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FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM OCTOBER 2023
AN UNEXPECTED WAVE OF CHANGE
Our Vacation Plans Were Turned Upside Down
Throughout life, we are constantly reminded to expect the unexpected. On the Friday leading into Labor Day weekend, I had surgery on my left arm. This hit me like a wave — quite literally. For the most part, I’m a very calculated and safe person. I don’t ride motorcycles, rock climb, or live life on the edge — if I were to sprain a finger or injure my wrist, my ability to see patients and continue a career that I love could be compromised. If I were to break a bone, I could be really out of commission for quite some time. I always have to keep this in mind. This isn’t to say that I don’t live life to the fullest; I’m just careful. Well, as careful as I can be. My family and I decided to take a leisurely vacation at McCall Lake with our personal watercraft. My son, Adam, is 8 years old and loves taking them out on the water for a spin, but he’s just a tad too young to drive one. I never
We caught a wave, and the watercraft hit the water hard, throwing me off the seat and into the lake. My initial reaction was to make sure Adam was all right, but pain consumed me out of nowhere. I thought I had broken my arm. In this emergency situation, Adam was calm. He was able to help pull me out of the water and drive us back to shore. Once we reached land and my wife checked in on him, he broke down a bit, but all things considered, he was a hero. Once I reached the emergency room, the pain had subsided a bit and I began to wonder if it was possibly just a strain. The X-rays showed that there wasn’t a break, but doctors ordered an MRI on my arm. The kicker was that they couldn't fit me in for two weeks. So, during that time, I continued to see patients, and all the while, my arm was uncomfortable. The MRI pointed to something much larger than I had imagined — I had separated my triceps muscle from the elbow. Alarmed, doctors scheduled surgery right away, and instead of spending my Labor Day weekend relaxing, I spent it recovering. I’ve been back in the office with a brace on my left arm. I will be conducting hygiene checks and seeing patients with emergencies, but elective procedures such as fillings and crowns have been placed on a brief hold until I’ve recovered. I feel so fortunate with modern medicine that with an accident like this, I can eventually get back to feeling 100%. It may be a pain in the butt right now, but in just a few months, I’ll feel great once again. Things happen, and I’m glad that I have systems in place in the office and in my personal life to accommodate life’s surprises. Eventually, it’ll only be a memory!
mind getting on with him and cruising around the lake — we always have a blast. But this time, things didn’t go as planned.
–Dr. Elkins
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Tried-and-True Methods to Break Your Kids’ Screen Addiction
Lay down the law. Once you decide on time limits, implement them ruthlessly.You can set most tablets to automatically turn off after they’ve been viewed for a set amount of time each day. Once time is up, it’s up — and using someone else’s tablet is unallowed. Furthermore, ask questions about what your kids are viewing and playing and use strict parental controls to ensure they only access age-appropriate content. Create screen-free zones. Specific times and places should always be off-limits for screens. A prevalent rule involves no screens and food together; eating should be mindful, and dinner should be family time. Experts also recommend no devices for one hour before bed.You might also consider requiring your kids to look away from screens and make eye contact while talking to someone. Other decrees could include
Every parent knows they should limit their children’s screen time, but accomplishing it is far easier said than done. Kids love their devices as much as adults and would happily spend hours glued to their electronics if we let them. Fortunately, we’ve discovered some tried-and-true methods for parents to prevent bad habits. Establish time limits. Every parent must determine the right amount of screen time for their kids, but it helps to know what experts recommend. The American Academy of Pediatrics says screen time should be strictly limited to video calls for children under 18 months, children 18 to 24 months should only watch high-quality programming with an adult, and kids aged 2 to 5 should watch no more than one hour daily. After that, the science gets a bit fuzzier, but most experts agree that less is best.
tablets not leaving the car once you arrive at a destination or no devices while guests visit. Be a good role model. Yes, you’re the parent, and no one can tell you how much time to spend on your phone. But children quickly adopt what they see. When the adults around them are always glued to different electronic devices, it makes the habit seem even more attractive. Reducing screen time will benefit your health and ability to connect with your family. Limiting your use in front of your kids specifically will show them you practice what you preach.
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee When Dental Emergencies Strike: Act Quickly and Efficiently
Accidents happen! Dental emergencies can strike unexpectedly, causing pain, discomfort, and anxiety. While prevention is the best approach, knowing how to handle dental emergencies can make all the difference in minimizing damage and alleviating pain until you are able to seek professional dental help at our office. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when facing a dental emergency. Stay calm. In the face of a cracked tooth, bleeding gums, or other dental emergency, it’s crucial to remain calm. Panicking can escalate the situation and hinder clear thinking. Take a deep breath and assess the situation calmly. Contact our office. Next, reach out to our office right away. We have protocols in place for emergencies and can provide guidance over the phone. If the emergency occurs after hours or if the situation requires immediate attention, please call 911 right away. Control bleeding. If you’re experiencing bleeding due to a dental injury, gently clean the area and apply a clean cloth or gauze to help control the bleeding. Applying slight pressure can assist in stopping the flow of blood.
