K7 TMJ at Business After Hours
All of us at TFD would like to publically thank Mr. Postman Expresso, Ruple Photography, and the Searcy Chamber of Commerce for all of their help as we hosted this month’s “Business After Hours”. It was a great time (ask anyone about the blueberry scones J), and the event afforded us the chance to introduce our K7 TMJ System, which we are very excited about because it absolutely changes lives! You know, it sounds obvious, but one of the most important and complex parts of a dental exam is checking how your bite fits together, but many people don’t think about that when they come to the dentist. They usually think we’re checking for cavities and cleaning the teeth, yada yada yada, but I don’t think many people are aware that my patients also are evaluated for more serious issues related to TMJ Disorder… And TMJ Disorder is a huge problem in our area because many people are, to put it bluntly, unhealthy.
Let me explain a little more… The way the bite fits together affects the whole body. The teeth are connected to the jaw; the jaw is connected to muscles; the muscles are connected the head; the head is connected to the spinal column… you know what I mean? And every tooth matters! Not just because of how it looks or if it’s “close to the front” of your mouth, but because of the effect your teeth have on your bite and the domino effect the bite has on the rest of your body. Little things add up fast… if you don’t believe me, try taking out 1 or 2 of those little bones in your hand (you have plenty more right?) and see how that affects your hand… and your arm… and your shoulder… When teeth begin to have problems, the bite begins to have problems. When the bite has problems, nerves often get “pinched” behind the jaw and these nerves are connected to other major nerves in your neck and back. So, when the jaw “pinches” these nerves, painful symptoms begin to develop including migraine headaches, neck pain, and back pain, and sometimes even blood pressure problems develop. This is a huge problem in our area and many people have no idea that repairing their bite is a critical part of resolving their health problems! Sorry if this blog turned a little preachy, but like I said earlier we are very excited about our K7 TMJ System because it helps us correct all of these issues and we hope you and all of our patients will be better informed and not have to live like so many unhealthy people do.
New Year, New You!
With 2008 here and the excitement of the mounting presidential race, the MLB juice reports, and the developing prosperity right here in our own community, we have plenty of reason for optimism and proactive resolution in this new year. Every year around this time, the fitness gyms get full, new faces appear at churches, and well intentioned Americans refreshed from the holiday season vow to live and love like they never have. However, apparently this year may be different.
I’ve been asking many of you as you have come into the office to share your New Year’s Resolutions, but time and again the response I am given is something like… “Not this year.” Not this year? Ah, come on…. This is going to be the best year you’ve ever seen! Life can always progress, and in fact I believe we are commanded to continually grow into a more purposeful life. We live in the land of opportunity, freedom, and choice…. And even if you fall off the New Year’s Resolution bandwagon by March… at least you have to try. It’s worth it, your family is worth it, and the “new and improved you” is worth it!
So where am I going to start? Well, I’ve already ordered an exercise dvd series, but you can also count me in for 1 more smile every day, 1 more joke every week, and 1 memory verse every month. Where will you start? Remember, from those who have been given much, much will be expected…. Are you up for it?
November News
Twice each year 8-10 of my old college buddies and I get together for a reunion during which we do exactly the same things and relive exactly the same memories each time we get together. Invariably we watch more football than our wives find physically possible, argue over SEC or Big 12 conference superiority (as if it should be on the same level as politics and religion), and find some quirky way to send one of us home injured. Well, this time it was my turn.
My shining star of a wife has been ever so dedicated the last several months to “Body Pump”. She’s in the best shape I’ve ever known, and I’ve been trying to get myself back into my “pre-dental school” shape. Well, after a workout the other day I thought I was just exceptionally sore but that was to be expected following exercise. So I went to the reunion and by the end of the weekend I had nearly eaten my weight in brownies, and the soreness in my abdomen was growing out of control. The weekend was a great time, but it wasn’t long after I returned home that I found myself in the ER with what turned out to be a golf ball sized cyst in my abdomen – next stop, OR.
Fortunately I have some very capable friends in the OR and my surgery went as planned, but my recovery will be slow. All of you who have been to the office in the last couple of weeks have been so understanding and generous with your concerns and prayers, and I want you all to know how thankful I am for your kindness. I’m back at work now and doing fine as I gradually progress back up to full speed. So life is looking up, but I would appreciate your continued prayers for a speedy recovery. Thanks again to you all, and I’ll look forward to seeing you soon!
TFD Blog
October 7, 2007
This week was a fantastic week because almost everything went perfect in college football, the MLB playoffs are in full swing, and we just returned from LVI. Aside from the stolen-vehicle high-speed car chase that sailed right past my wife while we were there, everything went pretty much according to plan. The whole TFD team went to LVI for more advanced TMJ training, and the program was, as my Australian buddies Dr. Neil and Dr. Chau say, “spot on!” I know most of you who read this think we go for fun, and yes we did manage to squeeze in a quick stop at Red Rock Canyon, 2 or 3 trips to Cheesecake Factory (Pumpkin cheesecake just came in season!) and the very unique experience of the Blue Man Group, but trust me… it was all work. 3 solid days of technology upgrades that now allow us to test your cheek and neck muscles for TMJ disorders, in much the same way as you have tests run on your heart. In fact, much of the program involves how TMJ disorders increase blood pressure, back pain, migraines, and nerve problems. After having these tests run this week while we were there, one of the dentists in the program had her bite adjusted according to the test results, and within minutes her blood pressure improved 12 points! I know, you had to be there… but it was amazing! So… job satisfaction is through the roof for me right now, because being a dentist isn’t just about the teeth….
The Dr. Cox Smile
501-268-3223 Click for Larger Map & Directions
Located immediately across from the Harding intramural fields on Beebe-Capps Expressway
