Our Blog

At Twohig Dentistry, we are well-aware of the 25 million Americans who fear having to visit the dentist. Dental phobias are known to range anywhere from feeling mildly nervous to experiencing sweaty palms and even a racing heartbeat upon entering a dentist’s office. This anxiety can sometimes be so severe that it prevents people from visiting a dentist for years, postponing dental procedures that often result in costly problems down the road.

For those of our patients who have dental anxiety or dental phobia, it may be time to look into sedation dentistry, a safe and effective option for patients who are anxious or afraid, have a bad gag reflex, limited jaw opening, or for those who have a difficult time getting numb.

Sedation dentistry, a term that we use to refer to the use of anesthesia during treatment to put patients into a relaxed state, comes in many forms of sedation, from simply easing anxiety, to “conscious sedation,” which places patients in what we call a “twilight sleep.” Sedation dentistry at our Albuquerque office allows our patients to drift through their appointments—including complex dental work—as well as feel completely relaxed throughout their visits, without any discomfort or pain. Sedation dentistry can turn a nerve-wracking visit into a comfortable and enjoyable one.

Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig and our team will be more than happy to discuss any concerns, issues, or fears you may have before or during your visit, and will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry.

By talking with Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig about sedation dentistry, you can feel more comfortable and relaxed during your next visit to Twohig Dentistry. Give us a call today!

Happy June from Twohig Dentistry! If you didn’t already know, our office reopened on May 15th! We are now accepting all appointment types so please give us a call at the office to schedule your next appointment with us.

Before your next appointment, there are a few things to know. Once you arrive please call us from the parking lot so we can come out and greet you. In addition, we will ask you to fill out a health questionnaire and then we will take your temperature prior to seating you in the operatory. Patient safety is our top priority and we are seating everyone in alternating operatories to promote social distancing. We also ask that you wear a mask when you are not being treated.

Did you know it’s National Smile Month? We hope you celebrate and cherish your beautiful smile every day by maintaining a diligent oral health routine. We encourage all patients to floss daily and brush two to three times per day.

You might not realize it but what you decide to eat can also affect your smile. Some of our favorite foods that can help your smile healthy are carrots and cheese. We also recommend trying to limit carbohydrate consumption. If you have any questions about oral health please ask us the next time you see us.

We hope all our wonderful patients enjoy June. We can’t wait to see you again soon.

Many adults and teens in our Albuquerque office would love to have their teeth straightened but are unwilling to go through the long and often embarrassing process of wearing traditional metal braces. Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® clear aligners offer the perfect solution: They’re the most advanced clear aligner systems in the world!

If you’re considering getting braces, there are several reasons why you might want to consider Invisalign clear aligners. Here are some of them:

• You can eat whatever food you like, without worrying about it catching in wires or breaking brackets.
• People won’t likely be able to tell you’re wearing them!
• The aligners can be removed at any time.
• You can brush and floss as you normally would, which helps to maintain better overall oral health.
• Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth BPA-free plastic and are more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. You’ll need to visit our Albuquerque office less often: only once every six weeks or so.
• With Invisalign Teen, you’ll receive up to six replacements for lost or broken aligners.

Before starting treatment, you’ll have a consultation with Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig to see if Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment is right for you. After that, you’ll have X-rays, pictures, and impressions taken of your teeth.

That information will be used to make the 3D models of your teeth that let Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig see how they will move throughout the entire treatment and approximately how long it will take.

You’ll receive your aligners based on the treatment plan we recommend. You’ll get a new set of aligners every two weeks. All you need to do is wear your aligners 22 hours a day and you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile in no time!

Ask a member of our Albuquerque team for more information about Invisalign clear aligners today!

The community health awareness group Oral Health America has reported that 82 percent of adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria can play in tooth decay or cavities, and almost three out of five children aged 12 to 19 have tooth decay. Since June is National Smile Month, Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig and our team at Twohig Dentistry thought we’d remind our patients about the importance of good oral hygiene visits between office visits.

To keep your family’s smiles healthy and beautiful for years to come, be sure to:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day to clean between your teeth
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig for scheduled appointments

If you want to know more about healthy home care habits, feel free to ask our team at your next appointment, or ask us on Facebook!