Elkins Dental - March 2020

FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE

ELKINSDENTAL.COM MARCH 2020

SPRING BRINGS BASEBALL AND NEW BEGINNINGS

D id you enjoy watching the Super Bowl last month? It’s a fun event to look forward to after the holiday season has passed and a good reason to spend quality time with people. We got together with some of our friends and had a lot of fun cheering on the players and, of course, eating a lot of good food. It was a fun weekend. As we move into the spring, Russell is gearing up for his last season of city league baseball. He’ll be 15 this year, so if he decides to continue playing next year, he’ll need to try out for the high school team. I have memories of trying out for high school baseball, and it was a little intimidating for me to jump up to the next level with older, more experienced players. Fortunately for me, the town I grew up in was small enough that there wasn’t a lot of competition, and it was fairly easy to get on the team. For Russell, it will be a bit more competitive. I’m interested to see where the next year takes him with his interests in this next phase of school. For now, he’s looking forward to playing this season and having a great time on the city league. Spring is intricately tied into all things baseball for me, including cheering on Russell, playing the game myself, and watching the games. Most days, I’m catching some sort of MLB game on TV. My family members aren’t quite such diehard fans as I am.They enjoy the game, but it’s usually just me watching. This spring, I’m hoping to continue my mission to visit one new baseball stadium each year. I’m still not sure where that will take me this year — possibly to California or maybe Dallas. Going to Florida last year with my good friend was an amazing experience, and I feel lucky that I got to take that trip. I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures this year will bring. Later this month, Beth and I are taking Julianna to New York for her senior trip like we did for Evie. Over the last several months, Julianna has been thinking a lot about her plans for the next year. Originally, she planned to work for a year after high school, save up some money, and then go to college. Recently, though, she’s been planning to start college classes next year. She’d like to study business and Japanese.

Julianna really enjoys learning about Japanese culture, and she’s taught herself a lot of the language on her own. Now, she’d like to take some official language classes and learn the skills and knowledge needed to work in a company that does business with Japan. I’m excited to see where this dream takes her. It’s pretty wild to see our kids grow up. It happens so fast! First elementary school, then middle school, and now our second child is about to finish high school. Beth and I are so proud of each of our kids for making the most of the opportunities they’ve been given and for developing and pursuing the activities and interests that they have a passion for. What does spring have in store for you? –Dr. Elkins

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LEAVES OF 3, LEAVE THEM BE

What Do You Know About Poison Ivy? The days are getting longer, the

YOU CANNOT BECOME IMMUNETO POISON IVY. Urushiol oil triggers an allergic reaction in 85% of people, leading to the ensuing rash. Some people believe regular exposure to poison ivy can help develop an immunity to urushiol oil, but this isn’t the case. In fact, it’s just the opposite. About 15% of the population isn’t allergic to poison ivy, but the allergy can develop over time.The more you’re exposed to poison ivy, the worse your outbreak can become. IF YOUTOUCH POISON IVY, DO NOT POUR URINE ON YOUR SKINTO PREVENTTHE RASH. Urine, vinegar, dirt, bleach, and even gasoline are common “treatments” for preventing or curing a poison ivy rash. None of these are effective, and some can really hurt you. If you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, your best course of action is to wash your skin with soap and water. Cleaning off the urushiol oil within 20 minutes of exposure can greatly decrease your odds of developing a rash. When all is said and done, the best way to treat poison ivy is to avoid it altogether.The next time you’re exploring the great outdoors, just remember: Leaves of three, leave them be.

temperature is rising, and the great outdoors are calling your name. It’s time to start planning your summer adventures! Just remember to watch out for the enemy of all outdoor enthusiasts: poison ivy. Found in every state except Hawaii and Alaska, poison ivy — or more accurately, the rash-causing urushiol oil on its leaves — can quickly ruin a trip. Before you head out on your next outdoor adventure, make sure you get your facts straight. THE POISON IVY RASH IS NOT CONTAGIOUS. Many people believe the poison ivy rash can spread if the blisters pop, but the only thing that can cause the rash is urushiol oil.This is why it’s so important to clean your skin and wash your clothes as soon as possible. Urushiol oil can spread onto objects like doors or chairs, and you don’t have to touch poison ivy to have a reaction to urushiol oil.

CleanWith

Kalie & Amber

How Do I Get Rid of Bad Breath?

