy.

FACIAL PAIN

The Office of the Surgeon General says infections of the gums that support the teeth can lead to facial and oral pain. Gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease, as well as advanced gum disease, affects more than 75 percent of the American population. Dental decay can lead to its own share of pain. Maintaining a healthy mouth can fend off decay and infections, thereby preventing pain.

PANCREATIC CANCER

In 2007, the Harvard School of Public Health reported a link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer. In the ongoing study, 51,000 men were fol-

lowed and data was collected beginning in 1986. The Harvard researchers found that men with a history of gum disease had a 64 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with men who had never had gum disease.

The greatest risk for pancreatic cancer among this group was in men with recent tooth loss.

However, the study was unable to find links between other types of oral health problems, such as tooth decay, and pancreatic cancer.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Various health ailments, including poor oral health, have been linked to a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010, after reviewing 20 years’ worth of data, researchers from New York University concluded that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Follow-up studies from researchers at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom compared brain samples from 10 living patients with Alzheimer’s to samples from 10 people who did not have the disease. Data indicated that a bacterium – Porphyromonas gingivalis – was present in the Alzheimer’s brain samples but not in the samples from the brains of people

who did not have Alzheimer’s. P. gingivalis is usually associated with chronic gum disease.

As a result of the study, experts think that the bacteria can move via nerves in the roots of teeth that connect directly with the brain or through bleeding gums.

These health conditions are just a sampling of the relationship between oral health and overall health. Additional connections also have been made and continue to be studied. ■

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St. Vincent’s Orthopedics, PC

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YMCA GYM

Ashley Lanier is one of the gymnastic coaches at the YMCA of Chilton County.

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K

ids and teenagers in the Clanton area have an exciting opportunity at the Chilton County YMCA. Weekly gymnastics classes are being offered this fall to students ranging from 18 months to 14 years old. Classes are be held

from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on every weeknight from August 15 to December 16.

According to gymnastics coach Corrie Russell, these classes teach kids floor and balance beam exercises, as well as how to use vaults, tumble and swing on the bars.

Head over heels YMCA

MNASTICS

offers

gymnastics

classes this fall WRITTEN BY AMALIA KORTRIGHT PHOTOS BY ANTHONY RICHARDS

Kids start out by taking beginner level classes, and have the opportunity to move up to intermediate, pre-competitive teams.

Russell said that students have to undergo an evaluation and prove that they are ready before moving up a level.

“There are several requirements and skills that they have to have down in each event.

We’re trying to get them to have those skills.

The higher the level you are at, the more time you get to practice in the gym,” said Russell.

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In addition to regular gymnastics classes, teenagers have the opportunity to try out for the YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team. Students who are selected are usually placed on a level two competitive team.

The highest level that the YMCA offers is level five. After that, students typically join private gyms.

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“Last year, they did very well. We only have one girl participating right now, this is her second year doing it and she’s going to do a fantastic job this year.” said Russell. “Usually, when they hit about twelve or thirteen, they move to a private gym.”

While the competitive teams are an important aspect of the YMCA’s gymnastics program,

competition is not the only reason that kids are interested in joining. Russell stressed that all kids are welcome, regardless of whether they want to pursue a career in gymnastics or they’re just looking to have fun.

Russell began coaching at the YMCA about a year ago.

She started coaching kids at the earlier levels, and moved to coach the competitive teams after the previous head coach took a position elsewhere.

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“I started out as the rec coach, so I worked with the kids that didn’t compete, and I grew to know the little ones first.” said Russell. “Every kid is different. They’ve got to find a sport that they like. A lot of kids come to try it out and see if they like it. We have some kids who only want to do this for recreational purposes, and we have kids who want to make it to the Olympics and be in a gym all the time,” said Russell.

Russell says that participating in gymnastics can also help kids develop skills in other sports, as well.

“It helps out with almost any other sport, especially cheerleading. It helps with anything that requires balance and strength. When you work out constantly, you’re always building muscle.

