Swink Dental Clinic

05/26/2026

History in Plain Sight:
“Log Cabin” Legion Hut remains the most visible building in town

By Jeff Brown
Staff Writer

It is the most easily recognizable building on Main Street. Even if describing where the courthouse stands, newcomers and residents alike know to look for “The Log Cabin out front” on the 200 block of East Main in Stigler.

Built with local labor and donated materials after World War I, the structure was originally built to house the American Legion organization and its functions. It was long used as a venue for music, dances, political meetings and other events. Still an active American Legion post, the building now is also home to the Stigler Haskell County Chamber of Commerce and the Haskell County Historical Society.

See the complete story in the May 21 issue.

05/26/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day💐

05/03/2026

Jaw clicking is common — but not all clicks mean the same thing.

Some sounds happen when the mouth opens very wide, like during a yawn.
That type is usually just a temporary overextension of the joint and often not a concern.

But there’s another type — the one that happens during normal movements like talking, chewing, or opening and closing your mouth.

This is where it matters.

Inside the jaw joint (TMJ), a small cushioning disc should move smoothly with the jaw.
When this disc slips out of place, it can shift forward when the mouth closes —
and then snap back into position when you open again.

That “snap” is the click you hear.

At first, it may not hurt.
But the sound is coming from a joint that is no longer moving normally.

If the clicking is frequent, getting louder, or associated with:
• Pain
• Jaw fatigue
• Difficulty opening
• Locking

—it’s a sign the joint and surrounding muscles are under stress.

In many cases, early changes like:
• Reducing clenching
• Eating softer foods temporarily
• Keeping the jaw relaxed (teeth apart, lips together)

can help reduce strain on the joint.

Key message:
Not every click is a problem —
but repeated or symptomatic clicking is something to pay attention to.

Understanding the difference early helps prevent minor dysfunction from becoming long-term joint damage.

▪️Educational content only. Not a substitute for professional diagnosis.

04/14/2026

Join us in wishing Nikki a very happy birthday!🎈🎁🎂

04/13/2026

🦷💜 Happy Dental Hygiene Appreciation Week! 💜🦷

This week, we proudly celebrate the dedicated dental hygienists across Oklahoma who work tirelessly to improve oral and overall health in our communities.

From preventive care and patient education to early detection and advocacy, dental hygienists are essential healthcare professionals making a difference every single day.

The Oklahoma Dental Hygienists’ Association is honored to support and represent these incredible clinicians who are passionate about serving others and advancing our profession.

Join us in thanking a dental hygienist this week for their commitment, compassion, and care. 💜

03/21/2026

Most children start losing their baby teeth around the age of 6, and by about 12 years, most of the primary teeth have been replaced by permanent teeth.

Here is the typical timeline of baby tooth loss:

• Lower central incisors – usually the first to fall out, around 6–7 years
• Upper central incisors – fall out around 6–7 years
• Lateral incisors – shed between 7–8 years

• First molars – usually lost around 9–11 years
• Canines (cuspids) – fall out between 9–12 years

• Second molars – the last to fall out, around 10–12 years

Every child develops at a slightly different pace, so a variation of a few months is usually normal.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they play an important role in guiding permanent teeth, supporting proper chewing, speech development, and maintaining space in the jaw.

03/13/2026

02/08/2026

81 Teeth in one mouth — One of the rarest dental findings ever recorded

Doctors in Brazil reported an extraordinary case of an 11-year-old girl with 81 teeth—the highest number documented in a single human mouth.

The condition, called multiple hyperdontia, causes the development of extra (supernumerary) teeth far beyond the normal count. Most cases involve just 1–2 extra teeth; 31 additional teeth is exceptionally rare.

What makes this case even more unusual is the absence of any known genetic syndrome or systemic disorder. The extra teeth varied in shape and size, leading to severe crowding, jaw changes, and difficulties with chewing and speech.

Management requires long-term, multidisciplinary care—oral surgery, orthodontics, and careful growth monitoring over years.

This case highlights why routine dental check-ups and early panoramic X-rays in children are critical, especially when eruption is delayed, spacing looks abnormal, or facial asymmetry appears.

🧬 Reported in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO), 2025.