The holidays are all about making memories and sharing stories from years past. However, when January 1st rolls around and you finally come out of the fog of hosting guests and cooking and buying and wrapping gifts, it can be hard to remember the highlights. The holidays can usher in a wide range of emotions from happiness to stress and sadness or even disappointment. Within the twits and diversity of these emotions, many of us want to remember the small moments that make this time of year so special. Whether it is the excitement of a first December together or the despair of a last, families are always looking for unique ways to remember the season.
To help eliminate the stress of adding one more thing to your to do list, below are some easy ways to memorialize this year!
Create a family cookbook
Does your family make a special sugar cookie every year, or are is there a lasagna recipe that no one but your mother can make? Unfortunately, many of these recipes are kept in the heads of the chef themselves and are never passed down to future generations! This holiday season park yourself in the kitchen and write down ALL the traditional recipes that grace your table each year!
In addition to writing down the recipes, take pictures of the food or your loved ones enjoying it to accompany the recipe. Next, there are online publishers like Snapfish or Mixbook that will allow you to upload both text and photos and create a homemade cookbook. Print multiple copies and give them for gifts throughout the year!
Record family stories
Taking videos couldn’t be easier than it is today. Record members of your family telling stories about the season or other family favorites. The gift and art of storytelling is something that isn’t as prevalent anymore, and unfortunately many family stories remain untold. Get the whole family involved in this! Have a teen who is a wiz at technology? Enlist their help to record and edit the videos. Upload the lot to a cloud-based server so family members across the country can download it at any time.
Save some of your holiday tree
For those of you that have a live tree displayed in your house, cut a small section off the trunk and turn it into an ornament for next year. Write down the year and who joined you that December, and tie it off with a string to create a homemade ornament.
If you don’t have a live tree, you can also make other ornaments to commemorate each year. Take a picture of your family doing something fun like building gingerbread houses or ice skating. Place the picture in a clear, plastic ball ornament and hang on the tree. You can even put a small trinket like a movie ticket or repeat in the ball with the picture to commemorate the year!
Kids stories
If you are trying to sneak a little school work in over Christmas break, this is the perfect way to mesh fun and learning. Have your children—no matter their age—write or color their favorite holiday memories of the year. From illustrations to funny stories you can gain a unique perspective on what your children love as well as have their work for years to come.
Season’s time capsule
After the holidays are over, place some of your favorite pictures or cards in a time capsule! This doesn’t have to be the movie-quality type that is space aged and indestructible! A simple shoebox will work. Label the year and put it away. Wait three to five years before pulling it out. If you do this every year, you will soon have a treasure box of memories to open yearly for many Decembers to come! The post Read These To Remember Every Best Moment Of The Holidays appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger Read These To Remember Every Best Moment Of The Holidays
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At Mark C. Marchbanks DDS, we’re equipped to do a number of routine and complex procedures on a daily basis. However, in certain circumstances there are situations or isolated problems that we feel are best referred over to another specialist. We have a great relationship with many specialists in the Metroplex and will work with you to find one that can address your situation best (and within your insurance network). But if one of our providers have ever had the conversation with you about seeing another specialist, it might have raised more questions than answers. Some patients also report an increased level of anxiety or fear when they learn they need to see a new provider.
And so, in order to promote transparency and decrease the unknown, we will walk you through certain cases that require a referral along with our process for remaining in communication with your new provider!
What, exactly, is a dental specialist?
As you may know, dentistry itself is a specialty of medicine. But among dentists there are then several subspecialties. Here are the most common specialties that our patients are referred to:
What are common issues that are referred to dental sub-specialists?
Complex issues such as TMJ pain that requires surgery, gum grafting or the correction of jaw alignment issues are the most common reasons that we refer patients to sub-specialists. When we refer patients out, it’s because we want to put you in the best hands for a certain procedure. It is our goal that you experience pain-free dental care and the best service possible to ensure you are able to retain all your teeth—and be proud of your smile.
How does the referral process work?
When we refer you to a sub-specialist, we will also transfer all your dental records and transmit additional details on why we believe the referral is necessary. And, most importantly, communication between us and the specialist will remain open throughout your treatment. We will work collaboratively with the sub-specialist to ensure you receive the best results possible.
After your work is done with the sub-specialist, they will provide us with an update and transfer needed records back to us. This way you will receive continuity of care.
