Check out our March newsletter!
FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM
MARCH 2025
The World’s Greatest Gathering of Music, Guitars, and Legends NAMM 2025
You know that feeling when you step into a place and realize you’ve just entered paradise? That was me at the NAMM Convention in January — the National Association of Music Merchants. If you’ve never heard of it, imagine a giant, world- famous gathering where anything and everything related to music is on display. Guitars, sound equipment, musician gear, social media management tools for artists — you name it, it was there. And I was lucky enough to experience it all firsthand. However, if I’m being honest, my main reason for going was guitars — all the guitars! It was like being a kid in a candy store, but instead of candy, it was wall-to-wall displays of every shape, size, and finish imaginable. My brother- in-law, who works for a company that sells dance floors, got me a ticket through his job, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. He’d gone the previous year and raved about it, so I jumped at the chance to see it for myself. The moment I stepped into the convention, the magic hit me. It felt like there were millions of guitars — so many that I spent four hours wandering around and barely scratched
the surface. Every major guitar brand was there, showcasing their latest and greatest, plus tons of smaller, lesser-known companies displaying their unique designs. One of the coolest things I saw was aYamaha acoustic guitar with built-in effects. It wasn’t plugged into anything — no amp — just the guitar itself. It could loop what I played and even allowed me to jam over my own chords. It even had built-in reverb and distortion. Basically, it was a solo musician’s dream! I had never seen anything like it before, and I couldn’t stop playing around with it. Other than guitars, the entire experience was just as incredible. Even though I don’t play saxophone, the rows upon rows of them mesmerized me. I kept stumbling upon things I didn’t even know existed: high-tech drum kits, futuristic synths, and insane pedal setups. I had the time of my life. The best part was the people. NAMM is a hotspot for famous musicians, producers, and industry insiders. I ran into so many of my favorite guitarists — guys whose music I’ve listened to for years. At one point, I was watching Jason Richardson from All That Remains tear it up on a stage when I turned around, and — boom — Tim Henson from Polyphia was standing right next to me! Talk about a lucky moment. I happened to be wearing a Polyphia hat (because, of course, I was), and we struck up a quick conversation. I jokingly asked if he was getting the itch to hop on stage, and he laughed, saying he’d leave that to Jason. Naturally, I took the chance to grab a selfie with him.You don’t get to meet your heroes every day, so that moment was definitely neat for me.
I met plenty of other incredible guitarists, plus a ton of industry pros I probably should have recognized but didn’t. I’d see someone with a crazy outfit and think, “That person has got to be famous.” Then, with a quick glance at their badge and a Google search later, sure enough, they were a producer for a huge artist or a session musician for a major band. As much fun as it was to geek out over guitars and meet my idols, I did get something practical out of the trip. I ended up getting myself a set of custom in-ear monitors for my local gigs — way better than the generic ones I’d been using. Looking back, I’d say luck was definitely on my side: I got a free ticket, spent time with family in Los Angeles, and ran into some of my all-time favorite musicians. NAMM was everything I hoped it would be and more. If you’re a music lover, especially a guitar fanatic, it’s something you have to experience at least once. Just be prepared to feel like a kid at Disneyland … except the rides are guitars, and the characters are your rock star heroes. –Dr. Elkins
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10 Minutes of Massage Can Reset Your Day KNEAD A BREAK?
Feeling tense? Life’s twists and turns can cause your stress levels to skyrocket, leading to various health problems. But relief may be easier and quicker than you think. According to recent studies, just 10 minutes of massage can work wonders on your mood, activating your body’s system for overcoming stress. A quick massage is like hitting the reset button on your day, turning your anxiety into a sense of balance and calm. Let’s explore how you can transform tension into tranquility in just 10 minutes. Unknot and Unwind A short massage prompts your body to slow down.Your body responds strongly to touch, and the kneading motion of massages helps release tension. When stressed, our bodies naturally tense up, which can cause pain and discomfort. Massage can increase the elasticity of tissues, warm your muscles,
and work to relax the nerves associated with stress. When your muscles and joints are at ease, your body produces feel-good hormones like serotonin. Dreamy Kneads When you can’t catch enough z’s, it significantly impacts your stress levels. Massages encourage deeper sleep by helping increase serotonin and melatonin, the sleep hormone. Direct pressure on muscles increases the production of comfy hormones and reduces cortisol, the hormone responsible for anxiety. A quick rub down before bed can ease you into a calm state, coaxing you to drift off to dreamland. 10 Minutes to Bliss If you want to experience the stress-melting benefits of a short massage, you don’t need
to book an appointment with a professional. You can give yourself several massages, like a shoulder massage, using circular motions on each side. If you’re facing a stress headache, glide your hands across your forehead, applying a small amount of pressure. Start at your ears and massage each side of your head with your fingertips. Do this several times and finish with a scalp massage. So, the next time you feel anxious, get comfortable and take a few minutes for a massage. These small moments of relaxation can roll you into the day more calm and balanced.
