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FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM SEPTEMBER 2023
TRACING ROOTS My Ancestral Heritage Revealed Embarking on a journey to uncover your ancestral heritage is like stepping into a time machine that transports you to the past. Having the opportunity to piece together my family history was captivating. I did the kit where you send in a sample of your saliva, and after a few short weeks, you receive your ancestry completely mapped out for you. I wasn’t very surprised by the results because this test confirmed what I already knew — I’m a giant mix of different European descendants. As it turned out, most of my ancestors came from England, Ireland, Scotland, and a few other European countries. My last name, Elkins, is derived from the name for relatives of King Elie (Elias). Any of King Elie’s relatives were called“Elekin,”and shortened, it comes out to Elkins. I’ve always found this fascinating, and I’m proud to have passed the name along to my own children to carry on for generations to come. My family traveled across the U.S. plains as pioneers and settled in Utah, where my dad was raised. One story my dad fondly tells about my great- great-great-grandmother has stuck with me forever. While she and her family were making their way across the country and heading west, they traveled in covered wagons — just like the history books say! She was still young and playful, and she was instructed to avoid playing around in the back for her safety. Just like any young girl would do, she nodded and then went on to do the opposite. During the journey, she was playing in the back of the wagon and fell out of the back. She tumbled to the ground, and by the time she got up and dusted herself off, she realized that nobody had noticed she was missing. She was too small, and the wagon was moving too quickly for her to jump back on. Once her family reached their destination and checked the back of the wagon, they realized she was missing. They sat and waited — hoping she’d follow the trail left behind by the wagon, and she did just that! For about 10 miles, my great-great-great-grandmother followed the tracks the wagon left behind in the dirt. Once she finally caught back up to the wagon, her shoes were filled with rocks and dirt, her legs were tired, and her feet were
so blistered. Because her shoes were lace-ups and she was incredibly young, she couldn’t take them off and shake out the dirt periodically. In the end, I’m pretty sure she learned her lesson and was careful not to play in the back of the wagon anymore. Luckily, she survived her terrifying experience, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today! Now, our entire family enjoys the story, and many years from now, my children’s children will be talking about how she fell out of the back of the wagon.
Sept. 25 is National Heritage Day — what do you know about where your ancestors came from?
–Dr. Elkins
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Most of us fondly remember letting our imaginations run wild with LEGO blocks as a kid. But it turns out some people never outgrow that fun. A community of high-level adult LEGO builders can construct astounding creations. And in the competition show“LEGO Masters,”they compete spectacularly to determine who is the best of the best. “LEGO Masters”follows a format similar to most reality competition shows. Teams of two compete every week in a new challenge. The team that does the worst goes home, while the others advance closer to the title of LEGO Master. Jamie Berard and Amy Corbett, two “master builders”who design kits for LEGO, judge the contestants. Meanwhile, actor and comedian Will Arnett covers hosting duties. Contestants have access to 3 million LEGO in the studio. (Fun fact:“LEGO”is the plural of“LEGO.”) But while they have every size and shape they could ever want, the challenges are no cakewalk. The builders must create structures that move, incorporate water, or hold enormous weight. Amy and Jamie give tips while the builders work and judge the teams on creativity, function, and storytelling. Unsurprisingly, at least one team disappoints most weeks, but many builds are incredibly impressive.You’ll be shocked to learn how much is possible with six-studded bricks! Arnett is a great host who is equally impressed with the contestants’ abilities and willing to inject some levity into the proceedings. His comedic bits keep the show moving, and he’s passionate about the different builds. He also has a destructive streak. Several GET YOUR BRICK ON ‘LEGO Masters’ Will Please All Ages
challenges include builders creating masterpieces for Arnett to blow up, sledgehammer, or try to break with weights. Kids, in particular, will enjoy seeing the pieces go flying. “LEGO Masters”will entertain kids, teens, and adults with laughs, competition, and some education. However, there may be one downside to watching with your children: They might ask you to buy a lot more LEGO. But that, too, presents a new opportunity to bond and spend time together as a family. Even if you don’t win any prizes, making your own creations can be just as fun as watching the pros. As Will Arnett regularly instructs contestants,“Get your brick on!”
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee The Impact of Stomach Complications on Your Teeth
Did you know that your digestive health can have a significant impact on the health of your teeth? Stomach
What does reflux-related tooth erosion do to your teeth? When tooth erosion occurs as a result of acid reflux, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
• Pain or sensitivity when consuming cold, hot, or sweet beverages • Tooth discoloration or yellowing • Changes in dental fillings • Abscess development • Tooth loss • Increase in cavities
complications, such as acid reflux, can lead to the gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, a condition also known as teeth erosion. This erosion can not only affect the appearance of your teeth, but it potentially creates an environment that allows harmful bacteria to thrive, opening the door to cavities and other dental problems. How do stomach complications affect your teeth? Conditions such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involve the backflow of stomach acids into the mouth. Usually, saliva helps to neutralize these acids. However, those who suffer from GERD have stomach acid making its way into the mouth in excess, throwing them off balance and posing a constant threat to their dental health. The damage caused by stomach acids is particularly severe during sleep, when swallowing frequency slows down and saliva production decreases. Additionally, certain medications to treat acid reflux can cause dry mouth, further reducing saliva's protective effects. As a result, the risk of tooth erosion and decay increases.
