233 Dodge St. Kaukauna, WI 54130
Can Smiling Make You Healthier?
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 23, 2026
WE OFTEN HEAR that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. We’re not sure where that came from, but it isn’t actually true. At least ten muscles are involved in smiling, but it might require as few as six to form a frown. We propose changing the saying to “smiling burns more calories than frowning,” but let’s take a
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What Builds a Healthy Smile?
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 22, 2026
WE ALL KNOW how important daily brushing and flossing are to a growing child’s smile. We know about scheduling regular dental appointments, and hopefully we know that cutting back on sugar and keeping it to mealtimes instead of snacks throughout the day is also important. But what about the vitamins and minerals that help build those healthy smiles in the first
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Stress and Our Smiles
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 20, 2026
MENTAL HEALTH AND physical health are tied together in ways we don’t always expect. That even extends to the relationship between oral health and stress. Fortunately, there are a lot of tools we can use to protect our smiles from the effects of stress. Stress Could Be Behind a Teeth-Grinding Habit Habitual teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching are called bruxism. Clenching and grinding
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Can We Smile Our Way to Better Health?
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 20, 2026
IT’S NOT ACTUALLY true that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Smiling takes at least ten muscles while frowning requires as few as six. We think the saying should be changed to “smile to burn more calories!” And that isn’t the only health benefit of smiling. Smiling Releases Endorphins We obviously smile when we’re happy, but studies have
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Swimmers and Divers, Watch Those Teeth!
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 20, 2026
ANYONE WHO SWIMS or scuba dives frequently could encounter some unique dental issues if they aren’t careful. Let’s take a closer look at the big ones. Chlorine’s Effect on Teeth The longer teeth are exposed to acidic chlorine ions in pool water, the more likely they are to develop brown or yellow stains. These are called swimmer’s calculus. As good as
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For Healthy Teeth’s Sake, Stop Chewing Ice!
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 17, 2026
THERE’S A GOOD REASON dental health professionals warn their patients not to chew ice. This habit can cause serious and permanent damage to teeth and gums, so what makes it so addicting in spite of the dangers? A Mental Condition Compulsive ice eating is called pagophagia. Sometimes it’s a symptom of pica, a psychological disorder in which a person feels compelled
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Childhood Tooth Injuries Can Be Preventable!
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 17, 2026
MINIMIZING THE RISK of childhood tooth injuries starts with knowing the most common causes of those injuries. Babies and toddlers are most likely to injure themselves by slipping in the bathtub. Non-slip mats are a great precaution! Projectiles like balls and frisbees can easily cause injuries, so make sure to discuss safety and not aiming at anyone’s head. Hard playground equipment
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Thumb sucking Isn’t a Problem — At First
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 16, 2026
IF A CHILD CONTINUES their finger or thumb-sucking habit past their toddler years, it can negatively affect the growth of their jaws and the position of their teeth. A Healthy Habit for a Baby or Toddler There’s no need to worry about a baby or toddler with a thumb-sucking habit or a pacifier. These are perfectly healthy self-soothing habits that help
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Health Benefits Come With Smiling More!
By Kaukauna Family Dentistry | July 16, 2026
OF COURSE WE SMILE when we feel happy, but there’s evidence to show that the link between smiling and happiness might go both ways — the simple act of smiling can make us feel a little better! Even a fake smile releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone), so it might be worth smiling in the face of a rough day; it might
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