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Reasons You May Be Experiencing Teeth Grinding and TMD

Do you ever wake up with headaches? Do you have excessive wear on your teeth?

You may be clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep and not even know that you are doing so. If you are experiencing symptoms or suspect that you may be grinding your teeth, we strongly encourage you to see your dentist as soon as possible to help prevent future problems and irreversible damage to your teeth.

Why Am I Grinding My Teeth?

There are many reasons that people may grind their teeth. Stress or anxiety can cause teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Crooked teeth or bite misalignment can also cause clenching or bruxism. When you are missing one or more of your teeth, without a replacement, your remaining teeth may begin to shift into the open space, which also causes bite misalignment.

Grinding your teeth may not seem like such a big deal, but over time it will continue to cause wear to your teeth and compromise your jaw joint (TMJ). TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, results when your bite is compromised leaving your jaw joint to adapt and compensate. TMD can cause headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and jaw dysfunction. You may experience popping or clicking in your jaw when you talk or eat, and severe cases of TMD may cause your jaw to lock open or closed.

How is TMD Treated?

The first step in successfully treating TMD is proper diagnosis. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Owens to have an evaluation done so that he can recommend the best treatment for your situation. He may create an oral appliance, or mouth guard for you to wear at night while you sleep. This can help alleviate clenching and grinding, while also protecting your teeth from fractures or wear.

If your bite is causing your TMD, Dr. Owens may recommend other treatment such as porcelain crowns to restore or repair damaged teeth. Invisible braces may be needed to straighten teeth and align your bite. Dental implants can also be used to correct your bite by replacing missing teeth. The good news is that the modern treatment options offered by Owens Dental will not only restore your smile, but also correct your bite and help alleviate symptoms of TMD.

Dr. Owens has been providing quality dental care in Fort Collins, CO for many years. He and his team are caring and dedicated to making your dental experience comfortable and excellent. When it comes to TMD diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Owens has a Masters’ degree in Phyiscal Therapy as well as advanced training by the AACP (American Academy of Craniofacial Pain). Don’t suffer from headaches or jaw pain any longer! Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help you.

Wake Up! Exposing Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

If you can relate to these situations, you might suffer from sleep apnea:

When you wake up you feel tired, even after a full nights’ sleep.

Your family members complain about snoring or mention that you stop breathing during the night.

The Facts

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), some 20 million adults are affected by this condition. Other studies suggest another 10 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but lack the official diagnosis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most widespread form of sleep apnea. This means the flow of vital oxygen into your lungs by way of your mouth and nose is significantly hindered. Breathing can become shallow or even stop during frequent episodes that may last an average of 10 to 20 seconds each. Such pauses can occur 20 or more times in a single hour, resulting in disrupted sleep.

Sleep Apnea and Your Health

Future studies will no doubt shed even greater light on the subject, but there is a number of health risks already linked with OSA. These include:

Heart Disease
Type 2 Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Memory Loss
Adult Asthma
Weight Gain and Obesity
Increased Likelihood of a Car Accident
Depression
Stroke

Finding Solutions

OSA is no laughing matter! With specialized training that Dr. Owens has received from the AACP (American Academy of Craniofacial Pain), he can help you receive treatment. The dental solution is to utilize uniquely crafted mandibular advancement devices. With these devices, your jaw can be positioned in an adjustable way as to allow optimum air intake during sleep.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Does eating a cold spoonful of ice cream or sipping on a hot cup of coffee cause you discomfort? What about when you walk outside during our Colorado winters and that icy-cold air hits your teeth? Ouch! The culprit could be overly sensitive teeth, and unfortunately, this condition is all too common. In fact, Dentistry Today reveals that one out of every eight people has oversensitive teeth.

Why So Sensitive?

There are a variety of factors that can result in sensitive teeth. Recent dental work, for example may cause short-term sensitivity. Culprits of longer-lasting discomfort include the following:

Plaque buildup and tooth decay along the gum line.
Teeth grinding.
Gingivitis.
Receding gums.
Brushing teeth too hard.
Some over-the-counter tooth whitening toothpastes.
Age: Tooth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 and 30.
Cracked or broken teeth.
Highly acidic foods and beverages.
Some mouthwashes.