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According to Russell, there has also been an especially high amount of interest in this season’s gymnastics program due to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. “We’ve had a lot more kids sign up than usual,” said Russell, “and we hear a lot about the Olympics.

All coaches have their safety certifications, and nobody has been hurt during a class in the year that Russell has been a coach at the YMCA. Classes are open both YMCA members and non-members. However, members of the YMCA receive a $30 discount per month. According to Russell, a few spots are still open. Parents can fill out a registration form at the YMCA to sign their child up for a class.

“It’s another set of caring adults in a Christian facility,” said Russell. “It teaches kids to be healthy, to work out and to take care of themselves.” ■

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YMCA Hires New Director

T

he YMCA has hired Lori Patterson as its new director.

Patterson will oversee the programs and staff of the YMCA full-time.

“My goal is to increase programs offered to the youth and children of Chilton County, and to also build up the ones that are already here so that all the programs are to serve the members of our community,” said Patterson.

Since she started the job on Aug. 24, she has implemented a few changes that she says are already going well. The first thing she started when she came on board was the reorganization of the afterschool program to make education more of a focus.

“I brought on retired teachers to come in so that we could create smaller groups for tutoring,” said Patterson, referring to the afterschool program. She also brought in a fitness instructor to do fitness activities with the groups and a teacher from the Arts Council to do arts with the groups.

The YMCA recently had 91 kids sign up for fall soccer, which is the most they’ve ever had, according to Patterson. The YMCA will add tae kwon doe Sept. 12 and is in the process of growing the gymnastics program.

Patterson believes that a renewed focus on health and fitness is going to come along with the revamping of these programs.

“The reason I accepted the job is as an opportunity to serve my community, to do more for the children of Chilton county and the adults,” said Patterson. “I want to make the YMCA something bigger and better.”

To keep up with the YMCA, go to ymcaofchiltoncounty.com. ■ New Chilton County YMCA Director Lori Patterson, left, with Y-USA Resource Director Charles Trammell. (Steven Calhoun/Advertiser)

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United inin service United service and anddevotion devotiontoto our ourcommunity. community.

Congratulations to Abigail Porter, Congratulations to Abigail Porter, winner of the Shelby Baptist Medical winner of the Shelby Baptist Medical Center Future Leaders Scholarship Center Future Leaders Scholarship presented at the 2016 Peach Pageant. presented at the 2016 Peach Pageant.

Thank you, Abigail for being a caring Thank you, Abigail for being a caring ambassador for our ambassador forcommunity. our community.

BROOKWOODBAPTISTHEALTH.COM BROOKWOODBAPTISTHEALTH.COM

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TIPS TO GET KIDS mo re

d e t i c x e about eating right C

hildhood obesity is reaching record heights across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 41 million children were obese or overweight as of 2014.

Obesity is an all-too-familiar problem for parents, many of whom are aware of the long-term threat that childhood obesity poses to their sons and daughters. According to Let’s Move!, an initiative launched by First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama that’s dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity, obese kids are more likely to become obese as adults than youngsters who maintain healthy weights throughout their childhoods. In addition, obese children may be at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Combatting obesity can start in the kitchen, where parents can set a positive example by making sure the whole family eats healthy.

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Parents know that encouraging youngsters to forgo fatty foods in favor of healthier fare is not always so easy. But the following tips can help get kids excited about eating healthy, which can help them maintain healthy weights and lower their risk of various ailments. u Invite kids into the kitchen. Kids might be more excited about healthy foods when they play a role in preparing the meals they eat. People who cook often cite the pride they feel when they cook meals that they and their families or guests enjoy. Kids feel the same sense of pride and accomplishment when preparing meals, and that pride may increase the likelihood that they will eat the entire meal, including vegetables and other healthy foods, without complaint. u Reinvent foods kids don’t like. Rare is the child who embraces vegetables. But parents can experiment with vegetables in ways that might make them more attractive to youngsters. For example, rather than serving carrots without sauce or seasoning, serve them with a bowl of hummus that kids can dip their carrots into to add some flavor. Available in various flavors, hummus is a healthy dip