If you have been referred to a sub-specialist in the North Texas area but are still concerned about what to expect, give us a call today. We can walk you through what to expect and help quell any lingering fears! The post When Do We Refer You To Other Specialists? appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger When Do We Refer You To Other Specialists? Dental terms are sometimes thrown around in normal conversation, and you might end up thinking you know they mean…but maybe you don’t!
Impacted teeth is one of those terms. You most commonly hear it related to wisdom teeth, but can it happen to other teeth? What about baby teeth? If you have recently been diagnosed with an impacted tooth, you might be curious to learn how it effects your bite or the alignment of your teeth. If you are concerned about an impacted tooth and live in the Arlington, TX area, give Dr. Marchbank’s office a call today! We will be happy to examine the impacted area and provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan.
While you wait for your appointment, or if you’re just curious, below is a quick 101 overview of impacted teeth.
What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth describes a tooth that has either not come in all the way (or “fully erupted”) or one that doesn’t have enough room to come in fully—due to overcrowding in the jaw or the direction the tooth is positioned.
As you can imagine, any tooth that is misaligned can cause significant damage to surrounding teeth, not to mention discomfort. And your confidence in smiling and saying “Cheese!” can be damaged badly, too.
There is no single reason for a tooth to become impacted; however, many dentists believe that genetics play a significant role. If you have had impacted teeth in the past, your children are at a higher likelihood to have them, too.
Can any tooth be impacted?
While you hear most often about impacted teeth in teenagers who are having their wisdom teeth removed, the reality is that all teeth can be impacted. And this isn’t a problem simply reserved for adolescents! Children who are in the process of getting their permanent teeth can have impacted teeth, too. A permanent tooth can become trapped in the gums if a baby tooth doesn’t fall out on time, or if something blocks the permanent tooth’s path like a cyst. A permanent tooth may not erupt at all; or, if it does, the tooth may appear in the wrong place.
What are the consequences of impacted teeth?
Impacted teeth can harm the roots of neighboring teeth and result in overcrowding in the mouth. And once teeth are overcrowded, it can cause other teeth to shift into uncomfortable (and impractical) locations. Especially those children with impacted teeth may find it difficult to bite or chew, and there can be tenderness or pain. And as the teeth become crowded, appearance is affected, and self-esteem can decline.
In addition, teeth that overlap can trap bad bacteria and food particles that can lead to gum disease and cavities.
What are my options?
Options for fixing an impacted tooth can vary depending on the case. For children who need room for more permanent teeth, a simple tooth extraction of the baby tooth may provide enough room. However, if the problem lies in the size of the jaw, more complex orthodontic work may be needed to make sure there is enough room for teeth. In some cases, this could include palette expanders.
For the most complex cases (generally seen in the adult population), a combination of oral surgery and orthodontic treatments might be necessary.
Since many of the easier treatments are only available when the patient is a child, we recommend children receive frequent oral care appointments to monitor any changes, especially as baby teeth start to fall out and permanent teeth begin to erupt. Dr. Marchbanks’ office is equipped to see patients of all ages, so give us a call today! The post Impacted Teeth 101—What You Need To Know appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger Impacted Teeth 101—What You Need To Know If you are sticking around Arlington, Texas this holiday season, you might be looking for festive things to do in lieu of travel.
In addition to celebrating the season with family and friends, staying close to home gives you the perfect opportunity to get things done without the confines of school attendance or taking too much time off of work. If checking things off your to-do list is taking priority this winter break, don’t forget to note holiday hours at your favorite local establishments. This time of the year presents the perfect opportunity to sneak in an end-of-the year teeth cleaning or whitening as well. If that is something on your “wish list,” then give our office a call today! We’d just like to remind you that our offices will be closed December 24, 25, 26 and 31 as well as January 1 so we can spend time with our families, too. Don’t let these closures deter you, though! Schedule an appointment today so your insurance benefits don’t go unused.
In addition to annual appointments, take advantage of holiday time off around the Metroplex. Below are some of our favorites! If you have local things you love to do that we missed, make sure to leave us a comment on our Facebook page!
2018 Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
The Lights Parade is much more than just your traditional parade. It’s a full day of activities geared for light-lovers of all ages. Activities and entertainment begin at 2pm and the parade kicks off a at 6pm, culminating with the lighting of the Christmas tree. After the tree is lit, stay around for pictures with Santa and a screening of the movie Elf. The parade is on December 9th and starts at the corner of Main and Center Streets.
