FLOSSING CAN BE FUN

Let’s be honest. How many of us assume that maintaining good oral health entails brushing two or three times a day followed by a swig of Listerine?

I am not trying to chew you out, but you simply cannot brush off flossing as insignificant. Fact is food particles become lodged between our teeth after each meal. Flossing is the only way to remove these particles. Unfortunately, many of us come up with every excuse imaginable to avoid flossing. Some say it hurts, others say they do not have enough time to floss, and some do not like putting their fingers inside their mouth.

Well, one of Lake County’s bright, young dentists, Dr. Tim Pruett, has invented a marvelous device that takes the hassle out of flossing. His creation, Flossolution, uses sonic energy that effortlessly glides floss between the teeth, and it also has special “guard” that protects the teeth and gums from becoming injured.

Although he originally created the product to make flossing easier for his dental patients, he now realizes Flossolution can make a positive impact on the oral health of countless people throughout the country. With any luck, Dr. Pruett will have the dental world on a string. Since April is National Oral Health Month, I urge you to read about his invention in this month’s issue and I hope you strongly consider flossing on a daily basis. After all, who wants to deal with cavities and gingivitis down the road?

Our April issue is also highlighting another Lake County resident who is equally inspirational when it comes to health. Traci Oliver of Fruitland Park has spent her entire adult life battling obesity. After numerous failed attempts to land a spot on the television show The Biggest Loser and having no success with fad diets, Traci has come to the realization that the proper way to lose weight is through nutrition and exercise. It has taken her only ten weeks to go from 298 pounds to 265 pounds.

For Traci, embarking on a lifestyle change was critically important because weight not only affected her physical health but also her emotional health. Traci is living proof that losing weight is never an insurmountable goal. It simply takes effort, dedication, and hard work. Our readers will easily relate to Traci’s past struggles, and I think she will ultimately become a source of inspiration for others to begin their own weight-loss journey. Keep up the excellent work, Traci! We are extremely proud of you!

Here’s to health, hope, and happiness in the month of April. As always, I encourage your feedback and story ideas.

Thanks and God bless.

KENDRA AKERS publisher kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN

JIM GIBSON executive editor jim@akersmediagroup.com

TIFFANY ROACH managing editor tiffany@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

SHEMIR WILES copy editor/writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com contributing writers TABATHA ARCARO-ORTIZ

STEVEN J. CODRARO associate creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com

CIERRA CHAPPELL production manager cierra@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com

ANTHONY CASTO senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com

TINA MORRISON production director tina@akersmediagroup.com

RICK BOSSHARDT

CHRIS BRIDGES

TRACY BROSMAN

TRACY DRAPER

MARY EDWARDS

FRED HILTON STEPHANIE VERAGHEN

HEATHER TOOTLE office manager heather@akersmediagroup.com

CALEB WAYNE JENSEN graphic designer caleb@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com contributing photographer MORGAN ELLIS ANDREW GRUNTHER

SALES // MARKETING

TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com

MIKE STEGALL senior marketing representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

HEIDI RESSLER marketing representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers publisher

Comments or questions for our publisher? Please email kendra@akersmediagroup.com. Our goal is to provide you with the best quality publication, so your feedback is vital.