So What Can I Do?

Everyone’s smile and situation is unique. It’s always best to get professional assistance to properly pinpoint what’s causing your tooth sensitivity issues. That’s where our expertise and advanced training can help. Dr. Owens can help diagnose and treat any oral health concerns you may have, and tell you how to alleviate the discomfort of oversensitive teeth.

Fluoride

Many patients with oversensitive teeth have experienced alleviated symptoms with in-office fluoride treatments at their routine cleanings and/or by using prescription fluoride toothpaste during their daily brushing. Fluoride not only protects your teeth from decay, but it also helps strengthen the enamel reducing sensitivity. While patients with sensitive teeth couldn’t do teeth whitening before, fluoride can enable them to achieve their desired cosmetic results without the increased sensitivity that whitening can bring.

Interested to learn more? Contact our office today!

Options in Tooth Replacement: Benefits of Dental Implants

At Owens Dental, we want all our patients to enjoy the benefits of a complete smile! One of the best choices patients with missing teeth can make is tooth replacement with dental implants.

Dental Implants: The Process

Nothing replaces a missing tooth like a dental implant. It’s a tiny post made of titanium, a material which fuses securely with the bone in a process we call osseointegration.

The implant is surgically placed into your jaw, acting as a prosthetic root for each missing tooth. Once placed, the integration of the implant into the bone takes place during a recovery period of three to six months. Once the process is complete, the dental implants are super-secure and ready for the placement of your beautiful new teeth.

What’s So Special About Dental Implants?

Well, basically no other option replaces the missing tooth and it’s root. That’s crucial for maintaining the health of your jawbone and preventing further tooth loss later on.

Other choices in tooth replacement, like fixed bridges and non-implant supported dentures, do a great job replacing the visible portion of the tooth, but you’ve lost the whole thing — so why would you replace only half?

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re wondering whether or not you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants, the only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment at Owens Dental. During your initial consultation, we’ll check for two things:

Excellent candidates have plenty of jawbone to support the dental implants. Sometimes too much bone has been lost as a result of the missing teeth, and bone grafting or another replacement option must be considered.
Good oral and overall health are necessary for dental implants, too. Some conditions that affect the immune system or gums, like diabetes or periodontitis, can interfere with dental implants’ necessary recovery period.

Find Out More: Request Your Appointment Today

If you’ve got more questions or if you’d like to find out whether or not you’re a good candidate for dental implants, please contact us to schedule your appointment with Dr. Owens. We’re focused on helping our patients in Fort Collins achieve their healthiest, most beautiful smiles — let us help you, too!

Gulp! Gulp! Youch! what Causes A Brain-Freeze?

It’s hot out and you’re sooo thirsty! You get yourself an ice, cold slushie and begin to slurp it back…then it happens: That instant intense pain in your forehead… Brain-Freeze!!

The Brain-Freeze

It’s also called an ice cream headache, or a cold-stimulus headache, but the actual scientific term is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. Regardless of the name, if you’ve ever eaten ice cream quickly or eagerly chugged back an icy beverage, you know about that intense, unpleasant pain.

Brain-Freeze 1-0-1

A brain-freeze is a brief cranial pain—a short-term headache. Typically, the intense headache lasts around 20 seconds—though some experience longer lapses of pain. It’s basically your body’s way of putting on the brakes and getting your attention right away, telling you to enjoy your icy beverage a little less energetically.

What Causes a Brain-Freeze?

Science Daily and Medical News Today shed some light on what is believed to go on behind the scenes during brain-freeze:

Brain-freeze occurs when something really cold touches the roof of your mouth. When you slurp a frigid drink or eat ice cream too fast it rapidly changes the temperature in the back of your throat. This is where your internal carotoid artery (responsible for feeding blood to your brain) and your anterior cerebral artery meet. When the cold hits, it causes a dilation and contraction of these arteries. Nerve endings that shoot into overdrive give you that sensation of PAIN, though as they stabilize the pain can disappear just as quickly.

So What Do I Do?

To help a brain-freeze stop, you can try pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Other than this, just try to avoid them altogether! Try not to drink icy cold beverages and drink them slower at the very least… this is the easiest way to prevent this brief, intense pain.

