What's New...
Hello! Well, we all made it through Y2K without any problems. Fortunately, our office now has all new Pentium computers, including the latest updated dental software, Windows 98, and large screen 17" monitors. And we now have computers in the hygiene rooms so you can schedule your next appointment without having to go to the front desk! We are able to file many insurance claims on our instant electronic claims system, so many of your claims reach your insurance company the same day as treatment. Don't forget to check out our new website, www.drmacknight.com. It is loaded with a ton of dentally related information and answers to your most frequent questions, as well as links to other major dental reference sites. We would appreciate your comments and suggestions of what you would like to see on our site in the future.. Welcome new part-time dental hygienist Karen Neyer! Karen is working on Mondays and is a welcome addition to our staff. She worked for Dr.MacKnight from 1978 to 1984, then "semi-retired" to raise her children. We're glad she is back!!. Hope everyone has a safe and warm winter and a great new year!

Stop Grinding Your Teeth Away!

Many people have a serious problem of subconsciously grinding their teeth, either in their sleep or even while awake! This continual gnashing of the teeth is an actual medical condition called "bruxism". Clenching (bruxing without lateral grinding movement) can be just as harmful. Both can lead to worn and sensitive teeth, muscle soreness due to over-exertions, headaches, TMJ pain, and other oral-facial pains.

Grinding and clenching occur at night or during the day when a person's attention is focused elsewhere, such as driving or on business problems. Since it is usually a subconscious habit, many people are not aware they do it. Although some people are noisy grinders and their spouses can hear them bruxing in their sleep, many people are silent clenchers or grinders. Children frequently grind their baby teeth so loud that parents can hear it through closed doors! However, unlike adults, this usually causes no lasting damage because their baby teeth have shallow cusps and grooves that don't interlock during the grinding, and most kids stop bruxing when they get their permanent back teeth around age 10 to 12. Adults, on the other hand, can cause serious wear on the teeth, even losing 1/3 or more of tooth length over the years. In addition to wear, sensitive teeth, and facial pain, other damage includes wear notches developing at the gum line, loose teeth, fractured teeth, chipping of the edges of teeth, and frequent breaking of bonded restorations or fillings. Over time, excessive wear can lead to loss of the vertical dimension of the face, causing sagging and wrinkles. Treatment consists of a custom made nightguard or occlusal splint that conforms to the patient's upper or lower teeth to provide relief and prevent or minimize damage. The most common splint is made of hard, clear acrylic plastic and is fabricated in a laboratory. If you have noticed any of these problems, please let us know and schedule an examination.

Tips For Tots

1. Put only water in a child's bedtime bottle.
2. Wipe an infants gums and teeth with a gauze or damp washcloth - do not use toothpaste.
3. Schedule your child's first dental visit at age three. We will be glad to see them earlier if you suspect a dental problem.
4. Brush and floss your child's teeth until they are old enough to have the dexterity to do this alone.
5. Never use a dab of toothpaste larger than "pea" size on a child's brush.
6. Do not let children eat toothpaste.
7. Avoid sweets as bedtime snacks.
8. Have dental sealants placed on your child's permanent molars.

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• Three New Teeth Whitening Systems
• Too Much Water Can Be Bad!

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• THE SMILE STARTER!

• The Silent Disease...
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• Sippy Cups - Hidden Danger!
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• Women's Oral Health

• Men's Oral Health

• Watch Your Tongue!
• How To Take Care of Your Baby's Teeth
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• Ask Your Dentist

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• Tips For Tots

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