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FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM NOVEMBER 2024
The Gift of Time and Cherished Moments Remembering Sam
Life never feels long enough.
make time to stop by and visit his mom to catch up. Seeing her this time was especially meaningful as we shared memories of Sam, and I filled her in on updates about my life and kids. Sam and I spent countless hours playing guitar together, and he had this amazing Fender amplifier we’d use all the time. I have to admit, I was always a bit envious of it. The amp was super cool — his dad bought it back in 1966 and then passed it down to Sam. I still remember all the times we jammed on it as teenagers, and his mom kept it all this time. She still had that amplifier, and while I was visiting her after my 30th reunion, she asked if I’d like to have it. Was that even a question? Of course I did! I didn’t care if it was an empty shell or didn’t work — I wanted it for my music room as a piece of Sam. After all, Sam was the one I started playing guitar with, and having that amp would mean the world to me. I couldn’t bring it back with me during the reunion, but a few weeks ago, I made a special trip to visit her and pick up the amplifier. Now, it has a place in my music room, and every time I play, I get to use the same amp Sam and I once jammed on together. It’s like having a piece of Sam with me every time I plug in. I still think about Sam all the time, and this Thanksgiving, having his amplifier in my music room — this incredible reminder of all our memories — fills me with gratitude. It reminds me not to take the health of my family and loved ones for granted, not even for a second. Life is way too short, and we just never know how much time we have. It’s so important to make the most of every moment and live life to the fullest.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve lost several friends unexpectedly. As I process these losses and reflect on the wonderful times we shared, I feel especially grateful for the health and presence of family and friends. That gratitude feels even stronger this Thanksgiving and reminds me to cherish every moment and hold close to the people I love.You really just never know. One of my closest friends, Sam, passed away right after high school. We’d known each other since fifth grade and shared so much of our growing-up years. I shared some of my best memories — like learning to play guitar — with Sam. I recently went to my 30th high school reunion in Fallon, Nevada, where I grew up. Every time I return — usually only for these reunions — I think of Sam and feel a little closer to him. I always
Sam, you’re always with me.
–Dr. Elkins
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Elevate Your End-of-Year Holidays
The end-of-year holidays are festive but famously stressful, with fighting crowds and busting budgets. Here are five ideas to elevate your holidays by embracing new, simple family traditions. Shop-Local Friday Avoid door-busting Black Friday crowds by shopping locally.Visit nearby shops as a family and try out their offerings. Or stay even closer to home by gamifying Black Friday into an online scavenger hunt. Make a shopping list and see who can find the best deals on each item.
while teens could hunt for a bird’s nest or a particular tree species.Your kids will learn about nature while enjoying some adventurous competition. Friendsgiving If you aren’t overwhelmed by relatives during Thanksgiving, consider letting your children plan their own Friendsgiving celebration. This relatively new holiday has become a popular way to relax with your besties, and hosting a kids’version can help children strengthen social ties. Serve Thanksgiving leftovers or let the kids plan the menu. Year-End Gift Fest Three gift-giving holidays — Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa — all fall near the end of December this year. Consider making gifts rather than buying them. Purchase supplies for a crafting or baking session and
encourage your kids to create keepsakes or treats for loved ones, such as beaded jewelry, photo albums, trinket trays, original storybooks, artwork, cookies, or candy. Your kids will see that many recipients value their effort in making gifts more than the money spent on purchased ones.
A Year of Memories The year’s end is a time to remember
special people and events. Decorate a glass Memory Jar and ask each family member to recall a few favorite happenings or activities from the past year. Record each one on a slip of paper, drop them into the Memory Jar, make it the centerpiece for a family meal, and take turns pulling out and reading each other’s memories. This simple ritual can spark plenty of fun, plus warm conversations about the abundance that families share.
