H. Charles Jelinek Jr. DDS - January 2022

H. Charles Jelinek Jr. DDS - January 2022

January 2022

JEL INEK JOURNAL

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I NEED YOUR HELP! We Are Hiring—Do You Know Someone!?

As we finish the holidays and start another year, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest thanks to my loyal dental family. In the years I have been in practice, you have transformed from patients into a network of friends, colleagues, and family members. It’s an honor to have your trust each year, and I cannot ever express how grateful I am for your loyalty and patronage. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to serve a wide spectrum of patients. From government dignitaries — who come into the office with Secret Service members — to moms who are also school teachers, there could be someone from any walk of life in my dental chair. In doing so, I’ve treated a variety of issues and concerns, and today, my practice can easily be broken into three “departments.” (And sometimes this is a surprise to patients!) The first component of my practice includes everyday dental needs. This involves regular cleanings; teeth whitening; cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, crowns, and implants; and various other dental treatments like Invisalign or smile makeovers. This is a very standard practice for dentists everywhere, but my goal is to create an inviting, comforting space, where those with any anxiety about the dentist can feel safe, welcomed, and secure. My treatment recommendation for my patients is the same that I would recommend to my own family members. The second part of my practice is focused on helping those struggling with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain find the relief they deserve. Patients who are treated for this condition may experience headaches, migraines, jaw, neck and ear pain, teeth grinding, clicking and popping in their jaw joints, difficulty chewing, and lockjaw. This is often extremely frustrating and painful for clients, especially since the jaw is utilized in many everyday functions. I aim to help patients find relief with conservative treatment regimens (without surgery) that are designed for their specific TMJ needs. Finally, the last component of my practice is diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. As someone who has sleep apnea, I know how great of an impact sleep apnea can have on your well-being and daily life. There was a time when I needed regular naps and couldn’t get through the day without coffee. And my wife was always complaining about my snoring! Now, with

my oral appliance, I sleep soundly and start each day energized, awake, and ready for what lies ahead. I hope that my patients with sleep apnea will experience that kind of relief, too. And beyond that, I want to ensure they will live healthy, long lives.

Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can be very dangerous and deadly. In fact, it’s believed that former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s

death was caused by heart failure brought on by sleep apnea, and famous NFL player Reggie White also died of the condition.

So, why do I need your help?

It’s very simple: Because of your trust and support, we are growing tremendously. This is in no small part thanks to my wonderful staff; it’s rare that a week goes by without a patient complimenting my staff for their attentiveness and kindness. Now, we need to add more team members to this talented, fantastic team. We are hiring a patient treatment coordinato r (who will help patients referred into our clinic), a receptionist, and a clinical assistant. If you know someone who might fit in with our team, someone who has the caliber, knowledge, and passion for helping others, please call my personal cellphone at 703-969-8884 . I couldn’t have made it this far without you, and now, I need your continued support to ensure we can help others, too.

Please call me if you know someone who would be the right fit for my team. Thank you!

–Chuck

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4 Secrets to Finding Time to Read as a Busy Parent When you think of reading, you might conjure up an image of yourself curled up next to a cozy fireplace, sipping on coffee, and reading the day away. However, with the hustle and bustle of daily life and raising kids, it’s tough to find the time to truly dive into a good book. We know it’s important to read to our children, but we forget how valuable it is for them to see us reading, too. EMBRACE YOUR INNER BOOKWORM

Here’s How Sleep Better in 2022! As the new year begins, we promise to be healthier. For some, this means cutting down on their processed sugar intake, while others choose to exercise more. Both pursuits are part of a healthy lifestyle, but they are not the only components. As Dr. Jelinek often explains that if wellness were a stool, healthy eating, exercise, and sleep would be the legs that hold it up. Without one, the stool would tip over. And this is backed by science. Many studies have found that sleep deficiency is linked to heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, obesity, and many other chronic conditions.

So, how can you fit it into your schedule?

Don’t leave the house without a book. Whether you are waiting in the pickup line at school, at the dentist’s office, for your order at the coffee shop, or at your kid’s soccer practice, this downtime could be spent reading a chapter of your book. Schedule reading time. This one sounds quite silly, but as parents know, if you don’t make time for something, it won’t get done. Plan out 30 minutes of reading time each day to allow yourself to get comfortable and read without distractions. The trick here is to make sure you don’t cancel on yourself! Make it a family affair. Sometimes parents feel guilty when they take time for themselves that could be spent with their children. If this sounds like you, make time to read together — the kids read their books, and you read yours! Some days, this may last 10 minutes, but other times, they may stay captivated longer. Either way, you are creating healthy habits for your kids while getting in a chapter for yourself, too! Swap out the movies for books. Once the kids are tucked in after a long day, it sounds so nice to park yourself in front of the television with a cozy blanket and mindlessly watch a good movie or an episode of your favorite show. However, instead of watching TV for an hour, dedicate some or all of that time to reading. This way, you’re still making progress in your book.

