HEALTH EDITION
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www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 4
More confidence, less pain
Dr. Wilke performs a botox injection, one of the services offered at Waukon Dental. (submitted photos)
Botox injections offer more than cosmetic benefits By Jenniffer Bissell A new service offered by Waukon Dental is giving patients more confidence and reduced pain from conditions like Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). Dr. Jessica Wilke recently completed training to offer Botox injection services at the dental practice. While widely regarded as a treatment to reduce wrinkles, Wilke explained the easy procedure can also help with facial and jaw discomfort. What are Botox injections? Botox is made from botulism, the same toxin that causes a type of food poisoning. While originally discovered in the late 1800s, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1989 for therapeutic use. According to mayoclinic. org, “Botox injections are shots that use a toxin to prevent a muscle from moving for a limited time. These shots are often used to smooth wrinkles on the face. They’re also used to treat neck spasms, sweating, overactive bladder, lazy eye and other conditions. Botox shots also may help prevent migraines.” The shots block specific signals from the nerves to the muscles, allowing those muscles to relax. They’re used to
ease symptoms, not to cure any problems. Offered in Waukon For Wilke, offering Botox injections came about as a way to treat patients with particular jaw and facial pain. To become certified to provide the injections at the dental practice, she took several courses, both in-person and online. Waukon Dental began advertising the procedure in late 2022. Wilke explained that it’s a common connection between dentistry and offering Botox injections because of the human anatomy involved. “It’s becoming more of something that dentists offer and are comfortable doing because a lot of it comes from knowing nerves and the anatomy of face, head and neck, and that’s our whole wheelhouse,” she explained. Wilke said that while a common perception of Botox is the “Hollywood frozen face,” she explains to her patients that Botox can be used to create a softer appearance. “It’s a muscle relaxer. It targets specific muscles. For some people, it might be for cosmetic reasons, like to reduce forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet. Those wrinkles come from muscle movement. You can relax those muscles so the skin over the top doesn’t wrinkle with those movements,” she said.
Another common use of Botox in her practice is to assist patients who suffer from TMJ, which is a condition that causes pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles used to move the jaw. “I have so many patients who complain of pain in the jaw,” she said. “We’re a stressed out society, and people tend to clench and grind their teeth. I didn’t have a great option to offer people, but I can use Botox to target the specific muscles of the jaw. This can reduce headache pain, jaw pain, wear and tear on the teeth from grinding. It’s a nice solution to the problem.” Wilke explained that the benefits of Botox depend on where it’s targeted, but people can expect a reduction in pain or a smoother facial appearance, depending on where it’s targeted. “It makes them feel good about themselves. It’s a fun, satisfying way to brighten their appearance,” said Wilke. Wilke said a disadvantage is that results typically last three months, so patients will need to return if they want to continue to see results. “One thing I think is people have concerns that they will look totally different or will have a frozen face or an overdone sort of appearance. That’s
Botox
continued on page 7
RIGHTBotox is well known for cosmetic reasons, like to reduce forehead wrinkles that come from muscle movement. Botox relaxes those muscles so the skin over the top doesn’t wrinkle with movements.
When seconds count… CPR and AEDs save lives
Kenny Mikota (center, wearing a white cap) is pictured with the citizens, volunteers, emergency responders and ambulance staff who were honored for saving his life after he experienced cardiac arrest. (submitted photo)
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Kenny Mikota of rural Calmar can attest to the importance of CPR and AEDs. This past fall, when Mikota experienced cardiac arrest at T’d Up Fitness in Decorah, his daughter Carrie Hovey, who had been working out with her dad, jumped into action — immediately performing CPR, along with Kris Thuente, Mai French and Nicole Mathis, who were also at the facility working out. The women performed CPR until emergency responders arrived. Once on-scene, local and county law enforcement officers and first responders continued CPR and performed defibrillation, during which a dose of electric current is sent directly to the heart. WinnMed personnel ambulance staff also provided advanced life support therapy on the scene. “I’m told there is a 7 percent survival rate if you experience cardiac arrest and are not in a hospital, so I am very fortunate,” said Mikota, adding that he counts himself lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to experience cardiac arrest. “Carrie was trained in CPR and so were the others who helped save me before the ambulance showed up.” “Kenny’s story is a testament to the high level of emergency response in Winneshiek County,” said WinnMed Ambulance Director Steve Vanden Brink. “Everyone’s quick response, paired with advanced skills utilizing CPR and defibrillation, saved Kenny’s life.” See Page 5 in this edition of the Driftless Journal for a special report by Denise Lana on the importance of CPR and AEDs.