Narissa is impressed with our knowledge

” Heather Sarmiento did a great job.  She initially recommended that I visit.  She really knew a lot about Neuromuscular Dentistry.  She was very knowledgable and extremely professional during my visit.  She is definitley an asset to that office.” Narissa H.

Headaches? Tell your dentist!

Headache is one of the leading causes of physician visits by patients and accounts for an enormous annual expenditure for pain relief medications.  Yet few people think of going to a dentist for headache treatment.  You probably know that what we dentists call “occlusion” is what most people refer to as their “bite” – the way their teeth come together.  What many people do not know, is how far-reaching the impact of a poor bite can be.

For example, did you know that a poor bite can be the cause of pain almost anywhere in the head and neck area?  Headache is a prime example.  Yet, headaches in the temple region are very commonly related to the bite and, correcting the bite often resolves the headaches.

To be sure, htere are other causes of headache and head or neck pain.  Most patients iwth this type of pain have already seen a physician to rule out other possible causes such as tumors, eye-strain, etc.  With the post-graduate training I have completed, and state-of-the art equipment that we have acquired, we are able to scientifically rule in (or rule out) your bite as a possible source of pain.

I give you this as just one example of problems that may be caused or affected by your bite- a cause that most people aren’t aware of.  There are many others and they are listed as symptoms on the checklist below.  We now routinely use this checklist with our patients to determine and record any of those symptoms that you may have.  We also record what we refer to as “signs” that your occlusion may have problems.   We invite you to look over this list of symptoms and see if any pertain to you – give yourself a “self-test”.

If you have any of these symptoms listed below, it would be in your best interest to have your occlusion evaluated.  With cosmetic dentistry so popular today, it is especially important to make sure your bite is healthy prior to proceeding.  A bad bite is often the cause of poor aesthetics, and if the bite is not corrected as part of the treatment process, the cosmetic procedure may be doomed to premature failure.

I hoep that you have found this information of interest.  If you have questions after reading this or examining the Symptoms Checklist, Boulder Valley Dental Center would be more than happy to provide you with further information about Neuromuscular Dentistry.  If you have friends or loved ones that you suspect suffer from these conditions, you would be doing them a favor to pass this information along.

SYMPTOMS your bite may be causing:

  • Headaches
  • TMJ pain
  • TMJ noise
  • Limited opening
  • Ear congestion
  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears)
  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • Loose Teeth
  • Clenching/Bruxing
  • Non-specific Facial pain
  • Tender, sensitive teeth
  • Difficulty Chewing
  • Cervical neck pain
  • Postural Problems
  • Tingling of the fingertips
  • Hot and cold sensitivity of teeth
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Nervousness/Insomnia

SIGNS

  • Facial asymmetry
  • Dryness in the corners of the mouth
  • Crowded bottom front teeth
  • Worn down front teeth
  • Tooth mobility
  • Chipped front teeth

Yours for Better Dentistry,

Tracey R. Hughes, DDS, FAGD

Neuromuscular Restorative Dentist

Cosmetic Dentist

Serving patients in Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, Superior