by Dr.Abeyta | Mar 14, 2020 | TMJ
Temporary Relief for Your TMJ
Temporary relief for your TMJ to help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Advice such as applying ice packs, eating soft foods or
avoiding jaw movements, though well intended, isn’t very practical for a busy
life. Not all of us can juggle an icepack
while we work and living on Jell-O and milkshakes is not the healthiest of
diets. Below are a few real-life tips for temporary TMJ
relief.
The Gum Habit
While some people believe gum chewing will aid in the relief
of sore jaw muscles, studies have shown this is not true. Limiting excessive use of the jaw and surrounding muscles is much
more effective for relieving TMJ. We
want to take pressure off of the jaw and give it time to rest. Resting sore joints and muscles is the first
step in getting your TMJ symptoms to calm down.
So, for the time being, stash the gum.
Acupressure for TMJ
Acupressure uses the same trigger points to activate the
healing process as acupuncture. Though acupuncture activates these triggers
more powerfully, acupressure is something you can perform on your own.
There are many great online
resources for learning acupuncture points. I bet you didn’t know that some of the more
effective points for TMJ are not around the jaw.
Practice Jaw Relaxing – Woosah
It’s amazing how many times during the day people’s jaws become
clenched, evening while asleep. Be
mindful during the day and practice different jaw relaxing exercises.
- Press the tip of your tongue to the roof of your
mouth, directly behind the top front teeth. Next, use your tongue to apply
gentle pressure. Slowly open your mouth as wide as you can, then slowly close
it shut. Repeat
- Smile as big as you can! Open your mouth about two inches and release
the smile. Repeat
Check Your Alignment
Have someone take a picture of you sitting a standing. Do your ears line up with your shoulders? If not, you may have forward head
posture. This can be a huge factor in TMJ
as can other spinal and neck misalignments. One exercise to help correct this is to stand
against a wall or lie down on a hard surface.
Tuck your chin to your chest as if you’re squeezing a book between them and
count to 30. Repeat. This is a good way to strengthen neck muscles
and help relieve TMJ discomfort.
Consult Your Dentist
The above suggestions are for temporary TMJ relief. If you have severe TMJ pain or even mild discomfort it may be time to consider a different approach. Dr. Abeyta will determine the origin of your pain through a series of diagnostic tests. She uses the latest technology to including Digital Occlusal Analysis called Tscan. This state-of-the-art digital software helps detect occlusal disease to aid in treating and protecting the jaw and teeth from unbalanced forces and destruction. Call today to set up your appointment at (505)-293-7611
by Dr.Abeyta | Feb 28, 2020 | Medical Spa
Kybella Treatment at the Best Albuquerque Dentist
Kybella treatment at the Best Albuquerque Dentist, an
injectable compound used in adults to remove excess fat beneath the chin.
How does Kybella
work?
Kybella is a synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is
a naturally occurring compound in the body that assists in the absorption and breakdown
of fat. The synthetic acid, once injected beneath the chin, targets and destroys
the fat cells so that they can no longer accumulate or store fat.
Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the number of
treatments will vary from person to person.
Several treatments might be required to reach your end goal. During clinical trials,
individuals who received Kybella treatments showed visible results after two to
four treatments.
Does the treatment hurt?
Prior to treatment, the dentist will mark the injection
sites and may apply a local anesthetic or ice pack to help with any discomfort
or pain. Typically, twenty to thirty injections
are administered beneath the chin.
The injections are fairly painless because of the local
anesthetic or ice pack. There can be a burning sensation for five to
ten minutes after each injection.
Over the next few days to two weeks patients can experience
minor bruising, redness, numbness and soreness. The area will swell so have plenty of ice on
hand. The swelling can last two to three
days. As the swelling subsides, the area
around the chin can become firm and almost “lumpy.” Your dentist will go over all care, risks and
side effects before the procedure.
Is the treatment right
for you?
- Are you self-conscience about your “double chin”?
- Do you feel your “double chin” makes you look older or heavier than you actually are?
- Do you cringe at the thought surgery?
- Do you eat well and exercise regularly and still have a double chin?
- Does your dentist think this a good option for you?
What are the benefits of a Kybella treatment?
- It is a non-surgical procedure.
- The results are permanent. Once the fat cells have been destroyed, they won’t come back.
- Kybella is FDA approved.
- Little to no downtime is required after the treatment.
- Kybella is beautifully customizable.
Want to learn more about Kybella or set up a consultation? Call the office of Dr. Abeyta today at (505)-293-7611.
by Dr.Abeyta | Feb 12, 2020 | Tongue-tie
How a Tongue-tie Affects Adults
How a tongue-tie affects adults and its contributing factor
to other medical conditions. The tongue
has many duties. Duties that include assisting
with breathing, chewing, swallowing, facial development, speech and digestion.
If a tongue-tie remains untreated it impacts the whole body creating stiffness and tightness. The four muscles, located above the hyoid bone in the neck, are no exception. When these muscles become stiff headaches, neck aches, shoulder pain and poor posture can develop.
The muscles in the jaw, when taut, can force the jaw backwards
and downwards, creating TMJ issues.
A tight jaw muscle can also restrict air flow. This
can be a huge problem at night. Without a clear airway normal breathing
can’t happen, resulting in sleep apnea and loud snoring. During
the day, it lends itself towards mouth breathing.
