THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH GREAT FRIENDS How to Plan the Perfect Adventure Together
CHOOSETHE LOCATIONWISELY Keep in mind that not everyone can ski a double black diamond trail or construct a shelter from twigs. People are willing to try new things, but everyone has limits. Talk together about what everyone is looking for in this outdoor adventure, then choose a destination that makes sense. Some people might have to make compromises, but keep in mind that the real goal of the trip is to enjoy time with friends in the great outdoors. Keeping activities within a realm that the entire group is comfortable with will make things much more enjoyable for all. ESTABLISH ROLES Even if your friends have never been camping, skiing, or kayaking, it doesn’t mean they’re not capable of pitching in on trips that feature those activities. Try splitting up tasks according to what each person in the group is good at or eager to take on. You can also establish a rotating schedule so that no single person ends up doing the same tasks for the entire duration of the trip. It’s best to determine this information beforehand so that everyone feels and acts useful the moment the trip starts. This is a great way to avoid frustration and anger, which can creep into communal events of any kind.
Whether it’s camping, backpacking, or taking a daytrip to the lake, any outdoor adventure is made that much better by having a plan. Planning a solo trip may feel easy, but planning a trip with a group of your best friends can be a little trickier. It takes extra coordination to make sure nothing falls through the cracks and no one feels like they’d have been better off staying home. PLAN YOUR PLANNING With the trip on the horizon, it’s tempting to create a group text or chat and start tossing around ideas. Do your best to resist this impulse! Friends are fun, which means entertaining website links, silly YouTube videos, and mountains of emojis will make their way into the conversation, leaving any planning that might get done lost in the shuffle. Instead, get your planning done by using an app that is meant for it, like Roadtrippers. You can even utilize a program like Google Docs to keep everyone on the same page.
CleanWith Kalie
Busting 3 Common Dental Myths
brush too hard, you risk eroding the enamel that protects your teeth. It can also cause your gums to recede. Using a softer brush is beneficial, too. People often reach for a firmer-bristled toothbrush thinking it’s going to do a better job. We always recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because they prevent abrasion.The gentler you are when you brush, the better you’ll be to your teeth. Myth: If my gums bleed when I floss, I should probably leave them alone. Busted! When our gums bleed, it’s because of inflammation. Inflammation happens because bacteria and plaque accumulate between your teeth. If you stop flossing, you’re going to make the inflammation worse. Your gums will only get healthier if you regularly brush and floss. After about two weeks of a regular routine, you should start to see your gums healing up and looking healthier. If you have questions about any of these myths, please reach out! I’m always happy to answer your dental hygiene questions!
Like the most popular urban legends, myths about our teeth and how we keep them healthy and clean seem to get told again and
again until they become commonly held beliefs. So this month, I wanted to debunk some of the common myths around dental care and give you the inside scoop on how you can best take care of your oral health. Myth: Flossing is no longer necessary. Busted! A few patients have asked me about this, so I wanted to address it right off the bat. Recently, the recommendation to floss daily was removed from government dietary guidelines because of a lack of strong evidence linking flossing to the prevention of tooth decay. Here’s the truth: You can’t clean between your teeth without flossing. If you don’t floss, you’re missing a lot of surface area on your teeth and allowing bacteria and plaque to settle.We can always tell when patients haven’t been flossing because of the inflammation, buildup, and cavities that start to show up between teeth. Myth:The harder I brush my teeth, the cleaner they’ll be! Busted! Brushing too hard can do more damage than good. When you
-Kalie and Caryn –Kalie
2 | Elkins Dental
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