A Wilds Ride!!
HELLO EVERYONE!!
It’s time once again for the Carr Center Cake Auction here in Zanesville!! And we’re so excited to provide this worthy cause with two separate cakes to auction off at the Colony Square Mall this Thursday and Friday, April 26 & 27, 2012.
We’re especially excited because our incentive this year is a bit unique.
Did you know the Wilds in Cumberland, OH has a great overnight stay for couples? Well, they do!! It’s like traveling deep into the African Savanna without having to leave Muskingum county!! Sleep in a yert (a rustic, yet comfortable nomadic structure with a queen-sized bed) and wake to a safari-like dawn of antelope, zebras, giraffes, rhinos and even camels. I know, camels aren’t in the savanna, but they are in Africa!!
Also included for each auction winner are a pair of tickets for 2½ hours of zipline fun. See the Wilds from high above and get a perspective many never see!!
For those of you who may not be very familiar with this event, The Carr Center is a non-profit organization serving Muskingum County children and adults with disabilities, and all proceeds from the cake auction go to furthering their cause. So, please check out all the great cakes and incentives being auctioned off!! And, as always, we’d like to express our appreciation for your interest and your support for this great annual event.
Thanks to all!!
Dr. Jeff
P.S. Below is our flyer explaining our incentive as well as the times to bid on our cakes. Also, here’s a link to an article on the USA Today Travel website that gives even more details.
March 2012 No Cavity Club!!
Here they are Zanesville!! Our wonderful March 2012 No Cavity Club!!
These kids are doing a fantastic job of taking care of their teeth. They have many years of beautiful smiles ahead of them!!
Congratulations to all!!
Dr. Jeff
Even Your Best Buddy May Not Tell You!!
I have a delicate subject to discuss with you today. It’s a situation that happens to all of us—you’re not alone!!
You’re at a party or family gathering and a friend or relative leans in close to speak to you and…WOW!! Let’s just say, an “aroma”—to put it nicely— radiates from their mouth that could cut through a bank vault!!
Other than excusing yourself or backing up a few feet, what do you do?
Of course, you could just do nothing and endure it. I think we all have. But is that in your friend’s best interest? Not to mention that their malodorous breath may be related to a dental or medical condition.
So, how do you say something so delicate to someone you care about?
Try this:
It’s always been very important to me to be your friend first and sometimes that means saying things that are uncomfortable, but important—because that’s what real friends do. And, if it were me, I’d certainly want to know. You’re probably not aware, but sometimes your breath is quite noticeable. I read somewhere that this can be the result of a dental or medical condition, so I felt it was important to tell you.
Of course, there are many contributing factors to bad breath, from pungent foods to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, diabetes and liver or kidney ailments.
Some of the most common causes are:
• Improper or lack of cleaning the teeth, tongue and gums
• Cavities or ill-fitting fillings or crowns
• Poorly fitting dentures
• Dry mouth — which can be caused by many common medications, mouth breathing or lack of saliva.
• Gum Disease — which normally does not hurt or have obvious symptoms but is extremely common and can cause tooth loss.
So, if your concerned about bad breath, I encourage you to carry sugar-free gum, breath mints or a small bottle of mouthwash with you wherever you go—either for yourself or your breath-challenged friend. And please remember, a dental evaluation is always the best move when bad breath is around!! The solution is often simple and it has the added benefit of bringing you or your friend better health as well.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!!
Dr. Jeff
February 2012 No Cavity Club!!
Hey There Zanesville!!
Take a look at all these great looking kids with their great, healthy smiles. They’re all doing a superb job taking care of their teeth!!
Your Moms and Dads are proud of you!! Keep up the good work!!
Dr. Jeff
Healthy Kisses For Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day Zanesville!!
Valentine’s day is just around the corner and you may be anticipating some big fat kisses to come your way. So, if smooching is on your mind, there may be a scientific explanation behind your desire.
While kisses are known to promote psychological feelings of warmth and affection, they can also cause your brain to secrete some interesting chemicals too!! Those chemicals include:
• Oxytocin — which helps you develop feelings of attachment, devotion and affection
• Dopamine — which plays a role in your brain’s perception of pleasure
• Serotonin — which lifts your mood
• Adrenaline — which elevates your heart rate
Of course, Valentine’s Day is all about romance and what better way to show your love then with great oral hygiene. After all, those kisses you’re about to plant on the love of your life will not only convey a whole lot of affection, but can also transport a whole lot of infection if you have an unhealthy mouth. So, good oral hygiene is a must.
Let’s start with the basics:
1) Eat a well-balanced diet. This means primarily lean proteins, lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.
