Elkins Dental October 2018

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!

Even the Most Frightening Ghouls Need to Be Careful

crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there. CHOOSE SMART COSTUMES Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right-sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. MAKE A PLAN Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family.This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.

Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with

sugary treasures, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night.

PRACTICE STREET SAFETY Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use

A Word From Caryn

Some of the warning signs of untreated diabetes are things you can watch out for and pay attention to at home.These can include: • Excessive thirst • Frequent urination • Dry mouth (xerostomia) • Problems tasting food • Delayed wound healing • Frequent bleeding gums • Weight loss and fatigue If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor. A blood test can reveal more about your blood sugar levels and help determine how best to treat your symptoms. Remember, you are in charge of your own health. If you have diabetes, take steps to control your blood sugar. Because your oral health is part of managing diabetes, come in for regular reservations to help not just your oral health, but your overall health. And if it’s been a while since you had a physical from your primary care doctor, it may be time to give them a call too. –Caryn

As hygienists, we can’t diagnose medical conditions, but sometimes your oral health contains

clues that may be connected to other health issues. We like to focus on creating awareness, and one of the ways we do that is by sharing some of the signs you can look for at home to clue you into when it’s time to see a doctor. More and more research points to the connection between periodontal disease and other diseases. Diabetes, for one, often goes hand in hand with periodontal disease. About 10 percent of people are affected by diabetes — that’s 29.1 million people, according to the American Dental Association. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease because it’s more difficult for them to control blood sugar. In addition, gum disease, like some infections, can cause blood sugar to spike. Because people with diabetes are more susceptible to infections, their body is less able to fight off infection related to the gums.This makes it all the more important to manage diabetes and seek the help of medical professionals.

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