Our Blog
What is Neuromuscular Dentistry, and how is it different than traditional dentistry?
February 16th, 2012
Great question! At the dental office of Dr. Michael Thompson, we like to educate our patients about our different treatments we provide, one of which is neuromuscular dentistry, which is concerned with the dynamic relationship of the muscle and joints of the jaw. Dr. Thompson and our team know an imperfect bite can be the cause of—or severely aggravate—head and neck pain, and many associated complaints. These include:
• Headaches or earaches
• Jaw, neck or facial pain
• Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
• Jaw joint clicking or popping
• Dizziness or ringing in the ears
While tradional dentistry focuses mainly on the teeth, bones and gums, neuromuscular dentists like Dr. Thompson concentrate on the importance of including the power source (muscles) and the controls ( nerves) which create the movement, pressures, and functions of the mouth. Neuromuscular dentistry strives to establish your natural or ideal jaw “posture,” as well as adjust your bite to maintain an ideal position.
At our office, we are proud to utilize TruDenta, which have been designed to relieve all of the aforementioned symptoms. Through proven, state of the art technologies in the fields of advanced dentistry and medicine, you can finally get headache and migraine relief you’ve been looking for.
For more information on the difference between neuromuscular and traditional dentistry ask or how (Insert Name of Doctor) and team may be of help, we invite you to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!
February is American Heart Month
February 10th, 2012
Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Michael Thompson, Dr. Benjamin Laudig and the entire staff. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.
Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Michael W. Thompson DDS. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Michael Thompson, Dr. Benjamin Laudig and the entire staff says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at Michael W. Thompson DDS, please give us a call today.
Patient question: “How can a dentist help alleviate my headaches?”
January 30th, 2012
Dentists aren’t generally the first professionals people think about when they experience facial pain, but Dr. Michael Thompson and Dr. Benjamin Laudig utilize TruDenta systems, which have been designed to relieve headaches, migraines, jaw pain or facial pain. Through proven, state of the art technologies in the fields of advanced dentistry and medicine, you can finally get headache and migraine relief you’ve been searching for.
If you experience recurring headaches and muscle ache due to tension from clenching, grinding and popping of the jaw, you may want to discuss TruDenta treatment options with Drs. Thompson & Laudig. Within your head and mouth are a complex network of muscles, tendons, joints and bones which create forces that, when improperly balanced, can lead to chronic headaches and jaw clenching.
As TruDenta dentists, Drs. Thompson & Laudig are specially trained to examine and diagnose these forces which affect your teeth and your overall health. TruDenta uses modern technology to examine the opening and closing of your mouth to better evaluate the forces within your head, neck and jaw. A specialized device will calculate the motion of your head and neck. These comprehensive exams determine a series of painless treatments adapted from sports medicine therapies customized to your particular needs.
The result is healthier teeth and gums, as well as lasting relief of headaches without the dependence on pain-killers. If you’ve been suffering with headaches, tooth grinding or jaw tension, please give us a call and schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Ask Dr. Michael Thompson and Dr. Benjamin Laudig: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?
January 24th, 2012
Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you’re wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Michael W. Thompson DDS will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Santa Barbara office, please give us a call!
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