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FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE
ELKINSDENTAL.COM
JAN 2018
A YEAR OF CHANGE
Every new year, we ask ourselves the same questions: What’s changing? What’s staying the same? It’s something I’ve been trying to figure out lately, and I wanted to share my answers with all of you as we enter 2018 together. It’s going to be an exciting year on all fronts. Our practice is embracing a few updates. One big one is the switch from air-driven handpieces to electric ones. Air-driven used to be the way to go; for many years, there wasn’t even a question. But lately, the technology in those electric models has become very good, and there are a few reasons we’re making the switch. Electric handpieces are simpler, just as effective, and require less maintenance and repair. Air-driven systems need pumps and lines to work, and those can get clogged or break down — you name it. When that happens, you can run out of luck pretty quickly. And nobody likes
downtime, especially for procedures you’ve had to schedule and take time off work to fit in. Electric implements are also quieter. They don’t have that signature high-pitched whine that sets many people on edge. This means less fear and more patient comfort, especially for those who are already uncomfortable with the dentist. It’s a big move to make, and it’s not cheap. But electric is better for our patients, and that’s all that really matters to us. New dental offices aren’t even designed with air systems in mind, and that’s a real sign of the times. We also bought the property behind the practice and are putting in a parking lot. Over the years, many patients pointed it out, asking if we’d considered taking down the old shack on it and expanding parking. It was kind of an eyesore, and we needed the parking space, so we did just that!
We’ll be breaking ground when it thaws, and it’s something for us to look forward to this spring. On the personal side, our Evie is graduating high school and starting college this year. She’s excited, and she has a little senioritis. She’s looking at schools in Idaho, Utah, and Oklahoma. It signals the start of the next phase of our life: the kids moving out. It’s hard to believe those baby pictures are 17 years old, but there you have it. As you can tell, we’re in for a busy year. How about you? I hope you had a great holiday season, and that you’re off to a good start in 2018. We’ll catch up during your next visit!
–Dr. Elkins
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WANT TO SEE BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018?
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. Make It a Family Resolution There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. Set Reward Milestones Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a
prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. Use Reading Apps Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.
A Word From
Kalie and Caryn
Is Dry Mouth a Problem? Yes!
What’s so bad about dry mouth? It’s true that this condition, which is a common side effect of certain medications
but fighting dry mouth while dehydrated is an uphill battle. CPAP users experiencing dry mouth should make sure they’re using the machine correctly. It helps to have a humidifier in the room while you use the machine and to ensure that your mask is fitting properly. In addition, all people experiencing dry mouth may benefit from certain rinses to help combat the condition. We’d be happy to help you find the right one at your next dental checkup. Realistically, the most important step in fighting dry mouth is being aware of the problem and getting checkups more regularly to ensure everything in your mouth is clean and plaque-free.While we usually recommend twice-a-year dental checkups, patients with chronic dry mouth should plan on visiting more frequently.That way, we can keep a close eye on your dental health. Dry mouth questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate to ask during your next visit or call our offices. We’re here to help! –Kalie and Caryn
or the use of a CPAP machine, may not sound scary. But it can have real effects on your health — especially your dental health — if left unaddressed. Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce the proper amount of saliva.The result is, as the name suggests, a dry mouth. As we mentioned, this is usually the result of medication or CPAP use. It’s not comfortable, but the effects of dry mouth go well beyond discomfort. Saliva is essential to keeping the environment in the mouth unfriendly to tooth decay by neutralizing the acids produced by those bad bacteria. Without enough saliva, you could be looking at increased plaque buildup, as well as being at higher risk for cavities and gum disease. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent dry mouth.The first step is making sure you’re drinking enough water. Dry mouth is, literally, dehydration in the mouth. Water is not going to fix everything,
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HOME OF KING CEDAR
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! California is the first place that comes to our minds when someone mentions redwood forests, but did you kn w that our state is home t the biggest redwood tree i North America east of the Cascades-Sierras? Called King Cedar because of its massive size, this tree is a 3,000-year-old Western Red Cedar outside the tiny town of Elk River, Idaho.