Another condition in adults from a tongue-tie is speech problems.
For example; mumbling and talking softly or finding yourself with a gravelly voice
or sore throat by the end of the day.
Did you know 1 in 4 adults are affected by indigestion? A healthy
tongue will move food from side to side, ensuring it is properly broken down
and easily digested. When movement of the tongue is restricted the
food doesn’t get swapped from side to side.
We end up swallowing unchewed food which is hard on the stomach.
Take the Tongue-tie Quiz
- Do you snore?
- Do you stop breathing while sleeping?
- Do you feel rested after a night’s sleep?
- Do you have pain in your neck and shoulders?
- Is your mouth opened during the day?
- Can your tongue reach its palate when your mouth
is wide open?
- Do you grind your teeth?
- Do you get sore throats?
- Do you have frequent headaches?
- Do you have acid reflux?
- Do you have trouble swallowing?
If you’ve answered yes to these questions it’s a good bet you have a tongue-tie.
Myofunctional therapy is a program used to correct the
improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. Myofunctional therapy
involves strengthening the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching individuals
how to reposition muscles to the appropriate posture.
Contact Dr. Abeyta’s office today at 505-293-7611 to schedule an appointment.
by Dr.Abeyta | Jan 30, 2020 | Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Conscious sedation dentistry can help relieve anxiety so that
your next dental appointment is comfortable and relaxing.
At the Best Albuquerque Dentist, we don’t ever want patients
to be anxious or afraid. We strive to
ensure everybody who visits us enjoys a pleasant and stress-free experience. We also understand that a great chair-side
manner sometimes isn’t enough. This is where conscious sedation can help
tremendously.
Who would benefit from conscious sedation?
Anyone who dislike needles, has sensitive teeth, fears pain,
has a strong gag reflex or just finds the dentist chair as appealing as liver
mush. Conscious sedation can be used for
treatments as minor as cleanings to more lengthy and complex procedures. It can also be extremely beneficial for children
and adults with disabilities.
What Is conscious sedation?
Conscious sedation is a combination of drugs to help a patient relax and to block pain. Most patients stay awake, but may not be able to speak. The level of sedation given can range from minimal or moderate to deep. It is administered in a couple of ways, orally in the form of a pill or intravenously through a vein. The most popular and safest route is nitrous oxide or laughing gas. Nitrous oxide has no color and smells sweet, making it pleasant to use. Its history goes back as far as 1844.
Is it safe?
All types of sedation carry a small risk. Your dentist will do a complete review of your medical history. Conscious sedation may not be advisable for pregnant women, people with pulmonary disease, or if you are currently taking any non-prescription or prescription medicines. Your dentist should only recommend conscious sedation if they feel it’s safe and appropriate to that specific patient.
The most common experiences are relaxation and drowsiness. Once the sedative takes effect, anxiety and
stress will gradually disappear.
Likely side effects that can last for a few hours after the
procedure include:
- drowsiness
- feelings of heaviness or sluggishness
- not remembering the procedure
- slow reflexes
- low blood pressure
- headache
- feeling sick
If you do suffer from dental anxiety or fear and it’s been some time since your last visit, please don’t worry because Dr. Abeyta and her team are here to help you. All you need to do is pick up the phone and call 505-293-7611. They strive to put their patients’ concerns at rest and are always extremely compassionate toward anyone with dental fears.
by Dr.Abeyta | Jan 15, 2020 | Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign Treatment vs. Metal Braces
Invisalign treatment vs. metal braces and the added benefits. Whether you have crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps between your teeth, underbite or overbite, clear braces are a great alternative with a couple of added benefits.
Invisalign aligners are clear plastic trays that fit over
your teeth and can be removed at any time.
Align Technology, the creators of Invisalign, was
founded in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey.
They created invisible aligners as an alternative to metal braces. The aligners are custom-made and overtime gently
shift the teeth into their proper position. Though
the length of treatment varies between patients, people generally get a new set
of aligners about every two weeks until the treatment is completed.
Overall Health
Invisalign treatment is more than just a smart option for straightening your teeth. Studies have shown that people who have properly aligned teeth are more apt to have healthier teeth and gums. Misaligned teeth tend to trap food, causing bacteria to form which leads to cavities and more serious health issues such as gum disease and bad breath.
Show Me That Smile
Another benefit is a great smile. During the treatment you’ll see beautiful
results. As the aligners gently move
your teeth into a proper position your smile will grow bigger and brighter. Having a very confident and satisfying smile
is a wonderful way to boost one’s self-image.
Weight Loss
Next is the weight loss factor. Afternoon snacks just aren’t the same, and thoughtless eating becomes a thing of the past because one stipulation with the aligners is that every time you eat, you have to brush. So, not only are the aligners encouraging you to eat smarter but you’ve become a devoted brusher and flosser.
Pain Free
Lastly, the treatment is painless. Invisalign does not hurt. There is no tightening of metal braces followed by days of liquid food and aspirin. There may be times where you can’t eat hard candy or raw carrots with the aligners but it’s a walk in the park compared to having a metal mouth.
We encourage you to learn more about Invisalign treatment with the Best Albuquerque Dentist in New Mexico. Call today to schedule an appointment or consultation at 505-293-7611.
