Elkins Dental May 2018

Elkins Dental May 2018

FOR A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE

ELKINSDENTAL.COM

MAY 2018

A SALUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVE

And the Strength of Mothers

to go through another deployment, so I decided to leave the military when my term of service was up. It’s something families go through every year — being separated while one spouse is deployed. For any of you experiencing this, know that you have the strength to make it through. Knowing what it’s like to be away from family, I’m all the more appreciative to spend holidays together. For Memorial Day, we’ll likely either go camping or have a barbecue with friends and family. I’m eager to put the smoker to use this season, and I’m sure there will be a request for our family favorite: smoked jalapeno poppers. However you spend your May, enjoy the two holidays this month. To all those who gave their lives in the line of duty, we salute you.

call was the only time we heard his voice. We did visit him a few times that year for big holidays, but for the most part, it was as if my mom was a single parent. While my dad was finishing out his time in the Navy, she raised the six of us and held our family together. It certainly was a memorable year, but it wasn’t the last time my family was separated during military service. When I was in the Navy, I spent two years on a ship, and my wife Beth did nearly the same thing my mom had done. For those two years, over the course of two deployments, we were miles apart and stayed in touch via emails and phone calls. Our fourth child, Leila, was born while I was deployed. Beth did an incredible thing, raising our kids and giving birth to another while I was away. It wasn’t easy, I know, and I am beyond grateful to her. Both my mom and Beth displayed strength and bravery while their spouses were away. The military treated us well, but given the circumstances, we liked co- parenting and being together too much

With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day this month, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the military has been a part of our family and how the strength of women held our family together while their spouses were deployed. My mom is a strong person. For a whole year while my dad was serving, she raised my five siblings and me in another state. We were a military family, and we moved quite a bit for my dad’s job. When it came time for him to retire, one year before he reached his 20-year mark, the Navy transferred him back to Southern California. We were living in Nevada at the time, and my parents weren’t eager to settle in Southern California. So instead of the whole family moving to California for my dad’s last year in the Navy, my parents decided that my dad would go, and the rest of the family would stay in Nevada. Can you imagine making this decision? It must’ve been tough. For a whole year, we only spoke to my dad on the phone. Remember, there was no video chat or email at the time, so a phone

–Dr. Elkins

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ROAD TRIPS DON’T HAVE TO BE PAINFUL

be fun for the whole family: a traditional road trip game. If you have a car full of storytellers, try “Fortunately, Unfortunately.”The rules are simple. The first person starts by saying, “fortunately,” and mentioning something good about the road trip or the destination. The next person (moving clockwise) then follows by saying something “unfortunate” about the previous person’s statement. Take turns with every passenger in the car. If someone stumbles, they get a strike; three strikes and you’re out. The last passenger standing wins. PLAY AN AUDIOBOOK OR PODCAST We get it. Sometimes passengers don’t want to play games. Occasionally, they’d rather relax or take a nap. However, your listening material doesn’t have to be limited to Dad’s favorite music. Instead, consider listening to a family-friendly audiobook or podcast, which can make the longest and most boring parts of your trip an entertaining or educational experience. Almost any popular book is available in audio form, but it can be hard to find an enjoyable podcast. “Transistor” is a science-focused podcast that explores subjects kids and adults will find fascinating. Or if you’re looking for something fictional, try “Storynory,” in which the narrator tells fairy tales and legends from all over the globe.

Summer is right around the corner, which means you’ll soon pile the whole family into the car, ready to brave the road for a vacation. Everyone knows that riding in the car for hours can be torture. But with a little creativity, you can turn the worst part of

a long trip into a fun event. PACK A TRAVEL GAME When the excitement of the family vacation starts to wear off, keep the peace and entertain your kids with a travel game. Many board game manufacturers offer travel-sized versions that are easy to pack and play in the car. Before your next road trip, consider purchasing digital Yahtzee, which packs all the fun of the classic game without the dice, or IQ Fit, a logic game with over 100 challenges. Both games cost around $10 and can provide hours of entertainment.

INCLUDE THE WHOLE FAMILY Once the travel games no longer pique anyone’s interest, try an activity that can

A Word From

Kalie and Caryn

opportunity to switch up their home care to reverse the symptoms of gum disease. We always go case by case. Our office offers laser therapy to treat gum disease and help establish a healthy environment for teeth.We run our state-of-the-art laser, the Gemini Diode, through the gums and take layers of disease off, encouraging healthy tissue growth, tightening up tissues, and killing bacteria that’s developed in the gum pockets. There are a number of reasons people develop gum disease, some of which is beyond their control. For example, some people are simply genetically predisposed to it. Often, though, home care and regular preventive care are the solutions. If plaque is not being removed by brushing, it mineralizes and begins to go under the gums, creating bad bacteria. Our best-case scenario is to handle that bacteria in the beginning stages before it releases more toxins. It’s pretty crazy what some bacteria can do beneath your gums! That’s why it’s so important to treat patients at the first sign of gum disease. So, what’s the best way to prevent periodontal disease? Keep up with your home care — flossing is crucial — and keep your reservations.We’ll hopefully never have to go subgingival.