Enchantment Arlington
Enchantment Arlington is the closest you’ll get to the North Pole this side of the Arctic Circle! Located at Globe Life Park, participants (you must buy a ticket) can explore the largest Christmas light maze and take part in a magical scavenger hunt to help Santa find gifts hidden by his mischievous elf, Eddie. You can also lace up your skates at the outdoor skating rink and take a spin around the rink surrounded by glowing trees and lights. And finally, don’t forget to pack your wish list before visiting Santa and Mrs. Clause, and ask for those last-minute toys you want to see under your tree!
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags
Where else can you see over 8 1/2 miles of lights illuminated in the shape of the Texas flag? There is a reason that everything is bigger—and brighter—in Texas! Visit Six Flags to get your fill of holiday spirit and thrill rides all in one. If you’re hungry after traversing the park in search of the best rides, make sure to take advantage of special holiday treats like fireside s’mores and season-inspired funnel cakes. If dollar coasters aren’t your thing, Holiday in the Park also boasts sing-a-longs and holiday-themed shows that fit for the whole family! Holiday hours are limited, so make sure that check Six Flags’ website before hitting the park.
Gaylord Texan ICE
If you’re craving the cold—and we mean REALLY cold—then check out two million pounds of colorful ice sculptures at the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan this year! Here you can experience favorite scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brought to life in this walk-through winter wonderland carved completely from ice. Bring your gloves, hats and maybe even hand-warmers, since they keep the room at a chilly 9 degrees. Don’t worry if you don’t think your winter jacket is warm enough, though—they even provide you with a parka perfect for North Pole-like conditions if you need it!
North Texas is the perfect place to spend your holiday season. There are so many activities and events that you’ll think you were transplanted to the North Pole. Be sure to share your favorite places and photos with us on our Facebook page! The post Know What To Do With Time Off This Season appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger Know What To Do With Time Off This Season Whether it’s the flu, a common cold, or just your run-of-the-mill virus, they’re all lingering threats that can derail your holiday plans. Last year, flu activity in Arlington, TX peaked early, catching many people off guard—and everyone unprepared. In order to ensure you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control recently put out a video reminding you of the twelve ways to prevent illnesses from ruining the upcoming holidays this year.
1. Wash your hands – Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. 2. Bundle up for warmth – We know that some winters in Arlington, TX are downright mild; however, any major changes in internal body temperature can cause your metabolic systems to go into overdrive. This means your body is not as capable at fighting off diseases. It’s important to keep your core temperature stable throughout the day, so bundle up! 3. Manage stress – This may seem laughable with work, travel, family dinners and presents this season, but stress suppresses the immune system which makes it easier for you to get sick and harder to fight off bugs. 4. Don’t drink and drive – While this is an important tip year-round, it is especially prudent to remember during the holidays when there are lots of parties and events serving alcohol. Remember that Dietary Guidelines also recommend that, if alcohol is consumed, it should be in moderation—up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men—and only by adults of legal drinking age. 5. Don’t smoke – Just like the previous tip, smoking is not only bad for your lungs, it’s bad for your teeth and gums. This Arlington, Texas dentist wants all their smoking patients to make the New Year resolution to break the habit! 6. Always wear a seatbelt – While the numbers vary from year to year, an average of 343 people die in traffic deaths in the U.S. each year just during the three-day Christmas holiday. Even more—an average of 374—die over the three-day New Year holiday, according to the National Safety Council. 7. Get exams and screenings – Prior to the end of the year, don’t forget to use your health and dental benefits. Not only could these appointments save your life, but not using your benefits means you are leaving money on the table! 8. Get vaccinated – Every year, flu kills 12,000 to 56,000 people and sends as many as 700,000 to the hospital. However, last year saw more than 80,000 people die in the U.S.—the highest death toll in the last 40 years. It’s important to get your flu shot not only to protect yourself, but also to protect those around you. 9. Watch out for your kids – When you are surrounded by family (and chaos), you might think that someone always has an eye on your kids. Ensure that, wherever you are, there are no chocking or strangulation hazards—especially in homes that are not child-proofed. 10. Practice fire safety – Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don’t use generators, grills, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in multiple rooms of your home (including the garage). Test them all once a month, and replace batteries twice a year. 11. Prepare food safely – No one wants to give their entire family food poisoning! That is not a memory that you hope to pass down year to year. Wash hands and surfaces often when preparing food. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours. 12. Eat well and keep moving – On average people gain five pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Beat this statistic by limiting portion sizes and getting at least one hour of activity in every day. What else are you going to do with all that time off? The post The 12 Ways to Health appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger The 12 Ways to Health It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already here! Here at home in Arlington, Texas, the temperatures have dropped, and everywhere you look the halls are being decked. If you’re like us, then it is hard to think about Christmas when we still have so much to do for Thanksgiving! For many, the Thanksgiving meal is the perfect opportunity to throw diets out the window and indulge in your favorite yearly treats. However, for those of us who are looking to eat cleaner or consume a moderate amount of calories, it can be daunting to choose foods that are delicious, festive, and healthy. Did you know that the average Thanksgiving meal comes in at over 2,200 calories per person? The staff at this Arlington, TX dentist office are all committed to leading healthy and active lives, and we believe we can do that even at Thanksgiving. To help you plan your menu or just make better decisions when faced with a spread of food this year, we’ve complied a short list of what to eat and what to avoid. Let us know if you have any special recipes that you serve each Thanksgiving!