In any case, the next time you experience a brain-freeze, impress your friends by informing them “no worries, it’s only sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.”

Should I Be Concerned if I Have Gums That Bleed?

Do you equate a healthy, attractive smile with teeth that are dazzling white and cavity free? Absolutely! Yet, while these are undoubtedly major factors, the condition and health of your gums is another part you shouldn’t overlook. Gums play an important role in the health of your smile and are also linked to your overall well-being.

What Your Gums are Telling You

Are you giving your gums the attention they deserve, and are you listening to what your gums are communicating to you? For example, do you have gums that are:

Bleeding Easily
Puffy and Swollen
Red and Tender
Pulling Away from Your Teeth

If you experience any of these conditions, it’s important to know that it’s your gums’ way of warning you that something isn’t right. While there are a number of factors that may be causing your gums problems, such as brushing or flossing your teeth too vigorously, the most likely culprit is gum disease.

Exposing Gum Disease

Inadequate oral hygiene permits the sticky film of bacteria called plaque to flourish along the surface of the teeth, leading to gum disease. The danger of gum disease is that particularly in the early stages, it’s usually painless, and therefore often undetected.

Unfortunately, if gum disease is not addressed properly, it can lead to the development of a more serious form called periodontitis. Perio-what? might be your response. But the fact that you may be unfamiliar with the term doesn’t mean that it’s uncommon or harmless.

Periodontal disease is in fact one of the most common diseases in the world. According to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of Americans aged 30 or older have periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. This equals approximately 64.7 million Americans.

This chronic bacterial infection affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth, your jawbone, as well as one or more of your teeth. It’s therefore one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults.

Protect Your Gums

It’s possible to have gum disease and have none of the warning signs mentioned above, so it’s vital that you take preventive action by scheduling regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations with your dentist. Along with that, care for your teeth and gums by brushing your teeth twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily, avoiding tobacco products, and eating a balanced diet.

Gum disease and tooth loss are no laughing matter. If you have gums that bleed or any other concerns about your oral health, contact us right away. We would be privileged to help you enjoy a lifetime full of gorgeous, healthy smiles.

4 Reasons to Baby Your Teeth During Pregnancy

You’re having a baby, Congratulations!

Excitedly, you contacted friends and family to share the life-changing news, but did you also remember to call your dentist? You might wonder, “What does my dentist have to do with our new addition to the family?” Well, dentistry may effect your pregnancy more than you might realize.

The Oral Systemic Link

An important facet of caring and planning for your new bundle of joy involves maintaining your own health, both before and during your pregnancy. Studies reveal that maintaining healthy teeth and gums affect more than just your mouth. The condition of your mouth can also impact your overall health, as well as that of your developing baby.

If you’re still in the planning stages of adding a new addition to the family, we strongly encourage you to visit your dentist and resolve any dental issues beforehand.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Maintaining good oral hygiene during pregnancy can be a challenge as your body undergoes significant hormonal changes, some of which can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums. Several potential issues may be:

Morning Sickness—Nausea and vomiting can repeatedly expose your teeth to corrosive stomach acid. Over time, this acid may weaken the protective enamel coating on your teeth and lead to tooth decay or other complications.
Pregnancy Tumors—These are lumps that may appear along the gum line and between your teeth. They may bleed easily but are neither harmful nor cancerous. Usually they will disappear after pregnancy, but your dentist can help you care for this problem if required.
Increased Snacking—Pregnancy often results in an increased appetite and snacking. If these snacks are sugary, full of starch, or acidic, it greatly increases your likelihood of developing plaque and tooth decay.
Pregnancy Gingivitis—The hormonal fluctuations experienced by expecting mother puts you at greater risk for experiencing swollen, bleeding gums, and the development of gum disease. Left untreated, this can lead to infections within your teeth, gums, and jawbone. It may even result in a low birth weight baby, or a possible premature birth.

Take Preventative Action

Pregnancy can be a busy time. Nevertheless, don’t forget to make time to care for the health of you and your baby. Maintain your oral health with the help of your trusted dentist. Develop good habits when it comes to brushing your teeth, flossing, and eating healthy. If you suffer the unpleasant effects of morning sickness, rinse your mouth afterwards with water or a fluoride rinse to help protect your teeth.

