Memorial Day is not only a federal holiday in the United States, but it is a day of observance and remembrance of those who died in service. Originally known as Decoration Day, this solemn day has been marked on calendars since the end of the American Civil War as a day to commemorate both the Confederate and Union soldiers who fought and died in the war.
Marking the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, or other tokens has been practiced throughout history, but it wasn’t until the mark of the end of the Civil War that a special day was decided upon as the one to spend in remembrance. By 1890, every state in the country was observing Decoration Day, but it wasn’t until 1967 when the name formally changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, in order to encompass all fallen American soldiers in all wars and conflicts, and in June of 1968, Congress moved the official date of Memorial Day to the last Monday in May in order to create a three day weekend.
Today, while there is certainly an air of remembrance on Memorial Day, it has become more a day of spending time with family, friends, and other loved ones. This day is also heralded as the start of summer, with many schools finishing for the year around this time. Our team at Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics remembers it as a day to take solace and remembered those lost.
Traditional observances of Memorial Day are still held, and they often involve raising the American Flag then lowering it to a half-staff position until noon, and then raising it once again to its full height afterwards. The flag is lowered to remember those who’ve lost their lives while in service to their country, and then it is raised to signify our willingness to not let their sacrifice be in vain.
From community parades, backyard cook-outs, and fireworks to formal ceremonies, Memorial Day is commemorated in many different ways. No matter how you choose to spend this day, take a moment to remember those who’ve lost their lives in an effort to preserve our freedom.
5/22/14
5/1/14
May Marks National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!
Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? After all, there isn’t a better time to celebrate physical activity as when the warm weather and sunshine makes its way back into our lives!
Now that the flowers are in bloom and the weather has warmed up, it’s easier to go outside and soak up the sun. After spending the winter working out in gyms or doing crunches at home, exercising outdoors can be a lot more enjoyable as well. Whether you enjoy hikes, jogging, or biking, spring gives us a chance to smell the grass, take in the rays, and enjoy the blue sky—all senses that we just can’t duplicate at the gym.
If jogging or biking isn’t your cup of tea, we encourage you to try a sport! Sports have some amazing qualities that we often overlook. Team sports like baseball and soccer, and individual sports like golf and tennis can improve your coordination and agility, in addition to building determination, confidence, drive, hard-work, pride, leadership, and time management.
At Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouthguard or other form of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about obtaining a mouthguard, please give us a call at 714-990-5414.
Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - www.breasmiles.com - 714-990-5414
Now that the flowers are in bloom and the weather has warmed up, it’s easier to go outside and soak up the sun. After spending the winter working out in gyms or doing crunches at home, exercising outdoors can be a lot more enjoyable as well. Whether you enjoy hikes, jogging, or biking, spring gives us a chance to smell the grass, take in the rays, and enjoy the blue sky—all senses that we just can’t duplicate at the gym.
If jogging or biking isn’t your cup of tea, we encourage you to try a sport! Sports have some amazing qualities that we often overlook. Team sports like baseball and soccer, and individual sports like golf and tennis can improve your coordination and agility, in addition to building determination, confidence, drive, hard-work, pride, leadership, and time management.
At Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouthguard or other form of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about obtaining a mouthguard, please give us a call at 714-990-5414.
Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - www.breasmiles.com - 714-990-5414
2/4/14
Cavities FAQ
Most
of us have had at least one. Some of us have quite a few. So what makes
cavities so persistent, keeping more children out of school than any
other disease? Usually, the answer is simple: not enough brushing your
teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist. Snacking on sweets and
slurping sodas doesn't help either. But rather than feel guilty, get
informed.
A: Good question! Most
people think tooth decay and tooth cavity are the same thing. But
they're not. Tooth decay refers to a gradual process during which
bacteria in the mouth produce acids that destroy the surfaces of teeth.
Over time, tooth decay can erode enamel to the point that a hole, or
cavity, forms.
Q: How do I know if I have cavities?
A: Cavities are one of
the first things your dentist looks for during a regular dental exam.
X-rays allow your dentist to diagnose whether you have dental cavities
and how extensive they are. Sometimes a tooth cavity is visible to the
naked eye; if you see black holes in your teeth, those could be signs.
Another cavity red flag is a toothache or sensitivity to hot or cold
food and drinks.
Q: How do dentists treat dental cavities?
A: Treatment depends on
the size of the cavity and the degree of damage. Although many dental
cavities are treated with fillings, onlays may be necessary to treat
large cavities affecting the cusps of teeth, while cavities affecting
the areas in between the cusps may be treated with inlays. In some
cases, dental crowns are used to protect a tooth from further tooth
cavity damage. Dental sealants are often applied to children's teeth as a
preventative measure against cavities.
Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - 714.990.5414
www.breasmiles.com / www.facebook.com/breasmiles
1/28/14
How to Get A Good Night's Sleep
Long an afterthought in the public health community, the importance of sleep is rapidly gaining recognition as a key driver of wellbeing. Lack of sleep is now associated with a host of hazards and maladies including reckless driving and chronic illness.
Here are some tips to ensure you get the proper amount of rest you need to maintain good health:
1. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
2. Avoid caffeine and nicotine after noon.
3. Avoid large meals and alcohol right before bedtime.
4. Relax before bed with a book or with music. No electronic screens!
5. Exercise is great, but no later than two to three hours before bed.
6. Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing environment, and is neither too hot nor too cold.
7. Don’t lie in bed awake longer than 20 minutes. The anxiety of being awake can make it harder to fall asleep. Instead, get up and do a relaxing activity until you get tired.
Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - 714.990.5414
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