Building a snowman outside in the cold air is much better than sitting in a warm room with a cellphone for maintaining a child’s physical and mental health in the wintertime. Although most people tend to stay indoors during winter, spending time outside on snowy days can significantly people of all ages a needed boost. Here are a few interesting facts that show how a winter wonderland can enhance our well-being. The Perks of Outdoor Play Did you know you’re more likely to catch a winter cold if you stay indoors? Although we instinctively huddle in close quarters when temperatures drop, hiding inside makes us more susceptible to germs that thrive in stagnant air. Studies have shown that being cold may trigger our immune systems, which means playing outside in the fresh winter air is often better for a child’s body than snuggling up in a warm living room. Getting outside in winter also puts a child’s mind in motion. Although the sight of icicles and one’s breath in winter are old hat for adults, these seasonal events could inspire wonder and curiosity in young people, allowing them to learn new things about the world. Encouraging your child to design GET OUTSIDE, FEEL FANTASTIC! WINTER WONDERS FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH
KNOW THE SIGNS, SAVE A TOOTH, AND PROTECT YOUR SMILE Understanding Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies never seem to come at a convenient time, catching you completely off guard.
However, knowing what constitutes a dental emergency versus a minor dental issue can sometimes be the difference between saving a tooth and wasting your time. When should emergency dental care be considered? Mouth and tooth pain doesn’t always mean you’re having a dental emergency. If you’re unsure as to whether or not your dental issue can wait until your next visit or if it’s indeed an emergency, ask yourself these questions: • What level of pain are you experiencing? • Do you see any blood? • Are there any signs of infection? • Do any of your teeth look or feel loose? • Did you lose any teeth? If any of your answers to these questions are yes, and are severe, an emergency dental consultation is necessary. To help communicate your pain to your dentist, here are four common dental emergencies that require immediate help. Cracked/Broken Tooth Teeth are surprisingly strong, especially when you’ve taken good care of them. However, sometimes even the strongest teeth crack, fracture, and break, and the pain can be severe if those breaks go down to the root. This emergency is usually caused by trauma, biting, or grinding. Dislodged/Loose Teeth Decay or trauma is typically the reason people lose teeth, or they become loosened from the socket. The good news is that the tooth can likely be saved if it is still attached to the mouth’s nerves and blood vessels. Lost Filling or Crown Fillings or crowns can come loose after eating or chewing sticky food. Once the crown or filling is out of the mouth, the tooth becomes more susceptible to sensitivity from temperature changes. Avulsed Tooth If a tooth has been knocked out, that means the tissues, blood vessels, and nerves are all damaged. In some cases, the tooth can be saved, but it must be kept from drying until it can be replaced. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket right on the spot and hold it there, the next best thing is to put it in a cup of milk or saliva. To learn more about our dental emergency procedure, please call our office at (240) 329-4725.
and build the ultimate snowman also stimulates their imaginations far more than watching TV indoors. Winter play also helps keep children’s senses sharp when inclement weather disrupts their usual routines like school and sports.
The Dynamic Benefits of Vitamin D Sunlight is one of nature’s greatest gifts to our health, as it provides us with vitamin D. Getting outside when the sun appears on a winter’s day can
do wonders for our mood, as increasing our vitamin D levels reduces anxiety and stress. Instead of letting our kids hide in dark rooms on snow
days, let them venture outside and receive one
of Mother Nature’s easiest cures for the winter blues!
2 • www.hagerstownsmiles.com
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