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Let’s face it. 2020 was a tough year that created anxiety surrounding our health. With a new year ahead of us, we called on several local doctors to share their expertise on how to stay healthy and to promote positive habits within your family. You’ll find helpful advice about mental health, nutrition, good hygiene, and more from these experienced professionals. Here’s to a new year, and a fresh start!
Dr. Jonathan Frankel
Frankel & Puhl Dentistry
5012 Talmadge Road, Suite 100
419-474-9611
jonfrankeldentistry.com
What are some early mistakes that patients make in regards to their dental health that may come back to haunt them later?
Children are like sponges. They absorb everything they hear. Often parents are unaware of what their children have heard about unfavorable dental experiences. It may initiate a lifelong fear and subsequent dental health issues. An early pleasant visit to the dentist can be life changing. We participated in a video about the first dental visit. It is a great way to initiate kids to a healthy smile. Check it out on YouTube (“A Child’s Visit to the Dentist: An Educational Video for Kids”).
If families added one new habit regarding their health in the new year, what would you suggest they do?
Children love interactive electric toothbrushes. If that is not possible, play a toothbrushing video while they brush. Brushing after eating, flossing once a day and brushing before going to sleep at night will keep teeth and gums healthy.
What sets your practice apart?
There several things that set Frankel Dentistry apart from the rest. It’s more than the convenient hours and locations or the advanced systems and technology. It is the people. We have the best doctors, healthcare providers, staff, and patients.
What aspect of daily dental care is most often overlooked by patients?
Brushing and flossing!
Bryan D. Royer, DC, DACNB, CCSP
Harmony Chiropractic Center, Inc.
5800 Monroe St., Ste. A11
Sylvania
419-517-5055
besttoledochiropractor.com
What part of your practice brings you the most joy?
Having a specialization in functional neurology means that I have different training than other chiropractors in the area, so I see different cases than the norm. It is a special feeling when a child who had been diagnosed with severe ADHD, ODD and a sensory processing disorder and who was constantly in trouble— even suspended— as a kindergartener, gets treated over the summer, then makes such a turnaround that they are given a school award for showing respect to others. Or helping a child with sensory processing issues and anxiety who was disabled by the sound of a vacuum cleaner be able to overcome her challenges, like riding a roller coaster at Disney without having a meltdown. It is hard to top those kinds of days.
What are some early mistakes that patients make in regards to their health that may come back to haunt them later?
One thing that I wish more parents did was teach their kids how to cook. It builds an important life skill, but it can also be a fun way to teach math, science and creativity while parents are spending quality time with their kids. It is a way of teaching them to be adventurous in eating, eat a rainbow of colors and build a habit of healthy eating. They don’t need to become a sous chef, but regularly cooking at home has been shown to lead to happier and healthier people who consume less sugar and processed food.
Which often overlooked aspect of living a healthy lifestyle should be added to everyone’s routine? Why?
Posture and movement are two key issues regarding your health, regardless of your age. Poor posture at any age will cause pain in the long term and can be a reason why your daughter has headaches at 12-years-old. Movement is the key to the nervous system developing appropriately because kids should crawl before they creep and cruise before they walk, while movement is also the key to lubricate your joints and your mind as an adult of any age.
Sarah Hansen, DMD MDS
HLS Orthodontics
Toledo, Sylvania, Maumee, and Lambertville locations
419-740-0963
perfectbraces.com
What’s something you wish people knew about their health in regard to your specialty?
Children should be seen for their first orthodontic appointment when the permanent teeth begin to erupt, usually around age seven. Typically, we can determine if there will be any issues with tooth eruption or skeletal growth early, which prevents the need for more complex treatment later on.
If kids made one change regarding their teeth in the new year, what would you suggest they do?
I would suggest cutting back on drinking sugary drinks and starting to rinse with water more often. It is easy to overlook how much sugar can be in juice and sports drinks, and, while we need some sugar to replenish energy, sipping on sugary drinks for extended periods of time during the day leaves a sugary film on your teeth longer, putting you more at risk for getting cavities.
What are some early mistakes that patients make in regards to their dental health that may come back to haunt them later?
A common early mistake is neglecting baby teeth. Even though they’ll fall out at some point, they work as space holders in the mouth. Often when baby teeth aren’t cleaned properly, and they are removed at a young age, teeth from the back can shift forward, leaving no room for the permanent teeth that are supposed to replace them. This can make later orthodontic treatment longer and more difficult.
Nicholas Goin DC, CACCP
Innate Health Chiropractic
26580 N. Dixie Hwy. Suite 101, Perrysburg
(419) 872-2255
getinnatehealth.com
What advice do you have for people who are beginning a new healthy lifestyle?
My best advice is to start with addition, not subtraction. Start by adding something healthy into your lifestyle rather than taking something away. You will be more successful with the change and feel more empowered to sustain it.
How can parents instill healthy habits in their children from a young age?
Lead by example and educate. Children often imitate what they see around them. When they understand why they are making certain decisions, it will become who they are. Make it fun!
What’s the biggest mistake you see people making when it comes to their health?
The biggest mistake I see people make with their health is their mindset. Most people have a reactive mindset to their health rather than a proactive. It’s better to stay healthy than fight disease. Start being proactive today by eating more organic whole foods, moving your body at least 30 minutes and practicing an attitude of gratitude.
