Our Blog

Fall is a season of new beginnings and spending time with family. We love the cool crisp air, the changing color of the leaves, and all the spectacular fall festivals. In September, our office had a great time participating in the Burnsville Firemuester parade and the Prior Lake Fall Festival. Next month, we’re looking forward to both the Burnsville Family Festival and one of our favorite office holidays: Halloween!

We’ve also just started our refer a friend program. If you refer a friend through our website, you’ll be entered into a drawing for $100 gift card for a local restaurant on us. It’s a win-win!

Last but certainly not least, we are so excited to welcome a new dental associate to our team, Dr. Hoganson. Dr. Hoganson is a native of Minnesota who, graduated from the University of Minnesota. Some of her favorite fall activities include running, yoga, visiting her sister in Montana, and fishing at her family cabin in northern Minnesota. She is passionate about cooking and loves finding new recipes to try.

To celebrate fall, we wanted to share a simple recipe for one of our favorite office treats: pumpkin spice overnight oats. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the treat as much as we do, and we hope to see you in our office before the end of 2018!

Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

½ cup unsweetened almond or cashew milk
½ cup 3 minute Steel-Cut oats (may substitute with rolled or old-fashioned oats)
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
(Optional) 1 tablespoon chopped pecans (or any nuts you like)

Directions:

1. In a pint-sized mason jar, combine the almond milk, rolled oats, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie sauce, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Mix until completely combined.
2. Put lid on and store in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. Stir and add a little more almond milk for consistency as needed. Add pecans and enjoy!

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) describe a set of conditions that involve trouble with your jaw and face muscles. They result from a problem in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge that connects the temporal bones, in your skull in front of each ear, to your jaw. The joint enables you to talk, yawn, and chew by letting your mouth move.

TMD can be very painful and interfere with functions such as eating and speaking. This what to watch for and how to try to prevent TMD.

Risk Factors for TMD

You are at higher risk for TMD if you are a women than if you are male. The disorder is most common among adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Other risk factors for TMJ disorders include the following.

• Arthritis in the area, making movement more difficult
• Excessive tooth grinding, because it increases stress on the joint
• General stress, which can lead you to clench your teeth and strain facial muscles

Symptoms of TMD

Symptoms of TMD can last for just a short while, or for several years. Seeing Drs. Suzan Ekim, and Heather Horton is important if your symptoms make it impossible for you to eat regularly or if you have unbearable pain or discomfort. The following symptoms can occur on both or one side of your face.

• Aching or very tired facial muscles
• Jaws that are fixed open or shut without you being able to unlock them
• Grating or popping sounds when you chew or close or open your mouth
• Pain in the entire area, including the mouth, jaw, neck, or shoulders, that comes on when you chew or yawn

Preventing TMD

You can try to prevent TMD by focusing on reducing risk factors. If you grind your teeth at night, ask Drs. Suzan Ekim, and Heather Horton about wearing a mouthguard. If you are overly stressed, look into ways to better manage your stress and relax your muscles. Another strategy for trying to prevent the development of TMD is to avoid chewing gum, since that puts stress on your jaw.

If you have questions about TMD, don’t hesitate to contact our Prior Lake, and Burnsville office.

It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and Drs. Suzan Ekim, and Heather Horton and our team at Ekim Orthodontics are sure that you’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans in no time. But wait! First, we want to know about your favorite parts of the summer! Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to this country, and for many Americans, the holiday is a great time to relax at home with family and friends. But there are quite a few people who celebrate the holiday by getting out of town, with an estimated 33 million people traveling more than 50 miles over Labor Day weekend each year. If you’re dreaming of a great Labor Day escape but you’re not quite sure where to go, here are a few ideas from our team at Ekim Orthodontics to give you some travel inspiration.

Explore a National Park

On a national holiday like Labor Day, it’s only fitting to experience the beauty of America’s landscapes by heading to the nearest national park. If you’re confined to an office most days of the year, national parks can provide a relaxing and scenic escape, whether you’re by yourself, traveling with a group of friends, or bringing the whole family along. Depending on how close you live to the nearest park, you can stay for an afternoon or for longer than a week. With 58 parks located in 27 states, there are plenty of beautiful areas to choose from.

Chow Down in a BBQ Haven

Barbecuing is a popular Labor Day activity, but instead of sweating over your own grill or oven, try visiting one of the country’s BBQ capitals. U.S. News and World Report names Memphis as the top BBQ destination, with more than 80 BBQ restaurants in the city, most notably Corky’s BBQ and Central BBQ. Kansas City is also known for the sweet taste of its sauces, while central Texas is said to have perfected the technique of smoking tender and flavorful brisket.

Relax on the Beach

Many people think of Labor Day as the unofficial start of fall, which brings cooler temperatures, more rain, and for many people, an end to lazy days at the beach. End your beach days with a bang by taking a trip to one of the coasts or to a lakeside beach. For an added dose of festivity, find a city or town that celebrates the occasion with a fireworks display over the water.

Whether you’re looking to turn your getaway into a full week affair or you simply want to experience a quick escape, make the most of your holiday by changing your surrounding scenery. Happy Labor Day from the orthodontics practice of Drs. Suzan Ekim, and Heather Horton!