10 Confessions of your Dentist:

Now a year into my new practice, I realize that most of my patients are still getting to know me. I thought I would breakdown some barriers and confess a few of my work and real life idiosyncrasies !

1. I held my kids down to brush their teeth when they were little.

YUP, I DID... and I am not upset about it. Frankly, at times I wish I could have been as successful in teaching them to clean their rooms as I was at getting them to brush twice a day!

2. I always forget I am in the middle of laundry.....and then have to re-do it :(

   I really loathe laundry. So much, that I often forget I am in the middle of a wash cycle. The truth is, I don't dislike laundry so much as I dislike FOLDING the laundry.

3. I put plain greek yogurt in my rice - It's a greeky greek thing.

   Don't knock it before you try it! I am 100% Greek. I married an Irish guy, so hence the last name. My family is from a small village about a a 2 hour drive from Athens. Fun fact: of my father and his four siblings, my dad is the only natural US citizen. The four older siblings came through Ellis Island with my Grandmother about 5 years after my Grandfather emigrated to the US.

4. I grind my teeth - like REAL bad

   I have worn a bite splint every night since I was 24! In dental school I started noticing tooth sensitivity and my eye teeth were wearing down. The bite splint (worn at night) successfully helped slow down damage to my teeth and TMJs! So for all those patients who we talk about bite splints with - know that I speak from experience.

5. I snack while I cook dinner

   I know for a fact that my dietician friend is rolling her eyes at me. But when I get home I am sooo hungry! I wish I could say I snack on healthy things, but usually they are crackers or chips. Tortilla chips are my favorite!

6. I have dry mouth!

    I am on a medication that gives me the dreaded "dry mouth." I stay hydrated as best I can, and minimize between meal snacks and drinks unless I brush. I also use a high fluoride toothpaste in the morning and a Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste in the evening.

7. My 11 year old beats me in "Mario Party" Every.single.time!

   I really don't know how he does it... he manages to steal all my stars at the end of the game. I can school him in Mario Kart and JUST DANCE though! I am by no means a gamer - but my younger brother is a computer programmer and has loved gaming since we got our first 8bit Nintendo in 1988! He has even made his own game for iPhone and Android with his wife who is a graphic designer. It is no longer supported, but it ran like a game of simon but with different animals/noises.

8. I exercise for stress relief

   Physical activity became a necessity for me while I was in dental school. The anxiety of school was causing me to be so overly focused on only school that I started to lose track of life. Body movement of any kind (yoga, figure skating, running, walking, lifting weights, bike riding, hiking) helps my brain hormones stay balanced and me happy.

   

9. I have a black thumb - I can barely keep cacti alive...

   All the plants at the office are kept alive by Marlena and Lisa.

10. I think "The Ring" is the scariest movie ever. End of discussion.

    
    
    
    
    
    

    I hope this has given you a small insight into me as a person and maybe you have similar "confessions." I feel very strongly that patients should know their provider, this builds trust and helps all of us have more fun when in the dental office. See you all soon!

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