Don’t Eat: Dark turkey meat with skin Do Eat: Skinless light meat
Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t eat the Turkey? This traditional dish can be a diet buster or, if eaten correctly, can pack a significant protein punch that fills you up and helps you avoid mindlessly snacking or too many sweets. Dark meat contains significantly more fat than light meat, especially when you leave the skin on. By opting for light meat, you are choosing both a low-calorie and low-fat alternative.
Don’t Eat: Sausage stuffing Do Eat: Mushroom gravy
When polled, many Americans actually prefer the stuffing to the turkey. However, while delicious, sausage stuffing is packed with fat and sodium. Coming in at over 300 calories for less than a cup (and who eats that little?), it’s best to avoid. However, if you are looking for something to add to spice up your turkey, mushroom gravy is the perfect alternative. Unlike sausage stuffing, it’s low in sodium, which means you won’t feel bloated after eating. With only 27 calories in a 4tbsp. serving, you’ll also have enough buffer in your calorie budget to grab that dessert!
Don’t Eat: Green bean casserole Do Eat: Cooked green beans
Do you know the perfect way to hide vegetables? Throw them in a casserole and spread fried onions on top! While delicious, it really has no nutritional value. After cooking the green beans and pouring creamy soups on top, there is really nothing redeeming left. Instead, opt for fresh (not canned) green beans and cook them with a little bacon and onion to add flavor. Even with the fat from the bacon, you will be saving hundreds of calories and grams of fat while consuming healthy, flavorful fiber.
Don’t Eat: Mac and cheese Do Eat: Mashed potatoes
We bet that you didn’t see this one coming! While mac and cheese is an American staple, it also contains as many calories as two slices of pumpkin pie—plus half a day’s worth of fat! However, we know a Thanksgiving meal wouldn’t be complete without a starch, so opt for homemade mashed potatoes. To make it heart healthy, ease up on the butter and substitute milk for heavy cream. Add your mushroom gravy on top, and you won’t feel like you’ve sacrificed anything at all!
Don’t Eat: Pecan pie Do Eat: Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie is traditionally made with a good amount corn syrup or brown sugar, which only contributes unnecessary sugar and calories to your meal. What’s more, the crust can be a big source of fat—especially saturated fat. Although pecans have many healthy attributes, more doesn’t mean it’s healthier. And while pumpkin pie shouldn’t be considered a health food, it does help to satisfy our daily requirement for orange vegetables, not to mention that need for sweet after a big Thanksgiving meal. In addition, it boosts healthy antioxidants and vitamins!
Have any healthy Thanksgiving tips to add? Share them with us on Facebook! The post Healthiest Holiday Eating—Thanksgiving 2018 appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger Healthiest Holiday Eating—Thanksgiving 2018 When you think of the services offered at Dr. Marchbanks’ Arlington, TX office, we’re sure you can easily name at least a half dozen things our office offers. From routine cleanings to root canals to Invisalign and teeth whitening and everything in-between, our office provides services to take care of most dental issues you’ll ever need.