Go Hunting Outdoors Work off that Thanksgiving meal by
visiting a nearby park or trail for a hike and scavenger hunt. Give each family member a list of items to find. Small children might look for a pinecone or sparkly rock,
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee Recognizing and Treating an Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is a painful infection that occurs when tooth
Drainage: In some cases, we may drain the abscess to help relieve pressure and reduce pain. Cleaning: If gum disease created the abscess, the dentist will clean the space between the gums and the tooth to remove bacteria and plaque. Root Canal: For abscesses caused by decay or a crack in the tooth, a root canal can remove infected tissue from the pulp, clean the canals, and seal the tooth to prevent more infection. To prevent tooth abscesses, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily, avoid sugary foods, and schedule regular dental checkups to catch problems early. Early intervention can make a huge difference in preventing infections, keeping your mouth healthy, and avoiding serious complications.
decay, gum disease, or a cracked tooth allows bacteria to reach the pulp within your tooth — the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. Once bacteria infiltrate the pulp, they cause the tissue to die, allowing an infection to form at the root. As the infection worsens, it creates a pus-filled pocket called an abscess at the root tip within the jawbone. If left untreated, an abscess can lead to a severe infection, affecting the jawbone, nearby teeth, and surrounding tissues.
Some common symptoms include: • Persistent pain • Swelling in the jaw or gums • Fever
• A foul taste in the mouth • Redness in the gums
Treating an abscessed tooth requires quick intervention to be sure the infection doesn’t spread. Here are some treatments a dentist might recommend based on the infection’s severity. Antibiotics: These medications help eliminate the bacteria causing the infection, particularly if the abscess has spread or the swelling is severe.
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
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• 6 tbsp unsalted butter • 3 garlic cloves, smashed • 3/4 cup buttery crackers (such as Ritz), crushed • 3/4 cup panko • 2 tbsp heavy cream • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 (3-lb) skin-on salmon fillet (1 1/4-inches thick) Crunchy, Lemony Salmon • 2 tsp minced fresh thyme • 2 tsp lemon zest • 1 tsp each black pepper and salt, divided • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper Ingredients
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together crackers, panko, thyme, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Add melted garlic butter and combine. Set aside. 4. In a small bowl, stir together cream and mustard; set aside. Drizzle oil in a heatproof baking dish and place fish, skin side down, in the center. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Brush fish evenly with cream mixture. Top fish with cracker mixture, gently pressing into fish. 5. Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature to 400 F. Bake until crumbs turn golden brown, 15–18 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
JOKES DAD
If you call a big turkey a gobbler, what do you call a small one? A goblet.
What type of key can never open doors? A tur-key.
What did the salad say to the butter who kept making jokes? You're on a roll.
Tooth Facts Fun Ancient Egyptians: The First Orthodontists? Discover Early Braces!
Did You Know? Surprising Thanksgiving Trivia
Are you ready for some little-known facts about Thanksgiving to share around the holiday table? Thanksgiving used to last for 3 days. The first Thanksgiving in 1621, celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, actually lasted for three days! Could you imagine three days straight of turkey and gravy? ‘Jingle Bells’ was originally a Thanksgiving song. Written in 1857,“Jingle Bells”was intended for Thanksgiving, but its catchy tune made it a holiday favorite for the Christmas season. TV dinners originated from Thanksgiving leftovers. In 1953, Swanson overestimated their turkey order and had 500,000 pounds left over, which they repurposed into frozen meals used for TV dinners.
Braces date back to ancient times — it’s true!
Evidence suggests that early orthodontic techniques may have been used in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists have found mummified remains with metal bands wrapped around their teeth, which appear similar to the braces we know today. These metal bands were likely made from catgut and were woven around teeth to try to align them. While the materials and methods were primitive, the ancient Egyptians clearly recognized the importance of straightening teeth.
How cool!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Grateful for Memories That Last a Lifetime 2. De-Stress the Holidays With These Simpler Traditions
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
3.
4.
Crunchy, Lemony Salmon
Samson and Cleo’s Tail-
Wagging Tale
Tooth Facts
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Did You Know?
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
HOW A KITTEN HELPED SAMSON UNLEASH HIS INNER PUP A PURR-FECT MATCH
Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!”moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the
right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since. “It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,”Lea said. Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister.
Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco. “It shows that friendship has no bounds,”Lea said.“Anyone can be friends.”
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