Another cause of bad breath is dry mouth. Saliva naturally helps break down food, but if you don’t have enough of it, then your body can’t break down the food particles as well, and that can lead to bad breath. Some medications can cause dry mouth too. We can recommend a few rinses for this, and you can find many useful products online. If you’re experiencing bad breath, combat it by first being really consistent with brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene is key to combating bad breath. It’s important to always make sure you’re rinsing your mouth with water after you eat. If you can brush your teeth after every meal, that’s even better. The idea is to get rid of any food left in your mouth. See your dentist twice a year so that they can remove plaque buildup and do a deeper cleaning if necessary. Getting your teeth cleaned helps remove the plaque buildup that causes bad breath. If you have gum disease, then you might consider using a Waterpik to remove any food particles between cleanings.

Today, we’re getting up close and personal with something that many people experience: halitosis, or bad breath. For anyone experiencing it, it’s not very fun. Luckily, we know many of the common causes and can offer simple ways to get rid of bad breath.

First off, let’s talk about why bad breath happens. One of the most common causes is leftover food in the mouth that begins to collect bacteria.

Halitosis can also be a symptom of gum disease.The bacteria can cause a bad taste in the mouth and may be a warning sign of gum disease. Because of the deeper pockets in the gums associated with periodontal disease, it can be harder to clean your teeth.This makes it all the more important that you come in for your regular cleanings. Tobacco products and smoking will also contribute to bad breath, and these habits are connected to gum disease as well.

-Kalie and Caryn –Kalie & Amber

2 | Elkins Dental

ORANGE GLAZED SALMON

Inspired by RealFoodWithJessica.com

Ingredients

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?” 4. Add ros mary, zest, and juice. Cook for another 3 minutes. 5. Stir in tapioca starch until lumps disappear and mixture thickens. 6. Plate salmon and top with orange sauce. • 1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice • 1 tsp tapioca starch

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! 1. Heat oven to 425 F, and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Salt each fillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Bake for 6–8 minutes. 3. In a saucepan, combine ghee and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Directions • 2 salmon fillets (10 oz total) • 1 tsp salt • 2 tbsp ghee

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.

• 1 tbsp garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped • Zest from 1 orange

GEM STATE? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE Joe Bonamassa When: March 17 Where: Morrison Center Treefort When: March 25-29

Where: Various Venues, Downtown Boise

DID YOU KNOW?

THE MAN BEHIND 'GREEN EGGS AND HAM' “I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am!” Few of us hear those lines without thinking of the children’s author Dr. Seuss. March 2 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and it’s also celebrated as National Read Across America Day. Books like “The Lorax” and “Horton Hears a Who” are beloved by children and adults

around the world. Seuss manages to give heartwarming lessons in his stories while making them a delight to read, thanks to his bright, imaginative illustrations and clever rhymes. Pay tribute to the author this month by sharing Seuss’ books with your children or nieces and nephews. Of course, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the whimsical stories just as much as they do.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Elkins!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Spring Happenings 2. Poison Ivy Myths Clean With Kalie & Amber

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

3. Orange Glazed Salmon

4. Meditation

and Pain Relief

Did You Know?

1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617

Happy St. Patrick's Day From Elkins Dental

208-369-4532 Elkinsdental.com

Luck

PRACTICE PAIN RELIEF The Benefits of Meditation Meditation has different meanings for different people. Traditionally, the act of focusing one’s mind has been used in religious and spiritual practices around the globe. More recently, it’s become a popular method of relaxation. Now, new research shows that this ancient practice may have yet another benefit: pain management. YOU’RE LUCKY is believing

In 2008, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey found that over 100 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain due to conditions like arthritis and debilitating injuries. Because of this, care providers have become focused on finding ways to help patients manage these persistent aches.The sensation of pain is caused by a complex interaction of biological and cognitive factors, leading scientists to study how mental exercises like meditation can aid in pain relief. Anecdotal evidence regarding meditation’s ability to reduce pain has existed for as long as the practice itself. However, modern technology has given researchers the means to accurately measure the effectiveness of this age-old tradition.The Department of Health and Human Services has cited MRI brain scans as proof that meditation can lead to moderate pain reduction.These scans revealed that the same areas of the brain stimulated by painkillers are activated when the mind is in a

meditative state.This supports the accounts of those who have reported better functionality after meditative sessions. With the ongoing tragedy of the opioid crisis, there is a dire need for pain management strategies that are noninvasive and not habit-forming, such as physical therapy. Meditation is easily accessible and can be used in conjunction with other pain relief strategies. Whether you sign up for guided meditation sessions, download one of the many mindfulness apps on the market today, or simply make time to sit and clear your mind for 30 minutes, it’s easy to add meditation to your normal routine.

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