Elkins Dental - November 2021

The Benefits of Positive Relationships

GOOD FOR MIND AND HEALTH

BOOSTED IMMUNE SYSTEMS It makes sense — people who have less stress have stronger immune systems. During times of high stress, our bodies are more susceptible to illnesses because our immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. The stress hormone corticosteroid can also lower the number of lymphocytes available to fight infection. However, when we are in a happy and loving relationship, our bodies produce oxytocin, and we are less likely to get sick. BETTER PHYSICAL SHAPE Being in a positive relationship, especially a romantic one, can provide the motivation to be the best version of ourselves. This includes our physical condition, too! Having a friend or workout partner to encourage accountability and even push us out of our comfort zone a bit at the gym can keep us motivated. Being in a positive, healthy, and happy relationship means we listen to each other, offer advice, openly communicate without judgment, practice respect and trust, and engage in healthy activities together. So, it’s no surprise that positive relationships work wonders for our health and happiness.

Connecting with other humans in a positive way is one of the most profound experiences we have. That positivity is one of the greatest virtues — it’s contagious, and engaging in happy relationships with others is extremely important not only for our minds but also for our health. LONGER LIVES Studies have actually shown that when people are involved in positive relationships, they live longer. This is likely attributed to decreased stress, as stress can exact a toll on the entire body. Positive

relationships can also encourage us to give up negative habits such as drinking or smoking, which cause many health problems and concerns. Healthy habits can help people live longer lives. QUICKER HEALING Positive people in our lives can distract us from pain, remind us to take medication, be our advocates, and simply reduce stress. And less stress means healing takes place faster. Those who have a support person feel more confident and prepared to undergo surgeries and fight illnesses as well.

A Word From Cheyenne

A Flawless Floss

2. Grasp the floss tightly

Flossing is more than just shoving a piece of floss between your teeth. It’s an important part of your oral hygiene and helps remove loose particles from in between your teeth to reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria that can build up in your mouth.

between your thumb and forefinger on each hand.

3. Using a soft and gentle rubbing motion, guide the floss between each of your teeth. Be sure to avoid“snapping”the floss into your gums. 4. When the floss does reach your gum line, gently slide it into the space between your gum and your tooth by curving the floss into a“C”shape. 5. While holding the floss tightly up against the surface of your tooth, rub the side of the tooth with a gentle touch, away from the gums in an“up and down”motion. Repeat this process on each individual tooth, and don’t forget the back side of the last tooth in the row! Never reuse floss, as it could lead to a buildup of bacteria in your mouth. If you have any questions, always refer to your dentist for the best tips and practices! Happy flossing! –Cheyenne, RDH

While we’ve all been told to floss daily, and we know it’s important for our oral hygiene, many don’t know the proper way to floss. It just isn’t enough to simply floss — it must be done correctly, as improper flossing can lead to damaging your gums and teeth. If you’re unsure about how to floss correctly, here are five steps to a flawless floss. 1. Break off approximately 18 inches of the floss and wind the majority of it around one of your middle fingers. Then, wrap the remaining floss around the middle finger of your other hand. This finger will receive the dirty floss after it cleans in between each tooth.

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