H. Charles Jelinek Jr. DDS - November 2021

H. Charles Jelinek Jr. DDS - November 2021

November 2021

JEL INEK JOURNAL

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BEING GRANDPA What I Love About Watching My Granddaughters Grow Up

There really are no words to describe what it’s like to be a grandparent. Whenever I get down on the floor and play with my granddaughters, it’s like we are in our own little world. (It’s a make-believe world, to be exact!) Hours could pass, and I wouldn’t notice. Every moment I get to spend with them is special, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in the world.

our over-the-top, little performer was just as excited. (Her younger sister was, too.) It was a fantastic way to celebrate Louisa.

Like any set of grandparents, my wife and I like to spoil our granddaughters a bit. My wife often finds little skirts, jackets, and other cute outfits for the girls, and she just loves

This October, my wife and I had the opportunity to celebrate an important milestone in our oldest granddaughter’s life. Louisa turned 4 years old in early October, and we were happy to make the trek to Richmond, Virginia, to celebrate. We knew the event would be theatrical and exciting — just like Louisa.

to see them wearing their new clothes. Admittedly, the girls do look very cute in their outfits! We gave Louisa a few more fun clothes to try on and strut around the house for her birthday, too.

Still, my wife and I both believe that being a grandparent is about so much more than spoiling your grandchildren. We believe the best gift you can give a child is unconditional love, no matter who they are or what they do. That support system is crucial to a child’s success.

She loves to be on stage, and any chance she gets to perform, she takes it. Louisa

has always been this way. When she turned 3 years old, she put on a fashion show with all the clothes and outfits she had been gifted that day! She relishes the role of performer, and now that she’s in ballet classes, I’m sure we will have plenty of opportunities to see her on stage. I can’t wait to see how she does in front of a real audience. If her early performances for our family have been any indication, she’s a natural.

Moreover, I believe it’s powerful to help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence. I can’t believe how many hours and lessons I could have saved myself if I only had a better self-image and the confidence to do something. If I can provide a better environment for that for my girls and my granddaughters, I’ll know I have done the best that I can for my family. Being a grandpa has truly been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Whether we’re playing make-believe or watching Louisa perform, in those moments, I’m incredibly grateful to be part of their lives and to hopefully positively impact them. Those are the memories I will always cherish, and if you’re a grandparent, I hope you do as well.

Of course, this grand day of celebrating wouldn’t be possible without Louisa’s parents, Sydney and Kelen. Sydney is my youngest daughter. There’s something strange and wonderful about watching your child become a parent, and I often watch Sydney in amazement. She makes me think, “Wow, why didn’t I think of that when I was raising kids?” She has embraced motherhood, and sometimes, I even find myself a little jealous of all that they do as a family. It’s great to watch them grow.

–Chuck

For her oldest daughter’s party, Sydney secured a small petting zoo, which set up a little experience at their home. I was really impressed! And

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THE BENEFITS OF POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Common Oral Health Concerns for Older Adults Your Age and Your Mouth There are a number of factors that affect the health and well-being of your smile, and your age can play a big role. If you’re 65 or older, keep these oral health reminders in mind to ensure your smile stays healthy and strong. Medication Drama As we age, taking medication daily can help regulate bodily functions, and while these drugs can increase longevity, they can also have detrimental side effects on oral health. In particular, many drugs may limit saliva production. This can promote decay, as your mouth relies on saliva to act as a natural toothbrush of sorts to clear away debris and plaque buildup. Without your spit, your teeth may be left defenseless! Talk to your dentist about supplements or toothpastes that can help stimulate saliva production. Drinking water will help, too. Chronic Condition Concerns Just as our need for medication increases as we age, general wear and tear may cause more ailments. Your risk of developing diseases like osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease increases as you age, and these conditions can affect teeth. For example, osteoporosis weakens your bones, and while teeth are not bones, they rely on your jawbone to function. So, jaw degeneration can cause problems for your teeth, too. To mitigate these effects, your dentist should be part of your comprehensive care team for a whole-body approach to treatment. Mobility Troubles When you’re in your 60s, you may not be as spry and limber as you were in your 20s. This is common, but as such, joint pain, inflexibility, and dexterity issues may cause you to struggle with daily tasks like flossing or bushing. If this is the case, speak with your dentist! They can help you find solutions that are designed to keep your mouth healthy without straining your body. For example, an electric toothbrush is easier to operate than a manual one, and it’s more effective. Our team at H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., DDS can help you overcome oral health aging obstacles. You can learn more and schedule your next appointment at NorthernVirginiaDental.com.

Good for Mind and Health

Connecting with other humans in a positive way is one of the most profound experiences we have. That positivity is one of the greatest virtues — it’s contagious, and engaging in happy relationships with others is extremely important not only for our minds but also for our health. Longer Lives Studies have actually shown that when people are involved in positive relationships, they live longer. This is likely attributed to decreased stress, as stress can exact a toll on the entire body. Positive relationships can also encourage us to give up negative habits such as drinking or smoking, which cause many health problems and concerns. Healthy habits can help people live longer lives. Quicker Healing Positive people in our lives can distract us from pain, remind us to take medication, be our advocates, and simply reduce stress. And less stress means healing takes place faster. Those who have a support person feel more confident and prepared to undergo surgeries and fight illnesses as well. Boosted Immune Systems It makes sense — people who have less stress have stronger immune systems. During times of high stress, our bodies are more susceptible to illnesses because our immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. The stress hormone corticosteroid can also lower the number of lymphocytes available to fight infection. However, when we are in a happy and loving relationship, our bodies produce oxytocin, and we are less likely to get sick. Better Physical Shape Being in a positive relationship, especially a romantic one, can provide the motivation to be the best version of ourselves. This includes our physical condition, too! Having a friend or workout partner to encourage accountability and even push us out of our comfort zone a bit at the gym can keep us motivated. Being in a positive, healthy, and happy relationship means we listen to each other, offer advice, openly communicate without judgment, practice respect and trust, and engage in healthy activities together. So, it’s no surprise that positive relationships work wonders for our health and happiness.

