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The Fourth of July is a great time to get together with friends and family members for BBQ, games, fireworks, and other celebrations in honor of our country’s independence. While your fellow revelers eat hot dogs and wave flags, you can impress them by sharing these fascinating facts and historical tidbits about some of our country’s traditions and symbols from the team at Dyras Dental.

The Statue of Liberty

With a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of our country. However, as recognizable as certain parts of the statue are, not many people know that broken shackles, which represent oppression and tyranny, are lying at Lady Liberty’s feet. According to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the copper-plated lady weighs in at a whopping 450,000 tons and has been holding her torch up for more than 125 years, which must make for some impressive arm muscles.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Since 1916, people have been flocking to Coney Island on the Fourth of July to witness what some people call the “superbowl of competitive eating.” Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest challenges competitors to devour as many hot dogs as they can in just ten minutes, with the current record holder swallowing a whopping 68 hot dogs! If you’d like to witness this bizarre and frenzied eating competition but you won’t be anywhere near Coney Island on the fourth, don’t worry. ESPN has been broadcasting this popular event for several years, so you can watch from the comfort of your couch while you eat a reasonably portioned meal.

The History Behind Fireworks

Viewing the nighttime fireworks display is exciting way to finish off the fourth. Many people know that these brilliant displays probably originated with the Chinese. However, many historians also believe that fireworks were stumbled upon when the Chinese roasted bamboo sticks over fires and watched them explode. After many years of roasting the sticks, a group of alchemists created an early form of gunpowder, which they stuffed into the bamboo sticks to create an even more powerful explosion, paving the way for the today’s modern fireworks.

Whether you’re planning on visiting the Statue of Liberty, watching fireworks in Lansing, or even participating in a hot dog eating contest, Dr. Laura Dyras and Dr. Michael Hutcheson and our team hope you have a safe and fun-filled holiday. Happy Fourth of July!

Greetings from Dyras Dental! We hope all our patients are continuing to stay healthy and safe. If you didn't know yet, we officially opened back up on June 1. Call us today to schedule your next appointment!

Since reopening our doors, we do have a few new implementations to be aware of before your next appointment with us. Before you arrive please fill out any necessary paperwork, it’s all available over on the website. Upon arrival, patients will need to call the office to check-in. When we are ready for them, we will call them back to come inside. They will be met at the door by an assistant, have their temperature taken, and asked Covid-19 screening questions. So far, the office reopening and new implementations are both going very well! All staff are wearing more PPE and we are continuing our history of being vigilant in sterilization and infection controls. We appreciate everyone's cooperation at this time.

Did you know June is National Smile Month? That makes it a great time to review your dental care routine. We recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth with floss daily. See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease. We educate our patients using visual tools such as videos, models to show proper technique and warn them about the consequences of not brushing or flossing.

A healthy diet also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy smile. Eat a balanced diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks. Some foods we suggest eating are crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, carrots, and cucumbers. These fruits and veggies help produce saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles!

The entire team of Dyras Dental is excited to be back at work and to see all our awesome patients again! We hope to see you soon.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff - we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends