Russell and Bode Family Dentistry
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Sarah
For some Black Friday is known as the day where you can get the best deals on the best Christmas gifts of the year. But for our family it is the day we go and search for the perfect tree. The Friday after Thanksgiving my family (including my 9 year old black lab) all piles into our truck and heads out to Hedlund’s Tree Farm in Brady. We head off on foot searching each and every row until we find that perfect tree. We also enjoy the hot cocoa and cider provided while the kids get to see Santa and tell him what’s on their wish list. Overall it is one of my favorite days of the year. We then spend the rest of the day decorating the tree and house in preparation for the Christmas season!
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Katie
Christmas is easily my favorite holiday. My family and I start the season off with making our own wreaths. Digging through all of the old decoration and seeing everyone’s different ideas is always fun and full of laughter. As Christmas gets closer we bake cookies and make one of my favorite desserts; a Norwegian dessert called lefsa. We only make it during the holidays so it’s always a special treat. I look forward to the holidays all year long and cannot wait to make many more traditions with my loved ones.
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Sonya
There are many things that I’m thankful for this Holiday Season. The one thing I’m most appreciative of is my hard-working husband and his co-workers. Jason has been a UPS driver for 24 years out of the Tumwater UPS Center. The drivers are fast approaching the busiest time of year. They put long hours in daily, rain or shine and even sometimes snow! During the holidays they work extended hours, delivering all the packages and ensuring everyone gets the special gifts they’ve ordered in time for Christmas. In addition to delivering they also give back to the
community by doing multiple toy drives, adopting families in need and charity golf tournaments. Please remember during this busy time of year, if you see your UPS driver in your neighborhood, smile or wave and thank them for their fast and friendly service!
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Alyssa
Thanksgiving is a time of year to reflect what we’re are great full for. Sometimes we forget all the things we have been blessed with and this is a perfect time to remember.
Here is three things I am thankful for this year:
My family – If it wasn’t for my husband and kids I wouldn’t be who I am today. They push me to be the best every day. They are truly a blessing.
My career – I am very fortunate to work for a caring and compassionate company that also pushes me to be a better person as well. It is truly a blessing to be part of this team.
Health – I am very thankful that all my children are healthy and happy.
What are you thankful for?
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Tina
The holidays are just around the corner. It is a time for me to reflect on what I am thankful for and all the blessings I have in my life.
I am blessed with three healthy, beautiful daughters. They are so amazing , beautiful inside and out. I am so proud of who they have become as young ladies. They are kind, funny and intelligent. They have integrity and great values. They are growing up too fast. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of them.
I am also blessed with wonderful friends and family who are a great support system. I look forward to spending time with them and celebrating the holidays and time off.
I’m thankful for having a job I enjoy and can look forward to going to work every day. I am fortunate to be able to work with such a great group of people who I admire and respect greatly.
I wish every a wonderful holiday season!
Holiday Cheer from R&B: Joey
November 1st – December 25th is my favorite time of the year! I can’t get enough of the holiday spirit! If I could celebrate Christmas 365 days of the year, I would! Within the five years we’ve been together, my husband and I have adopted some of our own holiday traditions. I should first start by saying Christmas music may start playing in our house before Thanksgiving. Starting immediately after Thanksgiving, every weekend is full of Hallmark Christmas movies. (White Christmas with Bing Crosby is my favorite Christmas movie). Each Christmas my husband and I adopt a family to purchase gifts for through the Salvation Army sponsored by our church.
To make Christmas shopping a little more fun, we drive to Bellevue Square and enjoy Snowflake Lane. The streets of Bellevue are closed for a magical evening performance full of live toy soldier drummers, animated snow characters, glittering lights and snow fall. To commemorate each year together, my husband and I find a special ornament that symbolizes that year. Finally, on Christmas day we open one personalized gift alone in our pajamas before celebrating the rest of this special holiday with our beloved families.
To give you a sneak peak of my favorite holiday desert, below is a family recipe for my Grandma’s Apple Crisp that my mother makes every year!
Be the one to spread the holiday cheer this year! Happy Holidays!!
Grandma’s Apple Crisp
8-10 medium sized apples (Pink Lady or Granny Smith)
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cube butter
Cinnamon to taste
Peel and slice the apples and fill a 9 x 13 pan with them. Mix the flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples. Then put on the crumbly topping. Bake at 375 for 1 hour (350 for convection).
Enjoy warm with 1 (or 2) scoops of ice cream!
TMJ Disorders
Dr. Russell, Katie, Amanda, and Judy attended an exciting conference hosted by the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. They learned a tremendous amount about jaw joint (TMJ) Disorders and their relation to sleep and breathing. The association of many types of headaches, neck and facial pain with sleep and breathing and jaw joint problems is clearly shown in the research and can be managed by appropriately trained dentists and healthcare providers. If you have any of these problems, the size and position of your jaw and teeth, among other factors, may be affecting your ability to breath properly at night.
- Pain and soreness in your jaw joint and muscles of your face
- Headaches
- Noises in your joint such as clicking or popping sounds
- Difficulty opening or closing your jaw
- Difficulty chewing food
- Your teeth not feeling like they fit together properly
- Difficulty opening your mouth wide
- Ringing in your ears
- Grinding your teeth
- Awakening in the morning with soreness in your jaw or muscles of your face
- Sleep problems
- Feeling worried about these symptoms
- Feeling stressed
R&B Tips: emBRACE it!
While undergoing orthodontic care, it is important to maintain your oral hygiene. In addition to brushing and flossing after every meal, it is also extremely important to both your General Dentist and your Orthodontist that you maintain a regimented hygiene schedule to keep your smile healthy.
We recommend when undergoing orthodontics such as wearing braces, to schedule your hygiene appointments every 3-6 months. While wearing your braces, it is increasingly difficult to clean around the hardware and remove unwanted plaque and food buildup, which can lead to inflammation and decay.
We recommend going to your Orthodontist prior to your hygiene appointment to remove your wires, increases your hygienist’s ability to clean well between your teeth, catching the gunk that you may miss during your daily cleanings. In addition, keeping your gum tissue stimulated and healthy allows your orthodontic appliances, such as braces, to move at a more expedient pace.
And finally having your wires removed prior to your hygiene appointment allows your Dentist to take X-Rays without the wire blocking portions of your teeth that may have decay.
We understand running around to your Orthodontist and your Dentist and back to place wires back in is a lot to handle, but it is a short term chore for a lifetime of healthy, straight smiles.
R&B Tips: Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen and Salt Water Rinses
Acetaminophen/Paracetamol/Tylenol (brand name)
Though they do not act on the inflammation, paracetamols will hinder transmission of pain messages to the brain. They work well for those who are not able to take aspirin. You can combine paracetamol with aspirin or any non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Ibuprofen. In this way, it can work for toothaches. Generally, a dose of 400-500mg is recomended for a toothache. However, excessive use of paracetamols can lead to liver damage. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Ibuprofen or Ketoprofen
Ibuprofen is the best over-the-counter option for a toothache. It is an anti-inflammatory that contains no steroids. Motrin and Advil (US) are the most common brands. 200-400 mg is recommended. Ketoprofen is sold under several trade names as well. You can ask your pharmacist for ketoprofen. If you are asthmatic, however, you should not take it. Make sure you read the label for any other contradictions.
Salt Water Rinses
Using salt water rinses has dated back to some of the oldest medical scripts in existence. More than 2000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians found that the use of salt had anti- infective and anti-inflammatory effects.
Salt inhibits bacteria in the mouth. It temporarily increases the PH balance in the oral cavity, creating a alkaline environment in which bacteria struggles to survive. Bacteria prefer an acidic environment to grow and breed. Salt water is an isotonic solution, which means it contains the same salts and minerals our bodies do in equal concentrations. This is the reason why it does not irritate the mucous membrane.
It is recommended to use by dentists after a dental procedure because it is a gentle healing aid.
It is used to soothe and heal mouth sores. It reduces discomfort or swelling after a dental procedure. It can help reduce aches from a sore throat caused by strep, tonsillitis or even the common cold.
Use salt water rinses 2-3 times a day or more after dental surgery or any other procedure.