Michael Coulter, PT, Cert. MDT, CEES, CIDN
PT Link Physical Therapy
4210 W. Sylvania Ave., Ste. 102
419-559-5591
ptlinktherapy.com
What’s something you wish people knew about their health in regards to your specialty? It is very simple: keep moving. It really is that simple. Stretch, walk, ride a bike…heck, even just doing laps around the living room will do wonders for you!
How can parents instill healthy habits in their children from a young age?
Lead by example and take family walks to explore the neighborhood or a park. Toledo has an amazing Metropark system with great trails to create an adventure.
What’s the biggest mistake you see people making when it comes to their health?
Waiting too long to take it seriously. At PT Link Physical Therapy, we say way too often “If you just would have come in last month, we could have progressed so much quicker.”
Philip Sprague, D.D.S.
Sylvania Pediatric Dental Care
5860 W Alexis Rd, Sylvania
419.882.7187
sylvaniapediatricdentalcare.com
How can parents instill healthy habits in their children from a young age?
Start simple. Have a young child brush their teeth first, and then the parent gets to check and brush second. Also, involve children in the development of good dietary choices. Offer children a choice between two healthy snacks. The parent will be happy with either choice and, at the same time, the children begin to develop a sense of independence that helps them to establish ownership of these habits.
What is your favorite part of working in pediatric dentistry?
It’s all about the kids. They can be so much fun. Having a simple conversation with them during their appointments can really make my day. They tell the best stories and often say really funny things.
What’s the biggest mistake you see people making when it comes to their health?
There is a lot of disinformation online. People sometimes make decisions based on what is found on the web instead of from the information we provide during their visits with us.
What tips do you have for a happy, healthy 2021?
2020 has definitely been a trying year for all of us. I try to keep a good outlook on the future, follow the science, enjoy the time spent with my family, and wait for things to get better. Brushing and flossing help, too.
Krista McCulloch, mental health therapist and social worker
Anchored in Hope Counseling
1627 Henthorne Dr. Suite C, Maumee
419.491.0420
Anchoredinhopecounseling.org
Name four things that people should do every day to stay healthy.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout your day.
- Have down time/self care time. Schedule breaks throughout your day to mediate/pray/listen to music, etcetera.
- Start your day out with a positive affirmation or a goal that you know you can achieve to help promote confidence and positivity
- Acknowledge your purpose and what you did well that day at the end of each day
How do you help someone seeking health and wellness improvement?
I look at healing as multi-faceted. People often think about wellness in relation to just physical health, but wellness is a holistic integration of mental, physical, and spiritual health. We need to take care of our body, engage our mind, and nurture our spirit to achieve wellness. As a social worker, I am taught to look to all aspects of someone’s life and environment and how these different areas can impact someone’s mental health symptoms.
Do you believe in “cheat” days?
YES, most definitely! Everyone should recognize their limits and learn to listen to their body when they need a break. When we feel overstretched, a good practice is to ask what our priorities are. It’s important to identify what is making it hard to slow down and find a balance. Often the feeling of needing to push through is based on being in an unhealthy survival mode.
What’s the best life lesson that you learned last year?
It’s possible to thrive outside of my comfort zone. This year has been full of unknowns and change. That change has forced me to mature in areas I wasn’t previously investing. There is growth in the challenge.
What’s the best way to support a friend or loved one who is struggling with their health?
Be present without judgement. Listen and offer to be there in the uncomfortable. Tell them, and yourself, “I’m here for the anger, the sadness, the tears–all of it.”
Erin Knierim, DMD, MS
3036 West Sylvania, Toledo
419-474-0733
drknierim.com
What’s something you wish people knew about their health in regards to your specialty?
A pediatric dentist is more than a dentist who loves kids; we have a minimum of 2 additional years of specialized training where we learn to treat the unique needs of your growing child. We love hanging out with kids all day (and their parents, too) and have limited our practices to only them. Kids should start seeing us by their first birthday!
If people could add a new habit regarding their health in the new year, what would you suggest they do?
Floss and drink more water. Flossing is an area most parents tell me they struggle with making a part of their routine. Make water your “go to” drink and save the juices and sports drinks for special occasions. Your teeth will thank you for both of these habits!
What sets your practice apart?
Toledo is a great town with many highly qualified providers to treat your child. My practice is small, which allows us to get to know our families well, and for you to get to know us. Patients can expect to see the same smiling faces at their visits, which can help them feel comfortable in the dental environment.
What’s the biggest mistake you see people making when it comes to their teeth?
I frequently get asked, “Why should I fix this tooth if it’s going to fall out anyway?” Yes, baby teeth will eventually fall out, but they are present for longer than many people realize. The average age children lose their first tooth is around 6 years old; molar teeth are present up until age 10 and well beyond for many kids.
What tips do you have for a happy, healthy 2020?
As parents we are always busy taking care of our kids and many others, so make sure to treat your own health as a priority, too. It’s easier to be a great parent when you are feeling happy and healthy!
Sarah Hawley
Lynn Cherry
Lynn Casto 
Jenn Schoepf
Dr. Romulus Durant
