Regular Checkups are Important!

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit us at Whole Earth Dental every six months in addition to brushing and flossing each day. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Dr. Gutkin can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam we will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not come to see us in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Whole Earth Dental on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You

It’s easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling Whole Earth Dental in Magnolia. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

Rainfest :-(

So the Magnolia Summerfest ended on a bit of a wet note this year. Friday was cold until about 4pm but then the sun and crowds came out and really turned the day around. Saturday after the parade was a very different story. Steady rain from about Noon onwards whittled down the crowds until by around 5pm even the bouncy house people were ready to call it quits.

I wanted to thank all of the Volunteers who helped with the Composting and Recycling, this event could not have happened without your hard work. Special thanks to Irene S., her husband and daughter, for volunteering at the last minute on both Friday and Saturday and all without being asked. Your commitment to the neighborhood and environment are commendable.

The Whole Earth Dental team made a strong effort on both days to keep the home base booth staffed while myself and Ethan from US Bank worked with the volunteers and dealt with the disposal stations. Keep an eye out for our t-shirts around the village. We gave away about 70 brown and green recycling t-shirts with our logo on the back. Sadly though we still have about 200 Popsicles which went uneaten due to the weather.

With any luck, next year's Summerfest will be a hot and dry event. I'll see everybody there.

Summer Camp Kids Talk

Yesterday I was asked by Paula at the Magnolia Community Center Summer Camp to come and speak with her 50 or so kids about recycling, composting and the general things we've been doing to preparation for Magnolia's Summerfest. The kids really seemed to be engaged and most were fairly familiar with recycling. I'm looking forward to seeing them all this weekend as we try to keep the event both fun and green.

Magnolia Summerfest Is Here!!!

Another NW summer is moving right along and for us in Seattle than means one thing, Seafair. Summerfest, Friday August 6th and Saturday August 7th, is Magnolia's two day contribution to the festivities. As part of Whole Earth Dental's commitment to both the neighborhood and the environment I am personally sponsoring and co-coordinating the recycling and composting efforts at this year's event along with Ethan Boss from US Bank's Magnolia branch.

Recent changes to Seattle's municipal code mean that food vendors are required to offer recyclable and compostable food containers. The result has been that demand for compost and recycling bins at public events like Summerfest as increased dramatically. Ethan and I will have ten Recycle/Compost/Land-fill stations set up around the community center field, near the Village to accommodate the crowds.

Come say hi to us at the Whole Earth Dental booth on the grass just off W. Smith Street and 33rd Ave. We'll be there handing out t-shirts and otter-pops. We're also still looking for volunteers to help with the stations so if you or anyone you know is looking to help the community, the environment, or maybe they just need community service hours, let us know.