Comfort Family Dental - January 2022

Comfort Family Dental - January 2022

2036 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

JANUARY 2022

What Really Causes Bad Breath? HOW TO FRESHEN UP FOR THE NEW YEAR

After brushing your teeth, do you ever feel like your breath isn’t as fresh as you’d want it to be? There might be a reason for that. Unfortunately, chronic bad breath is a real condition and may be a symptom of a greater oral disease that can affect the health of your entire body — and, in many cases, even your confidence in social situations. Let’s dive into why bad breath occurs and how to fix it. Why does our breath change its smell? There are numerous factors that affect our breath. A common reason why our breath will smell is simply because of leftover particles of food . You might dislike the smell of food that’s been left outside for a long while. Now, imagine food that’s been stuck in your mouth for days or even weeks. It’s a warm, wet environment, and while it may not be poisonous to you, it can still cause seriously bad breath. Second, dentures that aren’t cleaned properly or don’t fit properly can harbor odor- causing bacteria or food particles, so make sure you clean them regularly! It’s not only for your breath but also your health. If you have problems with your dentures being the wrong fit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us so we can help you fix them. Third, dry mouth (or xerostomia) can contribute to bad breath since your production of saliva is decreased. That’s right — you don’t need to spit when you have bad breath, because saliva helps maintain positive oral health and reduces bad breath. Chronic dry mouth (caused by problems in

“If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, you aren’t able to remove all of the odor-causing bacteria and food particles you need to in order to maintain fresh breath.”

salivary glands and some diseases) can lead to problems preventing cavities and bad breath. Some medications can have a side effect of dry mouth and require patients to give their oral health extra attention. Fourth, smoking or utilizing tobacco products can also cause bad breath for two reasons: the distinct smell of tobacco and the increased likelihood of gum disease by using or smoking tobacco. Last but certainly not least, of course, is poor dental hygiene and/or gum disease. These are often the main contributors to bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, you aren’t able to remove all of the odor-causing bacteria and food particles you need to in order to maintain fresh breath. Additionally, with gum disease or periodontitis,

plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums will cause terrible breath — on top of increasing your risks for other diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The simplest way to prevent bad breath isn’t only brushing your teeth but also flossing regularly. In some rare cases, bad breath can persist despite regular oral care, especially if you already have periodontitis (an irreversible disease), have chronic reflux of stomach acids (GERD), or are a young child with bad breath caused by a foreign body, such as a piece of food lodged in a nostril. However, preventing bad breath can still be in your power — just talk to your oral health experts at Comfort Family Dental. I can certainly help you get fresh breath again.

– Dr. Corie Rowe

773-366-8718 • 1

Hobbies also provide eustress . Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under-stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures. Hobbies offer a social outlet. Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you! Hobbies develop patience. When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching! The Importance of Having a Hobby Skills That Enrich Us

January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren’t just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why! Hobbies are stress relievers. Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time.

QUIP TOOTHBRUSHES: ARE THEY WORTH IT? We Say No for Daily Use, but Yes for Travel If you’ve used Facebook or walked into the dental care aisles of Target, there’s a good chance you’ve seen advertisements and displays for a very attractive, minimalistic looking toothbrush: the quip toothbrush.

Because it’s a low-powered sonic toothbrush, the original quip toothbrush isn’t built to compete with high-powered counterparts. However, it’s very compact and easy to travel with, unlike most sonic toothbrushes that require heavy or inconvenient charging basins. Conveniently, the quip’s brush cover can double as a wall holster or travel cover.

power (with regular battery replacements, of course). Although the initial cost is higher, the replacement brush head plan is competitively priced at only $5 every few months. If you’re looking for a new, regular, powerful toothbrush to clean your teeth with higher efficiency and less effort, then the quip toothbrush won’t make you happy. The low- powered sonic capabilities of the quip simply won’t get the job done like higher-powered toothbrushes can. However, if you want a minimalist toothbrush that will save you money in replacements while being convenient for travel, then you might enjoy having a quip in your purse, bag, or suitcase at all times.

The quip toothbrush isn’t like most electric toothbrushes because it’s very modern- looking yet also more familiar-looking than most other electric toothbrushes. That’s because the quip toothbrush doesn’t have a motor that moves the head of its toothbrush in circles. Instead, the bristles are inlaid on a flat piece of plastic that vibrates. The toothbrush boasts that it’s become popular among the younger generation and actually encourages people to brush, thanks to its good looks. However, that doesn’t mean it performs as well as other electric toothbrushes on the market.