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?” How did it get so big? A stream runs right underneath the tree’s trunk, giving it its own consistent water source. If you want to see this giant for yourself, the trip to Elk Riv r is a 6-hour drive from the Tr asure Valley. Located withi the Naez Perce-Clearwat r National Forest, the Giant Cedar trailhead is paved and accessible, making it a great sight to see in t e Idaho Panhandle. While you’re there, check out some of the spectacular waterfalls nearby. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/r carea/ nezperc clearwater. Add this adventure to your must-see list for 2018!
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.
GEM STATE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE • Freezeout Challenge Where: Gem County Fairgrounds When: January 20, 2018 • Idaho Remodeling and Design Show Where: Boise Centre When: January 27-28, 2018
Elkin’s 6th annual ... food drive!
RASPBERRY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE SLOW COOKER
We collected over 1,000 pounds for our 6th Annual Food Drive! Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success! All donations collected were sent to the Friendship Coalition in Emmett.
Ingredients
• 1 cup white chocolate chips • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk • 2 cups heavy cream, divided • 3 cups milk (any variety will do)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 4 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or syrup
Instructions
1. In a slow cooker, combine white chocolate chips, condensed milk, 1 cup cream, and milk. Cover and heat on low about 2 hours. 2. In a large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. 3. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until stiff peaks form. 4. Serve mugs of hot chocolate with about 1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur or syrup to taste and a dollop of whipped cream.
(Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.)
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. What’s Changing in 2018? 2. The Resolution
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
3. How Much
4. Can Chicken Fat Cure Your Cold?
That Leads to Better Grades
Do You Know About Idaho?
1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617
A Word From Kalie and Caryn
Warm Up With Some Hot Cocoa
Visit us for a
WITH A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT ... Elkins Dental wants to help you ring in the New Year
We are giving away an all-inclusive seven-night Mexican Riviera Cruise!
Contact our office and watch for more details!
208-369-4532 elkinsdental.com
HAVE A TICKLE IN YOUR THROAT?
2 Strange Cold Remedies for the Winter Season
But Does It Work? Probably not.This remedy surfaced in England before drugs and vaccines eliminated contagious illnesses like diphtheria. While sweating does
The cruel winds of winter swirl just outside your window as you stoke the fire and curl up in the armchair nearby, eager to finally start that Agatha Christie novel. But as you stir your tea and pull on a pair of socks, you feel a slight tickle in your throat. Frantic, you reach for your trusty onion necklace… Yes, it’s as strange as it sounds. Among the countless cold remedies in the world, there are some that involve onion necklaces and others that require powdered frog skin. But most of the time, these superstitions do little or nothing to combat your infections. Take these two sock Some home-remedy enthusiasts encourage infected friends to grease their necks with chicken fat. After their skin is sufficiently coated, the afflicted wrap their necks with dirty socks, and warm and a little sticky, sweat out their germs. remedies, for instance. A Dirty Lard Scarf
them over your warm feet. Immediately add another layer of dry socks and hop into bed! But Does It Work? Maybe! This approach is a standard practice in hydrotherapy. Your body is surprised by the sudden change in temperature and increases its circulation rate.This could help clear your nasal passages and jump-start your immune system.
help rid the body of unwanted bacteria and germs, the dirty sock adornment served more as a reminder for the healthy to steer clear of their feverish neighbors. You’re Hot Then You’re Cold This holistic approach supposedly clears nasal congestion for a restful night’s sleep. Simply soak your feet in warm water until they’re hot and pink. While you’re sitting, let a pair of socks rest in a bowl of ice water. Wring them out, then pull
In the end, whether you’re experimenting with socks or just taking another dose of Nyquil, it’s important to fight your cold when it arrives. Get adequate sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and enjoy some chicken noodle soup. Your body will thank you!
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