Elkins Dental - August 2020

Elkins Dental - August 2020

FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE

ELKINSDENTAL.COM AUGUST 2020

MILESTONES AND LIFELONG BONDS

The Kids Are Growing Up

When I went off to college, it meant no longer being in the same room as my brother Russ, as we’d shared a room all our lives. It’s funny, though, I don’t really ever remember fighting for space. We’ve been fortunate that we’ve gotten along really well since we were kids. When I went to college, Russ would come up and visit me, and we wrote each other a lot of letters in the years that we weren’t in the same place. We’ve been playing the guitar and writing songs since we were kids, so when we weren’t living in the same state and one of us would write a song, we would record it on a handheld recorder and send it to the other person. I still consider our music gigs our brother time. We just get to go out there and have a great time. It doesn’t matter too much to us if the crowd is into what we’re playing or not, though it’s definitely nice if they are. But we’re really playing for us.

As the summer starts to wind down and fall approaches (don’t worry, I’m not accepting it yet, either), we’re getting ready to take Anna to Utah, where she’ll be working for the next year until she starts school. Utah State has a good program for International Business, and Anna is planning to learn Japanese while she’s there. She’d like to either live in Japan and work for a business there or live in the States and work for a company that works with Japanese businesses.

Julianna at her graduation

Anna is chomping at the bit to leave the house and move out on her own, and her sister, Leila, is eager to have her room. I understand what Anna’s feeling — when I finished high school, I was ready to leave and start college. When my dad dropped me off, I rushed our goodbye so I could start this brand new adventure. Of course, after living on my own for a few months, I realized how good I had it at home.There’s nothing like having to fend for yourself when it comes to food that makes you really appreciate home-cooked meals. Not to mention, once I realized that college was a lot harder than high school, I did start to get a little homesick. Still, spending a month at home between my freshman and sophomore year was enough to know that I was ready to move out and live on my own. It’s an important milestone for both parents and kids. It feels like we’re fulfilling our goal as parents: for our kids to grow up and live a life they enjoy that’s all their own. It’s a bittersweet moment, to be sure.The fact that Anna is moving out on her own makes me feel like I did a good job as a parent, but it’s still tough to see her go. Overall, though, I’m excited for Anna to start this next chapter in her life.

Russ and me playing at one of our gigs

Because we’ve known each other and played together for so long, we can communicate without having to say much. Russ knows just from a look that I’m about to stop playing or that it’s time to end the song. I’ve seen this connection between Evie and Anna. Being only a year and a half apart and having spent so much time together after Anna was born, they know each other really well. It’s pretty special to have bonds like these, and I know Evie and Anna will find ways to keep that going, even when they’re not in the same place, just like Russ and I have. Have a great August, and until next time,

–Dr. Elkins

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‘DAD, HOW DO I?’

How 1 Father Is Passing Along Life Lessons

In early April 2020, Kenney created a YouTube channel called “Dad, how do I?” and uploaded his first video, titled “How to tie a tie.” In the video, he gives a helpful hint for choosing a tie.Then he talks viewers through the process of how to tie a tie while demonstrating it on himself. As April progressed, Kenney uploaded a number of videos on other seemingly simple tasks, including how to unclog a sink, check the oil in a car, install a shelf, and even how to shave. As he continued uploading videos, he started to include dad jokes along the way. “So today I'm going to show you how to use a stud finder,” Kenney begins in one video. “If you came here looking for help finding a boyfriend, that would be a different stud finder.” Kenney hopes that, by uploading these videos, he can be there for someone who doesn’t have a parent around to teach them these things. And in the course of just two months, it looks like he is already doing just that. At the end of May, Kenney’s channel had over 2 million subscribers and thousands of people have reached out to Kenney to share their own similar experiences and express their gratitude and appreciation for everything he’s doing.

Being abandoned by a parent is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a child. Rob Kenney experienced this trauma firsthand when his father said he no longer wanted any of his eight children. Kenney was only 12 years old when his father walked out of his life. In an interview with Q13 News in Seattle, Kenney explained that after that experience, he decided that when he had children of his own, he would raise them into good adults and make sure they didn’t have a fractured childhood. But he didn’t stop there. Now 50, Kenney has a 29-year-old daughter and 27-year-old son who are living successful lives thanks to that decision he made many years before. However, even with an empty nest, Kenney realized he still had life lessons to pass on. After thinking about other young people in the world who have gone through the same unfortunate experience as he did, he decided to do something about it.

