Ustick Dental - December 2020 / January 2021

Ustick Dental - December 2020 / January 2021

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DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021

BACK TO ‘NORMAL’?

Not Yet, But Soon

Every January, we ask ourselves the same question: What can I look forward to this year? Many people are eager to put 2020 behind them, and who can blame them? I try not to focus on the negative, and although this Christmas is not the same as past years, it is only temporarily modified. I am grateful for the creative ways we are able to communicate and “be together” as a family. Speaking of things that have been different for 2020, we had to cancel our Patient Appreciation Day in May. It’s hard to ignore something like that. So, I suppose that’s the first thing I’m looking forward to this coming year, at least as far as business goes. But it’s about more than just appreciating our patients. After all, I often tell our patients how wonderful they are. It’s no secret that I think we have the world’s best patients. It might not be easy, but they take all kinds of dental work in stride and come out smiling.

kind of normal. And I believe that will happen with the several strong vaccines on the cusp of being distributed and even more in the works. It won’t happen overnight, but as long as we all continue to be safe and take our medicine when it’s made available, “normal” will happen sometime this year. Aside from seeing family and patients more, I’m also looking forward to continuing to grow our practice. With three doctors and a full deck of hygienists, we’re able to provide the best service for our existing patients and have the capacity for new patients, as well. Treating people’s teeth and gums is my calling, and I’m excited to help more patients in 2021 than ever before. What are you looking forward to this year? I can tell you right now to start looking forward to our Patient Appreciation Day in 2021 — after canceling last year, Ustick Dental Office will more than make up for it!

-Dr. Rigby

For me, being able to see my family all together and have Patient Appreciation Day will mean that the world has returned to some

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3 New Games to Entertain You Through the Holidays SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS? IT’S BOARD GAME TIME!

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the games are so delightful …”

acquire territory and snag the best food. Gameplay is done in rounds that include four stages: stalk, chase, resolve, and advance. The game is rated for 3–6 players ages 10 and up. 2. HALF TRUTH: BRILLIANT MINDS MEET HERE If you’re a fan of Trivial Pursuit, you’ll love Half Truth. At its heart, it’s a trivia game, but it ups the stakes by giving players the opportunity to bet on how many correct answers they’ll get. Really though, there’s only one thing you need to know about this game, and Thrillist said it best: “It’s the brainchild of legendary Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield and 74-time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings.” What a pedigree! Everyone 12 and over will want a seat at the table. 3. GETCREWD: A PLAYGROUND FOR MOVIE BUFFS getCrewd is a card game that comes in a retro-style film can, and that single trait speaks volumes. In this PG-13-rated game, you play a film producer in search of the perfect actor, director, and crew to make your movie happen. However, the deck will keep throwing obstacles in your way, including everything from flash floods to writers’ strikes. If you have a competitive side, you’ll love this mad scramble to the finish line.

Those might not be the exact lyrics from the famous Christmas carol, but it’s true that decks of cards and various board games get many families through the holiday season. You can only rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” so many times before the jokes grow stale. While new movie releases can be fun, many have been stalled this year because of the pandemic. Luckily, board games are still coming out on schedule. If you’re on the hunt for alternatives to Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, check out these fresh 2020 games, which all come recommended by the experts at Thrillist.

1. THE ALPHA: A NATURE LOVER’S DREAM GAME If your childhood dream was joining a wolf pack like Mowgli in “The Jungle Book,” this is the board game for you! The Alpha is a beautifully illustrated strategic game where players act as pack leaders and compete with other players to

With these games in your cabinet, you won’t even notice the snowbanks outside!

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Thumbsucking

AND YOUR CHILD’S ORAL HEALTH

Put a stop to thumbsucking. Typically, a child stops sucking their thumb or pacifier when their primary teeth come in, usually around 2–4 years of age. If, however, they are an aggressive thumbsucker, it might be harder for them to break the habit. A few methods can help wean your child from their thumbsucking. • Praise and reward your child for not sucking their thumb. • Eliminate any triggers that lead your child to comfort themselves through thumbsucking. • Use mittens to prevent a child from sucking their thumb or fingers in their sleep. • If the child is older, work together to find a method for stopping the habit. • Encourage your dentist to educate your child about the importance of stopping thumbsucking. Taking an active role to help your child drop these potentially harmful habits allows them to develop healthy oral care that will last a lifetime.

When a child is upset, a common reflex is to start sucking their thumb or reach for a pacifier. While this may bring them (and you!) short-term comfort, thumbsucking can also damage their teeth. Understand the impact of sucking on a pacifier or thumb. As infants, thumbsucking isn’t necessarily a problem. However, if a child develops a habit of sucking their thumb or a pacifier when their permanent teeth begin to come in, it can quickly cause issues. Constant sucking on a thumb or pacifier impacts the proper alignment of permanent teeth in the mouth. Additionally, it can impact how the mouth grows and even how the roof of the mouth forms. Other effects include the following:

• • • •

Poor speech development

Modified swallowing action of the tongue

Altered breathing

Calluses on the fingers or thumb

TAKE A BREAK TAKE A BREAK These problems can vary depending on how intense the habit is. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth.”

VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com Simple Nothing pulls together a salad quite like a delicious Caesar dressing. This easy vegan recipe takes just five minutes to make and keeps for 5–7 days in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp capers, minced • 3 tsp caper brining juice • 1 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Hot water, as needed

• 1/4 cup hummus • 5 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp spicy mustard • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp lemon zest

Directions 1. In a small bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. 2. If needed, add a bit of hot water to thin the dressing until it will pour. 3. Serve with salad or refrigerate for later!

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inside this ISSUE When Will ‘Normal’ Return? PAGE 1 3 New Board Games to Try This Winter PAGE 2 Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb PAGE 3 Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing PAGE 3 Holiday Events Guide! PAGE 4

No Holiday Season? Not Likely! EVEN CORONAVIRUS CAN’T TRUMP OUR SPIRITS!

IDAHO POTATO DROP Some states drop crystal balls, but all we need here in the Treasure Valley is a good potato. As tiring as the “potato” stereotype might be, we have to admit that the Potato Drop is always good fun. Happening for the eighth year in a row, you can catch the action on KTVB or online at IdahoPotatoDrop.com, which is already set up with a ticking countdown clock.

SAY GOODBYE TO THE HOLIDAY TREE Head down to the Grove Plaza on your own time this year and catch the Christmas tree before it’s gone. There was no ceremony, for obvious reasons, but it’s still downtown until Jan. 31, when it will go away until next holiday season. If you haven’t been to see it yet, now is the time — the crowds in January will be much smaller, but the tree will be just as grand!

There’s no doubt that this holiday season is unusual, but that doesn’t mean we have to forego the festivities completely! As 2020 turns into 2021, we thought of a few ways to safely celebrate in style. YMCA VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS RUN We could all use a little exercise after being cooped up in the house for so long, especially after second helpings of Thanksgiving turkey — if only to make room for the Christmas roast beast! This year, the Y’s annual holiday race is happening online and at your own speed. Whether you’ve got a big backyard, a favorite jogging route, or miles of trails in the foothills at your disposal, you can make the most of it and join the fun at YMCATVIdaho.org/runs/christmas-run.

Oh, and don’t forget to put your own Christmas tree out on the curb the first week of January for BFI/Allied Waste to collect!

We’ll miss the vendors and music this year, but you can gather up the family and your favorite snacks and have a party all your own.

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