To protect your teeth and get relief, consult with your trusted dental professional here at Elkins Dental. Our additional tips are to chew sugar-free
gum to stimulate saliva production, stay hydrated, use desensitizing toothpaste, and avoid alcohol and smoking. Proper dental care is your best line of defense for reflux-related dental complications! Call us today for an evaluation!
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
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Cozy French Onion Soup Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
Out-of-town relatives who are visiting for the holidays might wonder what makes Emmett so special. But we already know the Treasure Valley is full of gems — and we don’t just mean the rocks. Here are some additional reasons Emmett and The Gem State are great. WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE On average, we have 210 sunny days per year. Compare that to 144 rainy days in Portland and we can feel pretty happy about all our free vitamin D. Directions • 5 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 tbsp butter • 8 cups sliced onions • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup port wine
MOUNTAIN RANGES Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, we don’t have to go far to find mountaintop winter activities. If skiing or tubing is your idea of winter fun, Bogus Basin is just a short drive away, and heading to McCall makes a fun weekend getaway. ... AND RIVERS Not only are we surrounded by the Payette and Boise rivers, Idaho is also home to the deepest gorge in North America: Hells Canyon. Take that, Arizona! • 2 32-oz cartons beef broth • Salt and pepper, to taste • 24 slices baguette (1/2-inch thick) • 3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
GOOD CHEER Beer lovers, rejoice! Idaho is the world’s largest hop producer, and more and more people are taking advantage of our agricultural bounty by opening breweries in the Treasure Valley. Share a few of these treasures with visiting family members and their only question will be “How did we not come here sooner?”
1. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, then reduce heat. Occasionally stir until brown (around 30 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. 2. Stir in wine and bring to a boil. When liquid has reduced by half, add broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour. 3. Preheat oven to 400 F. On a baking sheet, brush baguette slices with remaining oil. Bake until golden (3–5 minutes each side). 4. In 12 broiler-safe 8-oz bowls, place 2 toast slices and pour soup into each. Top with cheese and broil until melted.
What do the leaves say before they hibernate? Rake me up when September ends. JOKES DAD Facts Tooth Fun Can Your Enamel Regenerate Itself? You may have heard this rumor before: Certain mouthwashes, rinses, and kinds of toothpaste can help your tooth enamel to regenerate over time. Enamel is the thin outer coating of your teeth that protects the softer tissues of your teeth. However, unlike other parts of the human body, tooth enamel is not able to regenerate itself once it has been damaged. However, researchers are currently exploring many different methods to stimulate enamel regeneration, which may revolutionize dental care in the future!
September 15th is national camouflage day. I hope I don’t see anyone celebrating.
Cattle Friends Did you know that cows have best friends? Studies show that just like humans, cows form bonds with other like-minded cows. Shortly after birth, they have an instinctual desire to bond with others and are more relaxed and less stressed when they are with their close companions. Cows seek out physical contact and love to walk together, eat together, groom together, and even sleep together. Sometimes, these connections that they form at an early age become lifelong friendships! DID YOU KNOW?
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. A Journey Through Time: Tracing My Roots
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2. Become a Kid Again With
3. Cozy French Onion Soup
4.
Tradition vs. Time: The
‘LEGO Masters’
New Standing Ovation Rule in MLB
Tooth Facts
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
A Word From Cheyenne and Ashlee
Did You Know?
Happy Labor Day From Elkins Dental!
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
TRADITION VS. TIME The New Standing Ovation Rule in MLB
When Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record and played in his 2,131st consecutive major league game, fans showered him with a 22-minute-long standing ovation. When Ichiro Suzuki walked off the field in the final game of his career, he, too, received a standing ovation. In his final game with theYankees, Alex Rodriguez also got a big standing O. Standing ovations are a large part of baseball as fans will spontaneously honor players for stellar careers, broken records, and incredible performances. However, sometimes, like in the 22-minute Cal Ripken ovation, they can consume a lot of game time. Early in the 2023 season, Chicago Cubs’Cody Bellinger received a pitch clock violation because of his standing ovation from Dodgers fans for returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers stadium (his former team). After the ovation died down, Bellinger was forced to start his batting count 0-1. To be penalized with a strike for an ovation didn’t sit well, and it
sent his fans into a complete uproar. Although the pitch clock is designed to keep games moving quickly with fewer interruptions and improve the baseball experience, fans were not entertained in this case.
In an effort to improve the pace of the game and to include ovations, MLB teams are now required to submit a request 24 hours in advance for potential standing ovations to avoid a pitch clock violation. Now, teams and fans can celebrate these special moments of baseball’s past and present while keeping games on track. While this new rule seems cumbersome, MLB hopes it will help balance sometimes competing aspirations: improving the pace of the game while embracing the sport’s traditions of acknowledging great players. Teams will now do their best to predict when drawn-out ovations will occur and submit their requests on time. It’s a balancing act to keep everyone happy, celebrate the players, and honor the game’s history and milestones.
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