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A Closer Look

Why X-Rays Are Vital Dental Tools

When you break your arm or experience unexpected pain, a doctor may order an X-ray to examine bone and tissue structures they cannot readily see just by observing you naturally. Many of us don’t think twice about these procedures and often hope the process provides answers. But when it comes to dental X-rays, some patients are taken aback. Why does your dentist need to look at X-rays, and are they harmful? Why do you need to take X-rays regularly? Let’s examine the truth.

Furthermore, X-rays allow dentists to map out the facial structures and composition of your mouth. These are done every three years and can detect tumors, cysts, and structural abnormalities in all stages of progressive deterioration. Once again, early detection can be beneficial in treating these ailments.

But what about radiation? Contrary to popular belief, dental X-rays have little to no radiation exposure and are safe for patients of all ages. Some dental practices use standard oral health X-ray machines, which give off very minute waves of radiation. However, our team at H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., DDS uses digital X-rays, which do not give off radiation. While you should never fear the radiation amount of an oral health X-ray, our patients literally have nothing to worry about! X-rays are a vital component to a healthy oral environment. If it’s been a while since you last visited the dentist, or if you have further questions about dental X-rays, our team can help. Schedule your appointment at NorthernVirginiaDental.com.

Why do dentists take X-rays? Like at a doctor’s office, X-rays allow dentists to see the reality of your oral health beyond what they can examine with the eye or magnification. Dr. Jelinek explains that doing so regularly allows him to catch 70%–80% of cavities before they become visible and cause more decay. Early detection of cavities allows for easier, less invasive treatment. This can also protect the integrity and structure of the tooth from decay. These cavity-detecting X-rays are done once every year.

Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

Sudoku

INGREDIENTS

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1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1/2 cup chicken stock

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1 lb Mexican chorizo

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1 white onion, chopped

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1 carrot, chopped

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1 celery rib, chopped

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1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing

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3 garlic cloves, chopped

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2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled

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Cilantro, for garnish

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Cotija cheese, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

Solution on Pg. 4

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

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INSIDE

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The Best Parts of Being a Grandpa

The Benefits of Positive Relationships 3 FactorsThat Can HarmAging Mouths

Your 2 Biggest X-Ray Questions Answered! Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

Football andThanksgiving: AMatchMade in Marketing Heaven

Football andThanksgiving: AMatchMade inMarketing Heaven

Last year, 30.3 million people tuned in to watch the NFL’s Thanksgiving showdown between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys. For those Americans (and probably for you if you’re reading this article), football is as essential to Thanksgiving as turkey and stuffing — but why? As it turns out, there are two answers to that question. The first is that games have been played on the holiday for almost as long as it has officially existed. Thanksgiving became a holiday in 1863, and just six years later, the third American football game in history was played on it.

more fans, his team would make a point to always play on Thanksgiving when most people were off work. To sweeten the pot, he committed his radio station (an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network) to broadcasting the Thanksgiving game live on 94 different stations across America. This idea was a hit from day one! According to Sporting News, the long- unloved Lions “not only sold out the stadium, they also had to turn people away at the gates.” In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys signed on to play every Thanksgiving, too, for similar publicity reasons.

According to SB Nation, the Young America Cricket Club and the Germantown Cricket Club faced off in that inaugural Thanksgiving game in Philadelphia, and football has been played on Thanksgiving pretty much ever since! When the NFL was founded in 1920, the Thanksgiving game was official from the get-go. The second reason we watch football on Thanksgiving is more about money than tradition. In 1934, a Detroit Lions coach, George A. Richards, decided that in order to attract

Since those early days, football-themed traditions have flourished in American families. Apart from watching games on TV, one of the most popular is organizing a pre-turkey game of family touch football a la the sitcom “Friends.” (Its famed episode “The One With the Football” aired Nov. 21, 1996.) If you’ve never organized a game, this could be your year! To get started, Google “Scott’s Family-Friendly Touch Football” and click the first link.

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Don’t LEAVE Your Benefits Behind! You’ve paid for them all year, so don’t let your dental benefits expire! Now is the time to use them or lose them! Call us today to schedule your appointment so your benefits don’t go to waste. With the holidays just around the corner, you’ll want to get your appointment booked now so you can show up to every feast with a perfect smile. Appointments are filling up fast, so call us today to book your appointment so you can use your benefits before you lose them! www.NorthernVirginiaDental.com 703-584-5996

Don’t be a turkey —waiti g until December to schedule your appointment could leave you out in the cold!

3 Things to do before your dental benefits expire this year: • Make sure you’ve used your dental exam and preventative care appointments for the year. • Use your maximum yearly allowance. If your benefits aren’t used, you lose them as they do not roll over to the next year. • Don’t put off dental treatments that could end up costing you more in the long run. Make an appointment today to get a treatment plan in place.

In previous years, over 74% of patients who waited until December to use their dental benefits we unable to get appointment. Call us TODAY and don’t delay! www.NorthernVirginiaDental.com 703-584-5996