So, how can you sleep better in 2022? And how do you know if you need to sleep better?

Signs of Poor Sleep If you’re unsure about how well you sleep, observe how you feel during the day. If you have the urge to nap, or if you “need” caffeine, feel groggy and exhausted by the afternoon, experience regular headaches, or start nodding off in quiet spaces, like while watching TV or waiting in traffic, these could all be signs that you’re not getting enough sleep. Most also point to a dangerous but very treatable condition: sleep apnea. What to Do About It Ignoring these issues is not the answer. In fact, that’s very risky! Instead, see a sleep doctor who can often order an at-home sleep test. This exam monitors your sleep habits and patterns. Dr. Jelinek can put you in touch with an excellent sleep doctor if you need a referral. When Dr. Jelinek did his sleep test, he stopped breathing 17 times … per hour! With the results of your sleep study, a specialist, like Dr. Jelinek who treats patients with sleep apnea, can help you get more restful sleep with a targeted treatment plan. Why You Need to Treat It As mentioned above, not getting enough or restful sleep can be damaging. (And it’s deadly.) After his sleep test, Dr. Jelinek was fitted for an oral appliance, and today, he wouldn’t dream of going to bed without it. He’s more alert and focused, he rarely has a headache, and he has more energy. Better yet, his heart is healthier because it’s not constantly struggling for oxygen. With a diagnosis and treatment plan, this can be your reality, too. If you believe poor sleep is hindering your life or your sleep could use improvement, please call 703-584-5996 to schedule a free consultation with H. Charles Jelinek Jr., DDS today. Learn more at NorthernVirginiaDental.com .

No matter how you make the time to read, you will be glad you did. Good luck and happy reading!

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A Healthier Smile in 3 Steps

If You’re Not Doing These Things, Start Now!

Use products with fluoride. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that adding fluoride to drinking water has decreased

There are many myths about dentistry, and sadly, these long-held beliefs prevent people from having proper oral health care. For instance, some people believe that pregnant women should avoid the dentist, but this is actually harmful! Women should get dental care during pregnancy — this protects mothers and their babies. Oral health care can be very simple! Stop complicating it this first quarter of 2022 and try these easy, yet beneficial, habits instead. Floss before bed. Flossing targets areas of your teeth that brushing alone cannot, helping prevent decay, pain, and gum disease. However, expecting patients to floss after every meal is not only overkill, it’s also unnecessary. Dr. Jelinek recommends that patients should floss once per day and do so at bedtime as well. The reason is fairly simple: When

you sleep, your mouth doesn’t produce saliva, which means your teeth are not regularly rinsed. This becomes a rich environment for bacteria to stimulate decay. But when you floss before bed, you lower this risk by removing the bacteria.

cavity rates in adults and children by 25%. It’s very

likely that your water contains this safe and useful additive. Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain fluoride add greater protection for your teeth when battling bacteria. Products that contain fluoride will be labeled as such! Bonus: Attend regular dental cleaning appointments by calling 703-584-5996 . You should see your dentist twice each year — unless your dentist specifies otherwise — to limit the impact of any potential concerns or issues.

Drink water after every meal. Staying hydrated is one of the most important tactics for overall health, but

making water consumption a common practice after a meal can boost the benefits of hydration. Water is a neutral substance, so it safely rinses away sticky food and bacteria. Think of this like “pre-brushing” or “pre-flossing.” Water can remove the large pieces, while a toothbrush and floss scrubs the corners.

ChickenWith Lemon Herb Sauce

Sudoku

INGREDIENTS

•

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

•

1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided

•

1/3 cup mint, chopped

•

4 boneless chicken breasts

•

1 1/2 tsp pepper

•

1 clove of garlic, minced

•

1 lemon, for juice and zest

•

1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed. 5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!

Solution on Pg. 4

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

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INSIDE

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I Need Your Help!

Make More Time for Reading

How to Sleep Better in 2022

3 Oral Health Habits Anyone Can Have ChickenWith Lemon Herb Sauce

Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights?

Airplane Ears

THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR EARS POPPING ON FL IGHTS

When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop!

Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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