CleanWith Kalie Busting Common Dental Myths: Part II

Like I mentioned last month (go back and read the July edition if you missed it!), there are a lot of myths out there about the best ways to clean and care for your teeth.This month, I’m debunking a few more common myths around dental care and giving you the inside scoop on how you can best take care of your teeth. Ready to bust some dental myths? Let’s get started! MYTH: THEWHITERMY TEETH ARE, THE HEALTHIER THEY ARE! BUSTED! While white teeth can be healthy, they can also be unhealthy. There may still be gum issues or deeper issues that are happening below the surface.There are many things that cause teeth to darken — coffee, tea, and juice, to name a few — and teeth that aren’t bright white can still be healthy. Some folks have naturally white teeth but gums that aren’t as healthy, and vice versa. Routine dental care is always important, no matter the color of your teeth. MYTH: IF NOTHING IS BOTHERINGME, I DON’T NEED TO GO IN FORMY CLEANING. NUH-UH! Don’t make this mistake! For many dental issues, you won’t necessarily feel any pain or discomfort until the issue gets big. If you’re

waiting until something hurts to come see us, it’s going to be a bigger issue than if we’d spotted it during your regular cleaning. Waiting may mean you need a root canal whereas before you could have just gotten a filling. Wouldn’t you rather come in for a cleaning to prevent having to schedule an emergency appointment later on? MYTH:GUMDISEASE ISONLY A PROBLEMFORMYMOUTH. NOPE. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but gum disease is linked to a host of other health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Unhealthy gums are alerting you to the fact that there’s inflammation happening in the body. Your mouth is part of your body, so what’s happening there is always connected to your overall health.The good news is that the best way to keep your mouth and your whole body healthy is to come in and see us! The big takeaway? Your six-month visits are a really important way to keep you healthy. We can’t wait to see you for your next visit, and until then, keep up the brushing and flossing!

-Kalie and Caryn –K lie

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WORLD’S BEST VEGAN CHIMICHURRI

Ingredients

Inspired by Simple Vegan

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?” • 2 tbsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp salt (Himalayan pink salt recommended) • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper • Cayenne pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup oil (extra-virgin olive oil recommended) • 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar recommended) • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

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!

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. Directions

1. In a bowl, add all ingredients except cayenne and whisk until well mixed. If desired, add cayenne pepper a little at a time until you reach your preferred level of spiciness. 2. Serve immediately or, for an even better taste and texture, refrigerate for 1–2 days.

3. You may increase the batch size, but keep the ratio of oil and vinegar the same — 2-to-1. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.

JOKES DAD What did the drummer call his twin daughters? Anna one, Anna two!

What’s that Nevada city where all the dentists visit? Floss Vegas.

DID YOU KNOW?

I dream of summers that last forever

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Did you know this time of year is called the dog days of summer? Apparently, the ancient Egyptians and Romans noticed that Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, was extra bright this time of year, and they believed it was responsible for the extra heat.

As it turns out, these folks were on to something. Sirius, the most visible star from Earth, actually rises and sets with the sun from late July to mid-August, and it appears brighter this time of year. One of our favorite things about our canine friends here on Earth is that we can always count on them to pick up any food we drop or leave behind. Give your pup a little extra love this month, and enjoy the dog days of summer.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. August Happenings With the Elkins 2. Rob Kenney Is a Father to Many Clean With Kalie

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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World’s Best Vegan

Make the Most of Rafting Season

Chimichurri

1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617

Did You Know?

Happy August From Elkins Dental

208-369-4532 Elkinsdental.com

MAKE THE MOST OF RAFTING SEASON

And Enjoy a Day on the Water With These Tips Sure, August doesn’t mark the official beginning of summer, celebrate our nation’s independence, or give us a three-day weekend. But it offers something just as great: the best time of the year to be on

PROTECT YOURSELF FROMTHE SUN. It might seem counterintuitive to wear anything other than a swimsuit on a hot day on the river, but in most cases, you’ll be exposed to full sun while on the water, so covering up is crucial to preventing sunburns. Opt for a hat, sunglasses, and materials that will dry quickly. Rashguards and button-down shirts make great top layers, and long skirts, longer shorts, or yoga

the river. For rafting enthusiasts, the warm and dry weather in August means water levels are lower, and rivers can be a bit tamer than earlier in the season.This also makes August the perfect time for new rafters to try the activity. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day on the river. GOWITH AN EXPERIENCED GUIDE. If you’re planning to tackle any type of whitewater, it’s crucial that you go with an experienced raft guide. Whitewater can be dangerous, and only someone who knows how to expertly navigate rapids will be able to ensure you have an enjoyable, thrilling experience instead of a dangerous one.

pants on chillier days are all good options as well. BRING PLENTY OFWATER AND FOOD. One of the many fun aspects of rafting is spending a day — or even multiple days — on the river.

Make sure you bring plenty of reusable bottles filled with water for hydration. Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may want to pack a meal or two along with plenty of snacks that are easy to eat on the river. Most rafts will have a dry box where you can store food and other items that need to remain moisture-free. As you set out on the river, enjoy the solitude of connecting to nature away from the hubbub of the rest of the world.

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