What's New...
Hi everyone! Next time you are in our office you may notice some changes. We spruced up the entry and treatment rooms with new decorations. Our staff is sporting stylish new uniforms and our front desk staff is enjoying their new Dell flat screen monitors and wireless telephone headsets. Dr. MacKnight is going to the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting again to check out the latest dental procedures and techniques. He really enjoys keeping up to date on the newest developments in the dental profession. Congratulations to Gina, our dental hygienist, on the birth of her new baby girl, Hadley, weighing in at 8 lbs 1 oz! Congrats to our stuffed animal winner: Trevor McMullen

CHEW ON THIS ...
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CHEWING GUM!

"I think gum is one of the weirdest human inventions. It's not a liquid, it's not a solid, it's not a food. What is it? I mean, it's like a stationary bike for your jaw."

Jerry Seinfield

We love it, we hate it…or both! It's really gross, it gets stuck in hair and carpets and the bottom of your shoes. It won't degrade; it's distracting, annoying, and rude. When you're chewing gum, Seinfield said, "You don't look like you're thrilled with anything anyone has to say."

But, America loves gum…the National Association of Chewing Gum Manufacturers estimates the average consumer in America chews 300 sticks of gum a year. Kids spend a half billion dollars on bubble gum each year. In 2002, President Bush got flack from the press for chewing gum while talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chewing gum has been used to deliver aspirin, caffeine, and medicine to stop nicotine cravings to our bodies. It supposedly helps equalize middle ear pressure when flying in airplanes. There are claims it reduces stress and can help you lose weight. Mayo Clinic researchers found that 100 chews per minute can raise your metabolism 20 percent. If you chewed gum all day, you could burn off 11 lbs per year!

Some types of gums containing polyol sugars, like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol can reduce plaque and supposedly, cavity formation. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva flow and helps people with a dry mouth condition called xerostomia.

However, chewing gum can cause problems and well. Excessive gum chewing can be hard on the jaw joints and aggravate a TMJ condition causing pain and headaches. When chewed in large quantities, it can also cause diarrhea. Chewing gum containing sugar constantly bathes the teeth in a sugar bath and will result in a high decay rate. Most patients we see with multiple cavities are either soft drink users or regular gum chewers.
Gum can eventually loosen crowns, fillings and dentures. Young children especially, can choke or inhale gum with serious consequences. So overall, most dentists do not recommend chewing gum at all. But, like the Trident commercial says, "If you do chew gum, make sure it's sugarless!"

TOOTH FAIRY HELPS HURRICANE VICTIMS

Brandon, S.D. -An 8 year old girl who recently lost a baby tooth came up with a unique way to help out victims of hurricane Katrina. Instead of putting her tooth under her pillow, she mailed her tooth to the local Red Cross chapter in Sioux Falls. She was hoping the tooth fairy would give the money for her tooth to the Red Cross. After word spread, an anonymous donor mailed a $500 check to the Red Cross chapter for hurricane victim relief in the name of the tooth fairy!

• New! Laser Scan Cavity Detector
• Diabetes and Dental Health

• Protect Your Children with "Toothprints"!
• The Dental Benefits of Green Tea

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

• Searching for a new job? ...First look at your teeth!
• THE SMILE STARTER!

• The Silent Disease...
• The First Dental Implant Was Done In Ancient Times!

• Sippy Cups - Hidden Danger!
• Asthma-tooth Decay Link Suspected
• Tooth Worms in Brazil

• Women's Oral Health

• Men's Oral Health

• Watch Your Tongue!
• How To Take Care of Your Baby's Teeth
• Your Best Friend's Teeth

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• Here's the Lowdown on Toothbrushes...
• We're Not Blowing Smoke

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• The Importance Of An Oral Cancer Exam
• What To Do If Your Tooth Is Knocked Out

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• Is it a Cold Sore or a Canker Sore? ... What Are They?
• Ask Your Dentist

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• Stop Grinding Your Teeth Away!
• Tips For Tots

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• New Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment is Now Available
• The Real Risk of Dental X-Rays

• What's New...
• Tongue Piercing Can Be Dangerous!
• Gum Disease Not Always Caused By Poor Oral Hygiene
• Did You Know?...