It’s time to go deeper — into professional cleanings, that is. We’re covering the first type

of deep cleaning: scaling and root planing 1-3 teeth. In the first two professional levels of cleanings, prophylaxis and gingivitis, we focus on the area above the gums. When we notice bleeding gums and bone loss, though, it signals to us that it is necessary to go below the gums for a deep cleaning. To determine the right course of treatment, we take digital X-ray pictures so we can see buildup. We also explore each tooth to confirm the presence of gum disease, looking for bleeding pockets and checking bone levels. With most cases, if it’s localized — only a couple teeth are affected — patients have the opportunity to go back to prophylaxis cleanings once we resolve the symptoms. If bone levels are okay, patients have the

–Kalie and Caryn

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Ingredients

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH ASPARAGUS

• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper • Salt and pepper to taste • Grated pecorino Romano cheese

• 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak • 2 tablespoons canola oil • 1 pound asparagus

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! Instructions

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?” 1. Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. 2. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak.

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.

Inspired by Food Network

GEM STATE? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE 2018 Komen Boise Race for the Cure

Barons Shriners Car Show Where: El Korah Shriners When: Sunday, May 20

Where: Albertsons HQ When: Saturday, May 12

3 SPOTS TO CHECK OUT YOUR SUMMER FISHING DESTINATION Wondering where to reel in the biggest catch? Check out these three Idaho locations to find your ideal summer fishing spot. THREE ISLAND CROSSING STATE PARK Head about an hour east of Boise to Glenns Ferry, and you’ll be where pioneers first crossed the Snake River.This historic location also happens to be an angler’s dream fishing spot. Entrance to the park is $5 per vehicle; camping and amenities are also available. BIGWOOD RIVER It’s a few hours outside the Treasure Valley, but this 137-mile river spanning Sun Valley and Gooding boasts three varieties of trout and glorious mountain views. C.J. STRIKE RESERVOIR The travel experts at Visit Idaho call C.J. Strike Reservoir “one of the most accessible, family-friendly fishing and camping locations in the state.” Located near Bruneau, it’s home to crappie, bass, catfish, rainbow trout, and sturgeon. Tip: Idaho requires a fishing license for anyone age 14 and older. Learn more through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

We are giving away an all-inclusive, seven-night MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISE!

Leave us a Google or Facebook review for two bonus tickets to win!

Call our office to learn about more chances to win.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Paying Tribute to Two May Holidays 2. How to Make Your Road Trip a Breeze Kalie and Caryn Talk About Deep Cleaning

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

3. Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus

4. Can Drinking Cold Water Hurt You?

1110 S. Washington Ave. Emmett, ID 83617

3 Can’t-Miss Fishing Spots in Idaho

Elkins Dental Wishes You a

Happy May

208-369-4532 Elkinsdental.com

IS COLD WATER BAD FOR YOU? Separate Fact From Fiction

regulating its internal temperature. When you drink cold water, your body works to bring your temperature and circulation back to normal. By the time fat solids hit your digestive tract, they’ve softened up quite a bit, and your body digests them normally. No matter what temperature you like your beverages, water does your body good. Plus, water is one of the best, free weight-loss tools around. When you replace all other beverages with water — cold, warm, or hot — your body feels full longer without added calories.

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Drinking cold water causes blood vessels to constrict, which decreases circulation, so your body is unable to digest nutrients and water as effectively as it would otherwise. Cold drinks turn certain fats solid after consumption.These solid fats are harder to digest, and fats are crucial to the absorption of certain fat-soluble nutrients. Cold water weakens the immune system. It triggers mucus production and strains your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to illness. There is some truth here. Drinking cold water does cause blood vessels to constrict. It can also cause some fats to turn solid. But that’s where the truth ends, and the science gets a little shaky. There are no scientific studies that indicate drinking cold water is bad for you. One important thing to keep in mind is body temperature. Your body is usually good at

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Have you ever come across an article claiming you shouldn’t drink cold water? According to some sources, ice water and other iced beverages are harmful to your health. But is there any truth to it? Let’s look at the three most commonly cited reasons:

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