H Charles Jelinek Jr DDS - October 2020

H Charles Jelinek Jr DDS - October 2020

October 2020

JEL INEK JOURNAL

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YOU ARE THE BEST ADVOCATE FOR YOUR HEALTH Don’t Let the Pandemic Take Away Your Preventative Care

Almost every disease, condition, or treatment has an awareness week or month. In October alone, there is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Physical Therapy Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Eye Injury Prevention Month, in addition to many others. While the calendar is saturated with these “holidays,” these special designations are one time out of the whole year in which the communities affected by these disorders or treatments take charge to educate others. As we enter into another month of the pandemic (and because of the multitude of health campaigns throughout October), I wanted to spread a little awareness of my own: It’s time that we got back to our doctors and our regular health routine. Our health has never been more important. As COVID-19 swept the U.S. and major cities braced for crowded hospitals this spring, we were all asked to do our part by staying home to help prevent further spread. As we learned more about COVID-19 and its effects on our lives, we held onto very strict precautions and guidelines. Now that we better understand this disease and have recovered from the initial shock, it’s time that we start living our lives, safely. Our doctors’ offices, eye clinics, and, yes, dental practices, have implemented many safeguards for our protection. With increased sanitation, mask requirements, and health screenings before each appointment, we can severely limit the risk of exposure. Furthermore, greater issues can occur without prevention. There are too many stories of patients who were fearful of a diagnosis or simply lived with their symptoms rather than seeking help. Some even sustained life- threatening diagnoses later as a result. Take colon cancer as an example. It should be rare to be diagnosed with colon cancer given the number of screenings and tests we have for this disease. It’s also one of the easiest forms of cancer to treat, especially when it’s caught early. But that’s the key: In order for treatment to be swift and effective, the condition must be caught early. Regular checkups, screenings, and tests monitor our health and allow our medical providers to catch diseases early or prevent conditions from happening. If we continue to shelter in our homes, and avoid our very necessary medical appointments, we risk disastrous medical consequences in the future. We risk increased

chronic conditions, painful treatments and surgeries, and additional costly procedures. I have even experienced the life-saving benefits of regular dental care. Yes, life-saving.

One of my friends, who is also a dentist, was treating a patient for a persisting jaw problem. My friend requested they take an MRI of the jaw to get a

better understanding of the condition. It was because of that MRI that radiologist noticed one of the patient’s lymph nodes showing positive signs of breast cancer. Thankfully, they caught the cancer early, treated it,

and as a result, that woman is still alive today — because she sought professional medical help.

Personally, I have a strict health regimen that I adhere to every single year. At the beginning of each year, I get my eyes checked, have my regular dental checkup, visit my primary care doctor, make an appointment with my gastrointestinal (GI) doctor, and visit my prostate doctor. I don’t have major medical concerns, but with my expertise and family background, I believe regular care and testing is vital to my health. We can let fear control our lives, or we can take control back. Let’s not let COVID-19 take preventative care away from our lives; we need it now more than ever. You are your best advocate for your health, so don’t let this pandemic force you to give that up.

Stay safe and go see your doctor. (And your dentist!)

– H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., DDS

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The Trick to Getting aWhiter Smile We all want a pearly white sparkling smile — one that almost *dings* when we flash it. Some people will try everything in the pursuit of shiny teeth: LED lights, gels, toothpastes, and extreme diets. They will try all of this for the desire to improve the color of their smile and increase their confidence.

Skip the Student Debt 3 WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE THAT AREN ’ T LOANS

Teeth whitening actually doesn’t have to be that complex. According to Dr. Jelinek, it can be as easy as sleeping!

Dr. Jelinek explains that Crest Whitestrips work great for about 70% of patients. This simple treatment involves placing a thin plastic strip over the teeth and below the gumline, and then folding the remaining material behind the teeth. Users only have to sit with the strange strips on their teeth for 5–45 minutes, depending on the desired effect and strength of the strip (according to Crest). However, this whitening option isn’t as effective for the remaining 30% of patients. The reason is fairly simple. Crest Whitestrips, and similar products, just don’t offer teeth enough exposure to be effective. Longer- lasting teeth whitening results take time and a strengthened whitening agent (but too much time and strength can damage your teeth). “If you ever keep a tooth dry enough, it will whiten up,” Dr. Jelinek says. “The moment you swallow is when all of the whiteness goes away. What whitening products do is they super-dry the tooth out. However, doing that for a long period of time isn’t good for the tooth or nerves.” Instead, Dr. Jelinek often prescribes a whitening agent that users can spread into a mouth tray. They are then instructed to sleep with that tray in their mouth, allowing the agent a full eight hours to activate and remove stains from teeth (all without damaging the smile by super-drying or applying quick-hit whitening techniques, like LED light kits). Note: Tooth- whitening LED light kits are not very effective due to the time. When you wake up, you’ll have a whiter smile that will last far longer than those produced by strips or lights. If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Jelinek’s tried-and-true (and easy!) whitening option, schedule an appointment by calling 703-584-5996.

