Check out our January newsletter!
FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM JANUARY 2025
LIVING MY DREAM ON BOTH STAGES Dentist by Day, Musician by Night
Ever since I was a teenager, I dreamed of becoming a rock star. Playing guitar and singing has always been a passion of mine, but fame comes with a price. If I ever made it big, I’d have to leave dentistry — and I’m pretty sure my patients wouldn’t be too happy about that. So, for now, I’ll keep rocking out in my free time while focusing on what I love just as much: caring for my patients. In honor of MakeYour Dream Come True Day on Jan. 13, I will say I’m lucky enough to have a job I love and play the“rock star”on the weekends with my brother. Honestly, that’s enough for my dream to come true, to be completely content, happy, and proud. My brother and I have a blast making music together, and I’m grateful for how accessible streaming platforms are today. Not long ago, it was tough for independent musicians to share their work without a record deal. Now, we can write songs and upload them to streaming services, reaching listeners without industry gatekeepers. It’s empowering for small-time musicians like us to connect with fans and share what we love.
We played our last gig in October and decided to take the winter off to write and record as much as possible and upload more songs for our fans. We’ve been recording like crazy lately and should have many more songs coming out very soon. In 2023 and 2024, we released a ton of songs and are so excited to have more. It’s exciting and fulfilling to embrace my creativity, let loose, and have fun.
Check out our music on any streaming platform! Search for The Two In The Middle and enjoy our latest tracks!
Creating music is our passion and hobby (outside of dentistry for me, of course), and it truly completes us. I once read that creating is a powerful antidepressant, and I couldn’t agree more. Whether it’s making music or crafting stained glass — something you all know I love — those are the moments I’m happiest. My oldest daughter performs frequently in Boise, especially in musical theater — how cool is that? My second oldest doesn’t perform publicly but has taken many lessons and loves to sing. In fact, all of my kids are musically gifted! If you’re near our house, you’re bound to hear someone singing a tune. It’s just who we are. Music is in our hearts and always will be. So, while I may never headline a sold-out arena or hear our songs on the radio, making music with my brother and sharing it with our small but loyal fan base is more than enough. Rock on! –Dr. Elkins
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Turn Your Living Space Into a DIY Obstacle Course This Winter BEAT THE INDOOR BLUES
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The Lava Floor: Arrange cushions for the classic game where the floor is lava, encouraging kids to leap from one safe spot to another. Crawling Challenges: Set up an army crawl zone with streamers for kids to maneuver under.
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As the winter weather confines us indoors, transforming your living room into an action- packed obstacle course can turn dreary days into dynamic adventures. Here's how to create a playful paradise right in your home, ensuring the kids (and maybe even the adults) will have a blast while staying active. Start with a plan. Kick off your indoor fun by sitting with your kids and brainstorming a list of challenges. The possibilities are endless! The key is to tailor the course to your space and the ages of your participants. The planning part of the activity will spark creativity and build anticipation for the fun ahead. Safety comes first, and fun comes second. Before the wild rumpus starts, safety-proof your space. Clear away fragile items and sharp corners, and lay down cushions
and yoga mats to soften the landscape. This ensures everyone can enjoy the course worry-free. Create engaging obstacles. Now for the fun part: building your course! Use simple household items to create engaging stations:
Time it for excitement. If kids start losing interest or finish the course too soon, introduce a timer to add a competitive edge. Time each round and challenge the kids to beat their previous scores. This will keep the excitement levels high! Wrap up with a race against the clock. Finally, make cleanup fun by setting it to music or turning it into a timed challenge. Who can put away the most items before the buzzer goes off? This helps with the inevitable mess and teaches responsibility in a fun, engaging way. Turning your living room into an obstacle course is a delightful way to enhance physical activity, creativity, and family bonding during those long winter months. So, why not start planning your adventure today?
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Balance Challenges: Lay a strip of painter's tape on the floor to serve as a balance beam, or use a two-by-four if space allows. Crepe Paper Maze: Stretch crepe paper across a corridor to create a thrilling laser maze. Cranking up some spy-themed music can enhance the atmosphere. Sack Races: Use pillowcases or sleeping bags for sack races across the living room. It’s a fantastic way to burn off some energy!
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A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee Impacted Wisdom Teeth? Here’s When Removal Is Necessary
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically appear in your late teens or early twenties. While some people don’t ever have complications with their wisdom teeth, others need them removed. Understanding wisdom teeth and their potential impact can help you better manage your oral health. Why do we have wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth were important for our ancestors — they needed extra molars to chew foods such as raw meat, roots, and nuts. Modern food and advancements in dental care have reduced the need for these extra teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth are sometimes more problematic than helpful. Common Wisdom Teeth Problems Impaction: Wisdom teeth can become trapped beneath the gum line, growing sideways or at an angle. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to swelling, pain, and infection. Crowding: If your mouth lacks enough room, emerging wisdom teeth can push against existing teeth and possibly cause alignment concerns. Decay and Gum Disease: Because wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth, they can be tough to clean, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Cysts and Tumors: Rarely, cysts may potentially form around impacted wisdom teeth and damage nearby teeth and/or the jawbone. When is wisdom tooth removal necessary? We may recommend wisdom tooth extraction if: • The teeth are impacted or causing pain. • They are crowding other teeth. • X-rays show potential future problems. • There are signs of infection or gum disease.
