Oral Hygiene Plus+: A New (Kind of) Dental Practice
Published February 22, 2012 | 
Your mouth is the gateway to your body. What does that mean? Continue reading
There’s No “I” in “Dental Team”
Published February 20, 2012 | 
You may already know that Dr. Roybal:
- Is in the top 3% of cosmetic dentists nationwide (according to annual ADA practice analyses).
- Has placed over 50,000 veneers in his career so far.
- Is one of only four dentists in all of New Mexico to offer oral genetic testing.
- Has been practicing eco-friendly dentistry for over 22 years, long before “eco-friendly” became a buzz phrase in the dental industry.
- Is active on Facebook and Twitter. Continue reading
“Buckle Up, Cuz You’re in for a Ride”: The Story of how Gabriel & Teresa became Dr. & Mrs.
Published February 13, 2012 | 
“Our eyes met across a crowded room. It was like we were magnetized. As soon as he held my hand, I knew: this is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”
The Best Value in Cosmetic Dentistry: DIAMANTE® VENEERS
Published February 8, 2012 | 
Getting a smile makeover doesn’t have to take weeks of wearing braces or other invisible alignment devices or repeated visits to your dentist for whitening treatments or temporary, then permanent crowns. Porcelain veneers offer an effective alternative for straighter, more evenly spaced and whiter teeth. And Dr. Roybal certainly has a lot of experience helping people achieve their best smile with porcelain veneers—he’s placed over 50,000 of them in his career so far! Continue reading
What Baby Boomer Women Need to Know
Published February 1, 2012 | 
The youngest Baby Boomers turned 47 in 2011, and while Boomer ladies might still be rockin’ the 39-year old physique, their bones know better. Bone loss in one’s 60s isn’t breaking medical news, but most women inching toward 50 don’t know they are the group experiencing the most rapid bone loss.
What’s Going On?
By the age of 30, humans “officially” stop growing, and their bodies slowly begin a reverse trend. Bone loss is minimal between the ages of 30 and 45. But after 45, women especially begin to lose bone at much faster rates. Bone loss is even more rapid after 60.
Bone loss doesn’t happen evenly around the body. Bones in the mouth (i.e. your jaws) deteriorate much faster than other bones. Shrinking jaws and calcium-deficient bones result in tooth loss. It’s devastating to lose your youthful smile. Your self-confidence is damaged and cosmetic dental options may not fit in your budget.
Treatment and Prevention
Losing your teeth in your 40s or early 50s isn’t inevitable. There are treatments available that can help you stop bone loss and even regenerate bone tissue.
Laser Dentistry
Although research shows some conflicting findings, laser dentistry has been found to help regenerate bone tissue in some patients. Lasers use different light frequencies for a number of dental applications including sterilizing gum pockets to treat gum disease and teeth whitening. Different tissues absorb different frequencies and reflect the rest. When set on a low wattage and low pulse, lasers stimulate bone tissue regeneration.
Supplements
Supplementation can also help. Special supplement formulas combine vitamins, minerals and other nutrients proven effective for treating gum disease and promoting bone growth and/or healthy bone density.
Diet and Exercise
But you don’t have to wait until you notice your teeth getting loose to do something about bone loss. Healthy diet and exercise are the best means to prevent bone and tooth loss. You probably already know that calcium is the mineral most commonly associated with strong bones. The best sources of calcium are actually dark leafy greens! Getting at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and veggies that include the makings for a colorful salad are a daily must. Other sources of calcium include milk, cheese and yogurt.
Calcium
Calcium is also a key component in your electrolyte balance. Minerals like calcium, sodium and potassium are needed in balanced ratios to allow electrical signals to travel from nerve to nerve. If your diet doesn’t include enough calcium, it may take it from other places in your body. Your bones are a big calcium warehouse. But exercise requires the muscles to pull on your bones to make movement, and the stress on your bones signals to your body that they need the calcium.
Chew More
To signal to your body that calcium needs to stay in your jawbones, you need to exercise them. The best exercise for your mandibles is chewing! Including foods that require thorough chewing get those muscles working. Foods that require a lot of chewing are often raw fruits and vegetables, so one bone loss prevention strategy leads to another!
If you’re concerned about bone and tooth loss, call Santa Fe dentist Dr. Roybal to schedule a consultation (505.989.8749). Dr. Roybal and his staff can help assess your risk for tooth loss and find effective preventative and treatment strategies to keep your youthful smile belying your Baby Boomer age.
New Mexican Roots
Published January 26, 2012 | 
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s statehood. New Mexico was the 47th state to enter the union, and citizens of New Mexico are celebrating in all kinds of ways. In Santa Fe, celebrations began with the black tie Grand Centennial Ball on our state’s birthday, January 6th, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Commemorations continue with museum exhibits like “47 Stars—An exhibit of the officially unofficial 47-star flag” at the New Mexico History Museum and other exciting events throughout the coming months. Continue reading
Bridging the Gap: Building a COMPLETE Healthcare Team
Published January 17, 2012 | 
Research is increasingly showing the link between oral health and overall health. The more your dentist knows about your overall health and the more your medical doctor knows about your oral health, the better treatment and care they can provide. But what your dentist or your doctor knows depends on you. So, you, the patient, are the key piece that bridges the gap between your dental and medical healthcare team. Continue reading
New Pre-op Protocol: Dental Physical
Published January 10, 2012 | 
The holidays are officially over, so your reasons for putting off surgery have expired as well. If you have a procedure coming up, your doctor may require that you get a dental physical before proceeding with the operation.
Why do I need to see a Dentist before Surgery?
Before any surgery, a medical doctor will evaluate your health to make sure that it’s safe for you to go under anesthesia and are likely to have a normal recovery. Research is showing that risks of infection—hindrances to recovery—are linked to bacterial levels and infections in the mouth. Your dentist is the expert who can check for oral health issues that may need treatment before you can have your surgery. Continue reading
Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Published January 4, 2012 | 
Every year millions of Americans make January 1st the official start of a new way of life. They resolve to:
- Walk to work more
- Drink less coffee
- Be nicer to the neighbors
- Tip their waitresses more
- Read more instead of watching movies.
But the most common leaf to be turned over at the start of a new year is the one to eat better, get more exercise and lose weight. Continue reading
Face Value: How Dentistry Can Improve Self Esteem
Published December 27, 2011 | 
Most of us like little nuggets of trivial information, so if you’re reading off the back of the cereal box or the pamphlets along the wall at the dentist’s office, you’ve probably already discovered that:
- Smiling is a universal expression of happiness—almost all cultures recognize it as a positive signal.
- It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
It also seems like common sense that a person who smiles more is assumed to be more pleasant, sincere, attractive and more sociable then a non-smiling person. Continue reading