Taste and Tell...for December

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min. + chilling MAKES: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups crushed chocolate wafers
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
TOPPING:
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Assorted candies and chocolate syrup

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, walnuts and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and halfway up the sides of an ungreased 10-in. springform pan. Freeze for 15 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Combine milk and lemon juice; add to cream cheese mixture just until blended.
3. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set.
4. Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; carefully spread over cheesecake. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with candies and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12 servings

Kaycha
Dental Assistant

Welcome Kristine!

Kristine is the newest edition to Dr. Gray’s office! She started her dental career as a Dental Assistant, but from a young age she had a dream of becoming a Dental Hygienist. She returned to school to achieve that dream and graduated from Durham College in 2010 as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

Kristine is passionate about her profession and enjoys helping patients achieve optimum oral health. Her main focus is helping patients feel comfortable and educating them in all aspects of oral hygiene and preventive dentistry. She is a strong believer in ongoing education and likes take courses to expand her knowledge and stay current.

Aside from Dental Hygiene, Kristine enjoy spending time with her family and friends, curling up with a good book, going bike riding or being in the kitchen, baking!

She is looking forward to meeting all our patients and a long career working alongside Dr. Gray and the rest of the staff.

Kids Korner: Build a DIY Snow Globe!

Try a DIY Snow Globe, they make great decorations or gifts and the possibilities are endless!



What you will need:

• a mason jar
• craft glue or hot glue
• water (boiled and cooled or distilled)
• glitter
• an ornament for the inside

Ideas:

• Small toys, or ornaments work well
• try one larger item or group to make a scene
• try the dollar or craft store for inspiration

Steps:

1. Arrange your items on the lid of the jar once you are happy glue firmly to the lid and let dry
2. Fill Jar with water about one inch from the top, add glitter
3. Screw lid on tightly
4. Turn over and let it “snow”

Kim Thompson
Practice Manager

How To Treat Dry Mouth

Saliva helps us digest our food and cleanse our teeth by washing away food particles. When our body isn’t producing enough saliva a condition called dry mouth occurs (also called xerostomia).

What Causes Dry Mouth:

• The most common cause of dry mouth is a side effect from medication.
• Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature of saliva and the amount produced.
• Head/neck injury or surgery that caused nerve damage.
• Certain health conditions can cause dry mouth; autoimmune diseases or stroke.
• Snoring and breathing with your mouth open.
• Smoking or chewing tobacco can increase dry mouth symptoms.
• Methamphetamine use can cause severe dry mouth.

Symptoms from dry mouth:

• Soreness in the mouth and/or throat
• Cracking at the corners of the mouth
• Inside the mouth looking red and parched
• Food just not tasting like it used to
• Difficulty speaking, chewing or swallowing.
• A tendency to wake up more often during the night
• Bad breath

Side effects from dry mouth:

• Mouth sores
• Increased plaque
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease (gingivitis)
• Mouth infections.

What can be done to help with dry mouth?

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.
• Take frequent sips of water if you’re mouth is feeling dry.
• Brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste and use a fluoridated mouth rinse.
• Use a humidifier in your home to help bring moisture into the air.
• Avoid any products that can make symptoms worse: caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugary/acidic/spicy or salty foods
• Saliva substitute products are available over the counter at the pharmacy (mouth spray, gels and rinse)
• Ask your dental hygienist for more tips.

Kristine
Dental Hygienist

Meet Zoe!

As Fall often brings change, it has certainly brought about change here at the office, as a few of our staff move on to new exciting chapters in their lives. We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to all of our patients.

Congratulations Sara!

Welcoming Baby Zoe! Zoe was born Oct 21st at 3:53pm, weighing 5 pounds and 3 ounces. Mom and baby are both doing well and resting at home.

Kids Korner: Make Peanut Inspired Craft

You can use paint, wool, acorns, wire, markers etc. to decorate your peanut people. Use your imagination and have fun! You can use these guys to decorate the tree.

Fun Fall Activities for October

Go apple picking Go to corn maze Play a game of touch football Go for a hike in the woods Go on a hayride Collect colorful leaves Plant bulbs for spring Jump in a pile of leaves Make candy apples Carve pumpkins Check out a haunted house Watch a scary or not so scary movie Watch the geese fly south Make a list of what you as a family are thankful for Use paint and leaves to make some colorful artwork! Need supplies: Leaves Craft paint in fall colors, reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Paper Brushes Scotch tape Step 1 Collect fallen leaves, varying shapes and sizes will add interest. Step 2 Paint on the leaf, the press the leaf paint side down to make a print. Repeat as many times as you like to create the any design you wish. Step 3 Try (if you like) to make a negative leaf. Use a rolled up piece of scotched tape to hold the leaf in place then dap your brush in one or more color, place it on the leaf and pull towards the edge. Repeat until you get around the outside of the leaf. Step 4 Let dry and display your beautiful artwork! Kim Thompson Practice Manager