EXPAND YOUR FAMILY’S HORIZONS BY OPENING YOUR HOME TO AN EXCHANGE STUDENT
YOUR WHOLE BODY WILL THANK YOU START FLOSSING IN THE NEW YEAR The human mouth plays host to billions of bacteria, and when you opt not to floss your teeth, every last one of them is thrilled. These bacteria are most excited if you eat simple carbs — think bread, pasta, cereal, and anything sweet or sticky — and leave little chunks of food between your teeth for them to feast on. More food for bacteria means that they’ll do what bacteria do — form plaques on your teeth, reproduce, and generate acids they then drop on your teeth and gums. The greater the size of a bacterial colony, the worse things get for your oral health. But the adverse health effects of not flossing impact the entire body. When your body detects the bacterial infection in your mouth, it activates the immune system and begins the inflammation process, meaning the immune cells that normally would be available to fight other infections are busy waging a war on the bacteria in your mouth. As if a weakened immune system wasn’t bad enough, multiple studies have linked oral bacteria entering the bloodstream to serious illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Flossing is serious business, and not doing it can have life-altering effects beyond just preventing that next cavity. If you aren’t already in the habit of regularly flossing, starting up a routine can be hard at first. Your gums may feel sore and bleed, but it will get easier and less painful with time. If you simply can’t get yourself to start flossing the old-fashioned way, try a tool like GumChucks or a Waterpik Power Flosser. In addition to having an amazing name, GumChucks offer improved dexterity and control. They also eliminate the need to put your fingers in your mouth. Waterpik Power Flossers, while not offering a full replacement for flossing, can be useful as a way to clean out anything you may have loosened up while flossing the old fashioned way, and the novelty of using one might offer you just the fresh slate you need to start forming your new habit.
Hosting an exchange student in your home may not be something you’ve considered before, but there are many reasons why adding an international member to your family is great for everyone involved.
DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING
One of the most valuable traits we can learn is to be understanding of others. Learning about other countries and cultures offers an opportunity to be more receptive to the idea that, no matter how far apart people live or how much the languages we speak differ, at our core, we have a lot in common. Navigating life with this open mindset has far-reaching value your entire family will benefit from.
CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIP
Welcoming a new member into your home paves the way for new friendships to blossom. Even though the duration may often feel short, the friendships developed during an exchange are strong, and it’s not uncommon for host families and students to keep in touch for years after they’ve parted ways. Having friends in different parts of the world is also convenient when it comes to travel — you might get lucky enough to have a nice place to stay when you’re in their neck of the woods!
BROADEN HORIZONS
It’s not just your family who will reap the benefits of opening your home to an exchange student; the student has much to gain as well. They’ll immerse themselves in your culture and get to see how your community lives harmoniously together. You’ll play an important role in showing them what life is like in your backyard while gleaning important perspectives on what life is like in theirs.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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