So, for whom is the quip toothbrush a good fit?

If you’re a traveler who dislikes high- powered toothbrushes and are willing to spend between $30–$60, the quip toothbrush may be for you. It may require more work to clean your teeth, but it’s a great tool and, according to many reviews, lasts a long time. Even after a couple years of use, many users say it hasn’t lost sonic

2 • WWW.COMFORT-FAMILYDENTAL.COM

This Sport Could Keep You Fit Through the Winter Biking … in the Snow? If you visit Long Island this winter, you just might see talk show host Jimmy Fallon Trouble on the Trail In some ways, that boundless joy is warranted

zooming through the streets on a fat-tire bike. These bikes look a little silly, but their wide (4–6 inches) tires are grippy enough to let New Yorkers like Fallon commute even on the snowiest days. Outside of the city, fat biking is a popular sport on snowy mountain trails where a street bike would never survive. 3 Reasons to Ride If you already love cycling, investing in a fat-tire bike can help you extend your bike season and enjoy the sport all year round. It’s also a great way to stay in shape! As Bicycling magazine puts it, “On a fat bike, you can burn up to 1,500 calories an hour in soft conditions — seriously. But you’ll also recover faster than if you went for an hourlong run.” Finally, zooming through the snow on a bike is just fun. As Singletracks writer Michael Paul says, “They make you feel like you’re 8 years old again — you’ll be hard-pressed to wipe that grin off your face!”

because winter fat biking can actually be safer than summer mountain biking thanks to the deep snow that cushions falls on trail sides. That said, it’s still important to choose your route wisely and take precautions. The International Mountain Bicycling Association suggests bringing along ice fishing picks and rope if you ride across ice and watching the weather to avoid slush. Bikers should also bring provisions, dress properly, and use proper trail etiquette depending on where they ride. Visit IMBA.com/Node/1865 to learn more. A Final Reality Check The biggest downside to fat-tire biking is the expense: “Budget” bikes start at over $500 and quality rigs can cost more than $3,000! Fortunately, you can rent fat-tire bikes by the day in most mountain towns and ski resorts. Also, fat bikes aren’t just for winter — if you invest in one, you can ride it all year round. For a full beginner’s guide to fat biking, visit FatBikePlanet. com/how-to-ride-a-fat-bike-for-beginners.

“Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.” –BRIAN TRACY

Take a Break

773-366-8718 • 3

2036 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2 2 3

What Causes Bad Breath? Why Hobbies Are Important

What We Think About quip Toothbrushes The Coolest Winter Sport You’ve Never Heard Of Take a Break The Lost Art of the Thank-You Note

3 4

Bringing Back a Lost Art YOUR GUIDE TO WRITING A THANK-YOU NOTE

A 2019 survey by Ask Your Target Market showed 80% of respondents appreciate receiving thank-you notes — but only 22% of respondents report regularly sending them. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. During the holiday season, you probably received several gifts and may have been hosted at a family member’s house, so now is the perfect time to revive the dying art of the thank-you note. If it’s been a while since you last wrote one, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. KnowWhen a Note Is Needed. You should strongly consider sending a thank-you note any time you receive a gift, but they are particularly expected after big events like weddings or showers. It’s also good form to send a note whenever someone has done you a big favor or hosted you at their house. Professionally, thank-you notes should always be sent after job interviews. Notes should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month of the gift or event. Use Paper. It may seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly what makes it special. In fact, the Ask Your Target Market survey found that 72%

of respondents thought handwritten notes were more meaningful than electronic ones. Even if your handwriting is messy, your recipients will appreciate the personal touch. Exceptions apply for thank-you notes sent after job interviews — due to time sensitivity, these are best sent via email.

Be Specific. Especially when you’ve got a large stack to get through, it’s pretty tempting to write the same note over and over again, changing only the salutation. Don’t give in! While it’s fine to have a template, recipients will recognize when the note you sent them is generic. Be sure to mention exactly what you’re thankful for (not just “the gift”) or how you plan to use the gift. Now, you’re ready to let people know how much you appreciate them in a way that’s both simple and classic. Your family, friends, and colleagues will be impressed, and who knows, you just might start a trend.

4 • WWW.COMFORT-FAMILYDENTAL.COM