Maintaining Oral Health Even if your wisdom teeth don’t need immediate removal, regular dental check-ups and X-rays are important to stay on top of their development. Practicing good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing can prevent complications. By staying proactive and informed, you can maintain a healthy smile and address wisdom tooth concerns before they become serious. If you have questions about your wisdom teeth, give us a call today! We are always here to help keep your mouth healthy!
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
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Winner Winner Potluck Dinner You can make this dish to take along to any potluck — it’s always a hit!
Ingredients
• 1 lb ground beef • Salt and pepper, to taste • 3 tbsp butter
• 1 cup finely chopped onion • 1 cup water • 2 cans (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted • 1 can (5 oz) chow mein noodles, divided • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups sliced, peeled potatoes • 2 cups finely chopped celery • 1 cup finely chopped carrots • 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. 2. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté potatoes, celery, carrots, green pepper, and onion for about 5 minutes. Add water, cover, and simmer for 4–5 minutes. Stir in soup and beef until well incorporated. 3. Sprinkle half the chow mein noodles into a greased, shallow 2-qt baking dish, and spoon meat mixture over noodles. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Top with cheese and remaining noodles. Bake, uncovered, another 10 minutes or until heated through.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
JOKES DAD
Where do you find Google during January? The Winternet.
What did one snowflake say to the other? “You’re one of a kind.”
Where did the chef go to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Thyme Square
DID YOU KNOW? Tooth Facts Fun WHY DO YOUR TEETH FEEL SO SENSITIVE? Surprising Animal Abilities
Nature constantly surprises us, and some animals have evolved with mind-blowing adaptations to survive in extreme environments. Let’s take a look! AXOLOTL First, if you haven’t heard of them, look them up — they’re pretty cute! Axolotls can regrow their hearts, arms, legs, and even parts of their brains. WOOD FROGS Wood frogs can survive being frozen solid in winter by producing a natural antifreeze in their bodies that allows them to thaw and hop away in spring. STAR-NOSED MOLE The star-nosed mole has 22 fleshy appendages on its snout that can detect tiny insects and prey with lightning-fast precision, even in total darkness.
Why are your teeth so sensitive? We all experience different levels of tooth sensitivity, which occurs when the protective layers of your teeth wear down and expose the underlying dentin — a softer tissue filled with microscopic tubules connected to the tooth’s nerves. When exposed to cold, heat, or even sweetness, these tubules send signals to the nerves and cause sharp, sudden pain. Your tooth enamel is a shield, but habits like aggressive brushing, eating acidic foods, or grinding your teeth can erode this protective layer. Gum recession can also expose sensitive tooth roots. Additionally, cavities, cracked teeth, and worn fillings can also lead to tooth sensitivity!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. I’m Living 2 Passions Without Missing a Beat
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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3. Winner Winner Potluck Dinner
4. The Surprisingly Quirky Origins of Figure Skating
Create an Indoor Obstacle Course This Winter!
Tooth Facts
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Did You Know?
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
How Figure Skating Twirled Into Modern Times Skating Through History
Who knew this graceful and frosty sport had such peculiar beginnings? Strap on your skates, folks — we’re sliding into the fascinating world of figure skating history, with a few spins and jumps along the way. BONE TO BE WILD Long before figure skating became the artistic and athletic spectacle we know today, it was a literal bone-shaking experience. Imagine strapping animal bones to your feet to skim across frozen lakes — sounds like an early winter version of ice skating, right? That’s precisely what people in Finland did thousands of years ago, using“skates”made from animal bones as a practical way to avoid lengthy detours around icy obstacles. DANCING ON ICE Flash forward to the 19th century, when figure skating began to embrace its inner dance. Inspired by the elegant waltz,
members of theVienna Skating Club took their ballroom moves to the ice, effectively inventing what we now admire as ice dancing. Swirling across the ice, these pioneers transformed a pastime into a dance of beauty on blades. A LEAP FOR EQUALITY Jump to the turn of the 20th century, when figure skating was making its mark in the competitive arena. Initially, the World Championships of 1896 were an all-male affair in St. Petersburg, Russia. But by 1902, the tides had turned at the London championships. The pioneering Madge Syers glided into the competition and snagged second place right behind the male champion, Ulrich Salchow (yes, the guy who gave us the Salchow jump). This remarkable feat prompted the introduction of a separate division for women just three years later, setting the stage for gender equality on ice.
PHYSICS ON ICE When skaters land a jump, they can exert over 1,000 pounds of pressure — imagine the force of a small car landing on ice! During those breathtaking spins, reaching speeds of 300 revolutions per minute, skaters experience forces akin to those faced by astronauts during centrifuge training. It’s not just artistry; it’s physics in motion! From bone skates to balletic leaps on ice, figure skating has evolved dramatically over the centuries. So, next time you watch a figure skating competition, remember the rich history that brought us those polished performances.
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