Preserve lost teeth. If you accidentally lose a tooth, handle it by the top part of the
tooth (the crown) and avoid touching the root. If the tooth appears to be salvageable, rinse it with water and try to reposition it back in the socket. If that is
not possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of your saliva or milk until you can see the dentist for an emergency visit. Manage toothaches. If you have a toothache, gently rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove any debris stuck between your teeth. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the affected area, as it can irritate your gums. Handling a dental emergency requires a combination of quick thinking, proper care, and the assistance of our dental professionals. Remember that your dentist is your partner in taking care of your teeth, and we are here to provide you with guidance and support during any dental emergency!
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
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Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese Inspired by TheModernProper.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 • 2 sticks butter, divided • 1/3 cup flour • 5 cups milk • 8 oz cream cheese • 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided • 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
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 tsp salt • 2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lb bacon, chopped and cooked • 8 jalapeños, seeded and chopped • 1 lb macaroni, cooked • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until fully absorbed in butter. Whisk in milk slowly. 3. Once sauce thickens, stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted, reserving 1 cup of each shredded cheese. Add seasonings, bacon, and jalapeños before removing from heat, then combine pasta and sauce. 4. In a small skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in panko. 5. In a greased baking dish or skillet, add macaroni and top with panko and remaining cheese. Bake for 30–40 minutes and serve warm.
JOKES DAD
What month is best for a music festival? ROCK-tober
Why did a scarecrow win the Nobel prize? He was outstanding in his field.
Facts Tooth Fun
Sloth’s Secret Skill: Swimming DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that sloths are surprisingly good swimmers? Despite their slow movement on land, sloths are proficient swimmers, sometimes moving three times faster in the water! They have great buoyancy, allowing them to float and glide through the water at a quicker rate. Sloths use their long arms to glide through water efficiently, and some can even hold their breath for up to 40 minutes! They have an interesting swimming pattern: sloths doggy paddle with their front limbs and their much shorter back legs paddle in a side-to-side motion.
A Balanced Bite
Similar to having a dominant hand, many individuals tend to favor one side of their mouth for chewing food. This preference, however, can lead to uneven wear on teeth over time, sensitivity, and, in some cases, temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It’s essential to be mindful of chewing habits and try to balance the pressure on both sides to prevent excessive wear and potential dental issues. Alternating sides while chewing is recommended to promote an even distribution of forces and maintain the health and longevity of your teeth.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. When Life Throws You a Curveball …
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2. Time's Up! How to Implement
3.
4.
Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Use Your
Garden's Fall Bounty for
Effective Screen Time Limits for Kids
Home Decor!
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
Tooth Facts
Did You Know?
A Word From Cheyenne and Ashlee
Happy Halloween From Elkins Dental!
208-369-4532 · ElkinsDental.com
Transform Your Fall Harvest Into Stunning Indoor Decorations!
If you have a backyard garden, you may find yourself looking for new ways to use all the crops you’ve grown. After all, there are only so many pumpkins you can carve, seeds you can roast, or squash you can spaghetti. So, instead of looking up "squash recipes" for the hundredth time this week, consider these indoor decor tips that utilize your garden's bountiful harvest! A Centerpiece Fall fruits and vegetables make great centerpiece arrangements because they have both seasonal colors and unique textures. Consider arranging a few squash or pumpkins in a bowl or basket and topping them with a bouquet of festive flowers.You can also mix herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, or rosemary into the bouquet for fragrance and a fuller appearance. Play with the different shapes and sizes of your gourds. Have them lean against each other or stack them for variation and depth in your display.
A Natural Wreath Fresh herbs, flowers, or leaves from your fall harvest are perfect for an autumn wreath. All you need is a wreath form, which you can buy from your local craft store or online, and some floral U-pins. Use large leaves as a base (pumpkin leaves are great), then layer on smaller seasonal herbs such as sage, rosemary, or oregano. Finally, attach some flowers to it! Squash or pumpkin blossoms work beautifully, but you can use any seasonal flower you have growing. An Autumnal Herb Swag A "door swag" is a traditional holiday decoration, and it's an easy way to add some color to your door without creating an entire wreath. To make a swag, grab a few bundles of your favorite herbs, secure the stems with a rubber band, wrap them with twine, and tie them off, leaving a few inches of twine on both sides. Then, tie those ends together to form a loop and hang the swag on your door!
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