However, one service commonly overlooked is our special ability to serve children. Many parents ask if they should seek out a pediatric dentist or if they can bring their child in to our office. We are fully equipped and trained to see children as young as one year old. In fact, it is recommended to bring your child in as soon as they first start sprouting teeth! Keep reading as we outline the unique services we offer for children in our office. Create a foundation for good oral habits
Creating good oral habits early on for children requires a partnership between the provider, patient, and parent. As providers, we’re able to offer advice on breaking hard habits that can affect the teeth such as pacifier and thumb sucking. When you bring your children in, we examine the structure of the mouth and determine if any damage has been done.
In addition, we can work with you on creating strategies for breaking bad oral habits as well as methods to mitigate any damage that had been previously done. We also begin to create the relationship between the child and the provider to help avoid dental anxieties later. Building this relationship early helps to lessen fears and create a mutual respect and trust.
What’s more, treating our children patients is also the perfect opportunity to discuss early oral hygiene with parents. For instance, it’s recommended that you use a fluoride toothpaste on all children. The amount of toothpaste on the brush should be no larger than a grain of rice to prevent damage to the teeth. It is tips like this that you will learn when you bring your children in for their first visit!
What to expect
Your child’s first dental appointment might be more nerve wracking for you than the child! To reduce anxieties for your children, don’t project any of your own fears on them. Keep the time before the appointment upbeat and offer high-level discussions of what will happen. At your child’s first visit you can expect the following issues to be discussed:
Growing with your child
From teeth erupting to adult teeth to braces and more, we’re here to guide parents and provide expert advice and referrals where needed. We understand you might have questions about when the right time is for braces, or what to do with wisdom teeth. We have the ability to talk you through each milestone and work collaboratively with you and your child to make decisions. Working with children patience starting when they’re small allows us to view trends and how they respond to treatments over the course of time, too.
If you are looking for an Arlington, TX dentist that is prefect not only for you, but for the whole family, then look no further than Dr. Marchbanks. Our goal is to welcome your family into ours and create a long-lasting relationship. If it is time for your little ones to have their first appointment, then give us a call today. We look forward to meeting your whole family! The post What Makes Dental Service For Kids Special appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger What Makes Dental Service For Kids Special With holiday parties and family photos right around the corner, what’s the one thing that most people want to feel like they’re looking their best?
When surveyed, most people want to be skinnier or generally look better when it comes to holiday engagements. However, with the combination of Halloween candy and Thanksgiving feasts, many others feel discouraged about different aspects of their appearance. …Not to mention finding the time to hit the gym multiple times a week, and suddenly that really creates a challenge to looking better and feeling good!
However, there is one thing that everyone can do that doesn’t require sweating or depriving yourself of your favorite foods: teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening can immediately brighten your smile and help create a glow that others will notice. And, even better, you get to lay down and relax through the whole, pain-free process.
We understand that money can be tight around the holidays, so for new patients we are offering our in-office teeth whitening for FREE. That’s right—nothing out of your pocket, and you get to walk out feeling like a million bucks! Call us fast, though, because these free teeth whitening slots will fill up fast! If you’re still on the fence about the benefits of teeth whitening, we will walk you through it all below:
What else will teeth whitening help with?
As we age, our teeth lose their luster. From poor oral health habits to staining and aging, our mouth highlights the health of our whole body. Coffee, tobacco and soda can all leave obvious stains on your teeth that brushing can’t get rid of. So, if your teeth are yellowing or have distinctive stains, tooth whitening can help boost your overall appearance and give you a healthy glow again.
First impressions result powerfully from your smile. It’s important your teeth give off a healthy image! A bright smile also draws attention away from other signs of aging on your face like wrinkles. This simple treatment can shed years off your appearance.
Are there any dangers?
Some patients have said they prefer to take matters into their “own hands” with at-home teeth whitening kits. Unfortunately, the excessive use of over-the-counter products can be damaging to your teeth and your overall oral health. The most common compliant is that teeth gain a translucent appearance (due to applying too much of a peroxide-based whitening product). When this happens, the teeth appear discolored—even gray—and the tips or corners look translucent. Unfortunately, many people think applying additional whiting on top will bring the vibrance back. The is untrue and will only compound the underlying damage.
This and more is why we recommend in-office teeth whitening. As dental professionals we can ensure that your teeth and enamel are protected and over-whitening doesn’t occur.
Did we mention our web-only special means it’s FREE for new patients?!