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that’s high in protein and various vitamins and minerals. Hummus can be high in fat, but that should not discourage parents too much, as much of the fat found in hummus is unsaturated fat that won’t negatively affect kids’ hearts. If hummus does not do the trick, parents can look for other healthy dips, such as those with a Greek yogurt base, that can add flavor to veggies without compromising their nutritional value. u Solicit kids’ input regarding the menu. Much like kids might be more excited about eating meals they prepare, they may also be more likely to embrace healthy diets when their parents solicit their input regarding the weekly meal menu. If kids ask for unhealthy fare like hamburgers or macaroni and cheese, compromise by preparing healthier alternatives, such turkey burgers or whole grain pasta with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Explain your reasons for preparing healthier alternatives. In addition, don’t be afraid to veer off course every so often and let kids choose a meal that’s not as nutritious as you would like. Straying from healthy fare is only problematic if it becomes routine. But periodic indulgences in pizza and other less nutritional fare should not affect kids’ long-term health. u Make experimenting fun. Parents who love trying new things in the kitchen or when dining out can encourage the same spirit of experimentation in their children. Kids who are focused and enthusiastic about trying new foods may not think twice about how the new foods they’re trying are healthy. Make experimenting with new foods a family affair by alternating who gets to choose the restaurant when ordering takeout or the type of cuisine to cook on nights when the family experiments in the kitchen. Once the choice has been made, choose healthy items and share dishes so kids can try various healthy foods in a single meal.

More information about kids and healthy eating can be found at LetsMove.org.■

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Dr. Andreia Williams White Dr. Andreia Williams White

205-938-9348 205-938-9348

205-277-2358 205-277-2358

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

5

QUICK BITES low-calorie snacks

that stray from the norm 32 Wellness

Snacking may not seem like part of a healthy diet, but the right snacks can help men and women fight midday hunger without contributing to unwanted weight gain. The fol-

1. Popcorn

Popcorn is low in calories and a good source of dietary fiber. Popcorn also is high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been linked to reductions in heart disease and certain cancers.

Air-popped popcorn that is prepared without any oil is your best option, as a cup of such popcorn may only add up to about 30 calories.

Avoid adding salt or butter or purchasing premade popcorn that is heavy on both, as both ingredients can compromise the health benefits of popcorn.

lowing low-calorie snacks won’t compromise adults’ efforts to maintain healthy weights, and they might prove useful as men and women look for that extra boost during the day.

2. Nonfat Greek yogurt

Though it’s not as low in calories as popcorn, nonfat Greek yogurt is still a low-calorie snack that’s high in protein. Nonfat Greek yogurt may have as much as two times the amount of protein as traditional yogurts, and that’s beneficial because protein helps you feel full longer, which should help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid overeating.

Nonfat Greek yogurt also tends to have less sugar than traditional yogurts, and its creamy texture gives many people the impression that they are eating something decadent.

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3. Hummus Made primarily from ground chickpeas, hummus is a protein- and fiber-rich snack that has been linked to a host of health benefits, including a reduced risk for heart disease and certain types of cancers. Dip vegetables such as baby carrots into hummus, and you’ll have a low-calorie snack that’s also high in vitamin A and beta carotene.

4. Pistachios Many people might read the labels of pistachios and be turned off by the fat content. But pistachios are low in saturated fat and high in protein, and a couple dozen pistachios may only amount to about 95 calories. Eat pistachios raw and do not add salt, which can negate their health benefits.

5 Grapes Grapes might not be as popular as potato chips or other widely available snacks, but they are great sources of vitamin K and are loaded with antioxidants. Grapes are loaded with water, making them a filling snack that can help men and women avoid dehydration. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, one cup of grapes can provide as much as 5 percent of the recommended daily value of dietary fiber despite containing just over 100 calories. â–

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