We all know how expensive college can be. The bills can pile up fast, and in many cases, paying that debt off can take years, if not decades, especially if private loans are involved. That said, if you have kids who are getting ready to graduate high school, then don’t let the cost of higher education scare you away. If you can’t pay out of pocket, you can help your child apply for loans, but if you’re looking to mitigate debt, or eliminate it entirely, here are some other popular options. GRANTS Grants are similar to scholarships in that they don’t need to be repaid. Many colleges, states, and other organizations award grants based on a number of factors, like academic standing and the income of one or both parents as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA. A great starting point for parents who are helping their kids look for grants is the Federal Student Aid website: StudentAid.gov/understand-aid/ types/grants. WORK-STUDY Depending on your child’s financial need, their college or university may be able to set them up with a part-time position with an hourly rate on campus. Work-study positions are often community service oriented and/or matched with the student’s field of study, and the jobs in these programs may be on or off campus. Alternatively, students can also look for other on-campus jobs that aren’t part of a work-study program. Before the school year starts, many schools post job openings for positions like computer lab assistants or event caterers. PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS There is no shortage of private scholarships. The challenge is finding and applying for them. This can take time, but it’s often worth the effort. If you can’t find any scholarships your child is eligible for online, then try using an app like Scholly. It’s designed to help students and parents find and apply for scholarships without having to search all over the internet. Another great resource is your student’s high school guidance counselor. They often have resources about local and regional scholarships that may be worth looking into.

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DON’T LET YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY END UP HERE

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Think about it: You’ve paid your insurance bills all year long — so allowing your dental benefits to expire is like throwing all the money out the window ... or paying for a movie ticket, popcorn, and soda and then staying home to watch reruns instead. Now is the perfect time to schedule your dental appointment and take advantage of those benefits before they expire! We’ll make sure you are grinning as much as your jack- o’-lantern (but without all the missing teeth).

Don ’ t forget your beneFIts expire on 12 / 31 / 20.

It will be here before you know it!

P.S. Appointments will fill up fast. Call today!

Squeeze It In!

HOW FLOSSING CAN PREVENT COMMON CAVITIES

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Set a reminder on your phone! As you get ready for bed or for your day, your phone can remind you to prevent tooth decay with something as simple as flossing.

Not surprisingly, both of these facts influence one another. Often, cavities that develop between the teeth are the result of flossing neglect. As you’ve likely been reminded by popcorn or corn, food can easily sneak into the crevices between your teeth, and when it remains there, it can slowly eat away at your teeth. The only reliable way to remove food and plaque from between your teeth is to floss. When left unattended, cavities form. Sadly, these food particles are often left to cling to teeth and gums because many adults don’t floss. Regular brushing is an oral hygiene habit many adults have adopted, yet flossing remains one of the most forgotten oral health routines for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have even found that just 30% of Americans floss each day.

2. Add it to your to-do list. Who doesn’t love to check something off? Floss each day, and you can do that. 3. Have your spouse, children, or friends hold you accountable. You can influence the oral health of those around you and ensure you floss with some accountability buddies! Once flossing becomes a habit, you’ll find that the first thing you reach for when your food gets stuck in your mouth is that handy piece of floss, and you won’t have to worry about cavities. At your next appointment, our team can help you with more flossing tricks! Schedule an appointment today by calling 703-584-5996.

We’ve all experienced it. We’re just casually enjoying a bowl of popcorn or a juicy ear of corn, when, with one big crunch, our food is lodged between two teeth. We dig in with our fingers, try to wiggle it free with our tongue, and maybe even try a fork or two, before giving up and grabbing our floss.

This common scenario highlights two big problems with adult oral health:

If you’re struggling to remember to floss daily, try these three tactics to boost your flossing habit:

1. Most adult cavities occur between the teeth.

2. We don’t rely on floss enough.

Sudoku

Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad Nothing says summer like a pasta salad filled with your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables, and this combination is the perfect way to cap off a warm summer day!

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

8 oz penne or fusilli pasta

• • • • • •

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

2 tbsp olive oil

2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp sea salt Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp lemon juice

1 cup corn

6 cups arugula, packed

DIRECTIONS

3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese.

Solution on Pg. 4

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

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INSIDE

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Be an Advocate for Your Health

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How to Pay for College Without Loans Dr. Jelinek’s Trick to Getting aWhiter Smile

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Preventing the Most Common Cavities Among Adults Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad

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Are YourThrift Store Donations Being Thrown Away?

Are YourThrift Store Donations BeingThrown Away?

Are you thinking about donating your kids’ old clothes or that slow cooker you haven’t used in months? Though donating your

Famously, thrift stores still keep unsold goods out of landfills. Up to 75% of Goodwill’s merchandise, for example, isn’t sold in their stores. Instead, it’s sent to discount outlets and then into global markets. However, Mexican traders, who account for 30% of business at thrift stores close to the U.S. southern border, and Kenya, the world’s largest buyer of unsold secondhand clothes, have stopped buying during the economic shutdown. Meanwhile, some good-intentioned Americans are leaving their goods outside thrift stores’ front doors, not realizing that without enough space to house the excess donations, many of these thrift stores will have to pay disposal fees, costing the business potential revenue and sending your items into local landfills. However, Goodwill still wants your donations! You just might have to hold on to your items for a little bit. Check to see if your local thrift stores are open for donations. Many recommend waiting until the influx slows down, but others have expanded their inventory storage and are ready to keep up. Just make sure to follow their guidelines on acceptable items because any broken or worn items only add to their costs. Happy donating!

unwanted items is a great thing to do, amid the pandemic, many people have not considered the future of secondhand shopping and charity-based thrift stores like Goodwill. In 2018, Goodwill funded nearly $5.3 billion in charitable services, like educational

assistance, job training, and work placements. But now, Goodwill and similar organizations are facing a unique problem: They’re receiving too many donations. To prevent your items from ending up in a landfill, consider the following before you donate. Under the circumstances, this situation is understandable. Thanks to nationwide stay-at-home orders, many took advantage of their newfound spare time to spring-clean and subsequently donate unwanted items to charity. However, with the confusion about how long the COVID-19 virus can live on clothing, secondhand shoppers have been staying home, worried about the health risks of buying used goods.

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