Dr. Marchbank’s is committed to boosting the confidence of his patients, and wants everyone to leave his office with a smile they can be proud of. If you’re a new patient and want to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, then give our office a call today and mention the web-only special. We look forward to welcoming you to the Dr. Marchbank’s family! The post The Web Special You’ll Love Smiling About appeared first on Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S. Arlington Texas Dentist. via Blogger The Web Special You’ll Love Smiling About
Do you know if your dentist is giving you the best quality care for your teeth? Are you unsure about who is best qualified to treat your teeth? There are the most crucial questions that everyone should consider when looking for a dentist. When the dentist having enough experience in his field, you will find out whether they have experience by making a difference between your teeth being healthy or total disaster.
Some of the tips that will help you to get the right dentist for you and your family:
Ask Trusted People:
The easiest way to find a great dentist is to talk to people whom you trust. You should perform some research on the dentist who will be taking care of your teeth. When you get information from those, who have already gone through experience is best kind of information.
Research On The Net:
The internet is the best source to search for dentist in your area. It is so easy to find a plenty of information about dentists, and check for their credentials. You should even look at the patients reviews and ratings of dentists in your area. Check for the experience of dentist and how long he or she has been in the profession.
You must also know where to look for information about local dentists and what you need to look about them. Your dentist should be able to give you all the basic preventative information about the health of your teeth. You must also feel comfortable to ask him any questions about your teeth. This is possible when you trust the dentist.
One such trustable dentist in Arlington is Dr. Mark C. Marchbanks providing the full range of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry services. This Arlington TX dentist is a family dentist that works with patients of all ages and circumstances to ensure an exceptional dental health care experience for everyone.
While At The Appointment:
While at an appointment with a new dentist, you can take time to notice many thigs about him/her. You can check whether the dentist was same as said recommended by friends or relatives. Check whether the dental care looks clean and hygienic. This can give you insight into your dentist’s own work habits.
For More Information Visit: https://arlingtontexasdentist.net/
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via Blogger 3 Tips When looking For The Perfect Dentist This video, produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outlines how to protect yourself and your whole family from the flu. It debunks common myths associated with the flu shot, too. The easy-to-watch short video reminds viewers how to practice preventative measures to stay protected from the flu as well as spreading other viruses this winter. Keep reading as we break down each of the points in the video and debunk popular myths surrounding the flu!
Always get the flu shot
First, the CDC reminds viewers that the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. Flu shots are either made with an inactivated virus (it’s not actually the infection) or with a single gene from the flu virus (not the whole virus). The single gene vaccine causes the immune system to produce a response without causing an infection, this is true. Some people claim they “always get sick” from the vaccine or get the flu even if they get the shot. In most instances, the patient didn’t actually get the flu, but other respiratory viruses that make you feel miserable like the rhinovirus can end up being mistaken for the flu. The flu vaccine only protects against the flu, of course—nothing else. It’s also possible to be exposed to influenza viruses (which cause the flu) shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before protection from the vaccine takes effect.
Preventative measures for extra protection
While the single best way to practice prevention is getting the flu shot, there are other actions you can take to protect yourself and your family.
First, avoid close contact with others when you’re sick, or avoid people when they’re sick. This includes staying home from work, school, and sports practices. This can be hard when you’re taking care of a sick family member; however, it’s important to limit time spent together.
Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing to cover your mouth. The flu and many other respiratory illnesses are spread by unclean hands, too. Throwing away a used tissue will help prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
Finally, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth all season. Even if you haven’t been coughing, you’ve been touching doorknobs or keyboards and could have easily picked up germs. This is the fastest way the flu vaccine spreads. To that end, wipe down common surfaces when someone is ill. This is a good practice in general to promote health; however, it’s extra important when communicable illnesses are present.
Know your symptoms
Flu can cause mild to severe symptoms, and can sometimes lead to death. The flu is different from a cold in many ways, but one distilling factor is that it usually comes on suddenly. Other common symptoms include:
The only way to truly know if you have the flu is to visit the doctor for a flu test. It’s important to seek medical care since complications from the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Make sure you have your flu shot and are adhering to the best practices of preventive measures to keep your and your family safe this year. The post How to Protect Yourself in Flu Season appeared first on Best Dentist in Arlington, Tx - Mark C. Marchbanks D.D.S.. via Blogger How to Protect Yourself in Flu Season |
Arlington Texas Dentist
Whether you’re looking for a routine cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign, or a number of other dental health care services, we can provide professional, friendly, and comfortable dental care. Personal Links |