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee Seal the Deal on Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems, but did you know about a simple and effective way to prevent it? Dental sealants can protect against cavities, especially for children who may struggle to brush their teeth thoroughly. What are dental sealants? Sealants are protective coatings applied to the surfaces of molars and premolars used for chewing. These back teeth have deep crevices where food particles and bacteria can get trapped — perfect spots for cavities. The sealant acts as a barrier and prevents plaque and bacteria from getting into those hidden areas. How do sealants work? Applying sealants is fast and painless and takes just a few minutes per tooth. We will: • Clean and dry the tooth. • Apply a special gel to roughen the surface so the sealant can adhere properly. • Rinse and dry the tooth again. • Paint on the liquid sealant, which quickly hardens while applying a curing light.
Who should get sealants? We commonly recommend sealants for children and teenagers when their permanent molars
come in, usually between the ages of 6 and 12. However, adults without cavities or fillings in their molars can also benefit from them. How long do sealants last? With proper care, sealants can last up to 10 years. However, they should be checked during regular dental visits to ensure they remain intact. If necessary, we can apply or touch up sealants to maintain their protective benefits.
Sealants are a cost-effective and painless way to protect teeth from decay. Combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, they can help maintain a healthy, cavity-free smile for years to come. If you or your child haven’t applied sealants yet, give us a call!
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
Once sealed, the tooth's surface becomes smooth, making it easier to keep clean with regular brushing and flossing.
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NOT YOUR MOM’S CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
Ingredients
• 1 (4 lb) corned beef
• 3 carrots, cut into large chunks • 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt • 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
brisket with spice packet
• 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered
Directions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve.
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
JOKES DAD
What March flowers grow on faces? Tulips
Why are frogs so happy? They eat whatever bugs them.
Can February March? No, but April May!
Tooth Facts Fun
When 32 Teeth Aren’t Enough The Curious Case of Hyperdontia
DID YOU KNOW?
The Les Paul’s Rocky Start
Some people are born with more than the normal 32 teeth. It’s true! It’s a condition known as hyperdontia. These extra teeth, called supernumerary teeth, can grow anywhere in the mouth, including in odd places like behind the front teeth or even on the roof of the mouth! Most Common Extra Teeth: The most frequently occurring extra teeth are called mesiodens, which typically appear between the two upper front teeth. More Common in Males: Studies suggest that men are nearly twice as likely to develop hyperdontia as women. Some Grow Upside Down: Extra teeth can sometimes grow in bizarre directions, including sideways or even upside down inside the gums. Not Everyone Needs Treatment: If the extra teeth don’t cause pain or crowding, they can sometimes just be left alone.
The Gibson Les Paul was originally considered a“flop”compared to the Fender Telecaster, which had already gained popularity as one of the first solid-body electric guitars. When the Gibson was released in 1952, it wasn’t very popular. Now, it’s one of the most iconic guitars ever made. The Les Paul’s design was originally seen as too heavy and cumbersome by many guitarists of the time. Its high price tag also made it less accessible to musicians. Today, vintage models from the late '50s sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars! This great guitar truly stood the test of time!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Free Tickets, Famous Musicians, and NAMM Magic A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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4. Rigging the Coin Toss
Unwind in No Time
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Tooth Facts
Did You Know?
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
Our Favorite Decision-Making Tool May Not Be as Fair as We Think WITH THE FLIP OF A COIN
“Movies or bowling?”“Pizza or burgers?” Long before Rock, Paper, Scissors and Magic 8 Balls helped us make major life decisions, people dating all the way back to the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages were flipping coins to make hard choices or gamble. Coin Toss Origins The Romans used coin tossing to settle personal disputes, calling it “heads or ships.” The coins depicted Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doorways and change, on one side and the prow of a ship on the other side. In the Middle Ages, they called coin tossing “cross and pile,”a game of chance among children. What we know as “heads”was the cross, and “tails”was the pile. The Purpose of Flipping a Coin In theory, when people need to make a decision between two equally viable options, and they can’t reach a decision, tossing a coin is usually the “fair”way to decide — or is it? A 2023 study by the University of Amsterdam sheds light on how the time-honored decision-making tool may not be as unbiased as we think. The ‘Randomness’ of a Coin Toss The study flipped more than 350,000 coins across 46 different currencies and found that a flipped coin returned to its starting position 50.8% of
the time. So, if a coin starts at tails, it will likely land on tails. This test was based on a 2004 theory that argued coin tosses land as they start 51% of the time. What’s more alarming is that a 2009 study revealed that coin tosses are easily manipulated. How is that possible if coin tosses are supposed to be random? The study showed that with a few minutes of practice, the tosses could be manipulated with sleight-of-hand to land in favor of whoever makes the toss. Choose Your Tossers Wisely While debate continues over the fairness of a coin toss, there’s not enough evidence to sway arguing siblings or the NFL to shy away from continuing the tradition. But if you ever find yourself in a coin toss situation with someone, it might be wise to choose a neutral party to flip the coin for you!
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