2) Make sure you brush your teeth well at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
3) Floss every day. If you’re not sure how to floss, give us a quick call (740-454-4112) and we’ll be very happy to show you.
4) Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods, such as soft drinks and candy. Okay…we’ll let some candy slide on Valentine’s day!!
5) Drink plenty of water!! This helps rinse food particles away, and staying hydrated is important for fresh smelling breath.
Here’s to many years of worry-free kissing ahead of you!!
Dr. Jeff
January 2012 No Cavity Club
Happy February All!!
Here are the No Cavity Club kids of January!! They’ve all done a great job of caring for their teeth!! These smiles are built to last!!
Thanks to all,
Dr. Jeff
2012!! The Year Of Complete Health Dentistry
Happy New Year Zanesville, Ohio!!
I hope your sticking to your resolutions this year, especially if it’s a resolution to be healthy!!
When you come in for your next cleaning at The Smile Shack you may notice that we do a lot more than just check the health of your teeth and gums. We also take your blood pressure and ask a lot of questions about your body’s health.
Naturally, you may ask, “What’s my dental check up got to do with my general health?”
The answer is: A LOT!!
More and more research is now linking dental health to body and heart health.
Did you know that diabetes and gum disease often go hand-in-hand? And, that diabetes can lead to tooth loss. According to a recent study at Columbia University, gum disease is an early complication of diabetes. Since 70% of adults see a dentist at least once a year, this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes.
It also works the other way around, too!! Gum disease can be a major player in heart disease, oral cancer and other serious illnesses. Additionally, if you are pregnant, your oral health is vital to the health of your baby because inflammation and infection in the mouth is shared with your new little one(s).
The good news is—unlike going to your physician—you get to keep your clothes on!! And most issues you face at the Smile Shack are not only fixable, they’re very preventable with regular check ups!!
So, this year, 2012, we’re upping our game and taking on a new level of responsibility for your overall health. In fact, we’re now calling it Complete Health Dentistry!! We’re not only here to help you chew more confidently and look good; we’re mostly here to help safeguard your health so you live a long and fruitful life.
Remember: We’re all in this together!! If we take time to share our love, gifts and appreciation for each other, the sky is the limit on what we can do for each other!! We simply want for you what we want for ourselves: to get the most out of life, whether it’s playing with the kids or grandkids, traveling, eating sumptuous foods or just feeling great. We want you to continue to experience the bounty life has to offer to it’s fullest and that starts with your health.
Take care and good luck with your resolutions!!
Dr. Jeff
Angel Tree Program
Below you’ll see a recent Christmas shopping trip we took on behalf of a local family. The entire Smile Shack team volunteered again this year to sponsor deserving children through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. By participating in the program we were able to help two very special little angels have a wonderful and memorable Christmas.
And, as we realize every year, the act of giving is a gift in itself, because we all had a fantastic time and created lasting memories ourselves.
If you would like to donate or participate in the Angel Tree program next year, here’s a link to their online site!!
Here’s hoping you have a wonderful holiday season and very happy 2012!!
Dr. Jeff

Let’s Talk Turkey!!
Hey Zanesville—What A Great Day!!
On behalf of everyone here at The Smile Shack, I’d like to take a moment to express how excited and thankful we all are to a part of this wonderful community of ours!! The Smile Shack team and I have worked so hard this year and we’ll work even harder next year to provide all of you—our family, friends and neighbors—with the best service and advice current dentistry has to offer. Because there’s nothing more important to us than your good health!!
And, speaking of good health…let’s talk turkey for a moment.
Did you know that a well-prepared Thanksgiving meal is not only delicious, but it’s also healthy for your teeth and gums!! Some of the vitamins and nutrients found in the typical Thanksgiving meal are especially good for your oral health. They include vitamins A, C and D, phosphorous, and calcium.
Here are a few things that will make your chompers very happy.
• Turkey is high in phosphorous, which is not only healthy for developing teeth but can actually help rebuild tooth enamel.
• Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C and B6 and are thought to be much healthier than regular white potatoes.
• Greens and winter vegetables are great sources of vitamins A and C, both of which are excellent for gum health.
• Cranberries contain flavonoids which can prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth and forming plaque.
• Pumpkin pies are loaded with vitamin C and calcium – important for gum health and developing teeth.
So, now that you know the inside story…tuck in to that toothsome Thanksgiving meal, loosen your belt and sit back to enjoy some football. Don’t you deserve the satisfaction of spending quality time with your loved ones knowing everyone is happy and healthy?
Dr. Jeff
