Due to the extra challenges expectant mothers face, it is a good idea for pregnant women to visit their dentist more frequently during this time period to receive preventative oral examinations and professional cleanings. Book your appointment with us today to give you and your baby something to smile about.

Share this information with all your friends who are planning a new addition to the family, along with those who are are already expecting!

Oral Cancer Awareness—Taking Steps to Save Lives

Oral cancer – understandably, these are two words we often don’t like to talk about. Educating yourself about this disease, though, is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Take a moment and get the facts about this formidable foe, and what you can do to keep your smile healthy and safe.

Oral Cancer Facts

Oral cancer refers to any cancer that develops in the area of the head and neck, excluding brain cancer. This can include the lips, tongue, gums, throat, as well as the tissue that lines the entire oral cavity.

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that:

Close to 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.
Over forty percent of those will have succumbed to the cancer within five years.

The National Cancer Institute states that:

Oral cancer is more common is older adults.
It occurs more commonly in blacks than in whites.
Men are more likely to get oral cancer than women.

Those who both smoke and drink have a 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than others.

Studies reveal there are habits that can increase your likelihood of developing oral cancer, including:

High exposure to sunlight, leading to cancer of the lips
Tobacco use of any kind, including smokeless and chewing tobacco.
Heavy use of alcohol.
The combination of tobacco and alcohol. Statistics show those who both smoke and drink have a 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than others.

These are indeed sobering statistics. We’re therefore proud to provide your first line of defense against the progression of oral cancer—with our oral cancer screenings.

Oral Cancer Screening

The survival rates for oral cancer are significantly higher when the cancer has been diagnosed at an early stage. Our oral cancer screening is performed by our highly trained staff, who can detect oral cancer before it starts to show symptoms. This allows for treatment of the cancer before it has time to spread and greatly increases the odds of a full recovery.

Take Action

Being aware of oral cancer is one thing, but taking the appropriate preventive action is another. Help fight against cancer by sharing this blog with your friends and family. An oral cancer screening for you and your family can save lives. Book your appointment with us today!

Have you successfully overcome a cancer diagnosis? Share with us what helped you to do so with a positive attitude?

Why Invisible Braces are the Better Option

Crooked, gapped or crowded teeth — they don’t do your smile any favors. But once you’re past the age of 16 or so, you probably feel like you missed the boat on metal braces.

In fact, many adults live with the effects of imperfect alignment simply because they are unwilling to undergo the stress or embarrassment of traditional orthodontic treatment. But we’ve got good news for anyone who can’t bear the thought of metal braces: Invisalign! Offered conveniently at your dental office, Dr. Owens can help straighten your smile!

Invisible Braces straighten teeth (without everyone knowing about it)

Invisalign and Clear Correct are FDA-approved orthodontic systems that use clear plastic aligners to gradually shift teeth into their preferred position. It’s a convenient, attractive-looking option that gives you the beautiful smile you want, often faster than traditional braces.

How Invisalign works

When you decide invisible braces are the option for you, you’ll come into our office for your initial visit. During this appointment, Dr. Owens will thoroughly examine your mouth, take a series of x-rays and impressions and put together a treatment plan, unique to your situation and goals. He’ll send this important information off to the lab, where a team of experts will carefully craft your series of aligners.

Once you’ve received your first set of invisalign or clear correct trays, you can begin treatment immediately, advancing to a new tray in the series every two weeks — one big step closer to your new smile each time!

Why Invisible Braces

The benefits of Invisalign are significant when compared to traditional metal braces. We’ve listed a few of the most common advantages here — but we’re hearing new benefits from satisfied patients each day!

Flexibility: you can remove the trays whenever you like, so you can eat and clean your teeth just the way you always have. Additionally, you don’t have to restrict your diet or learn any new cleaning techniques. Just wear your trays for 20 to 22 hours each day as recommended, and you can continue to live your life the way you always have.
Invisible braces offer freedom from the dental chair. Sometimes, conventional metal braces can leave you feeling like you’re chained to your dentist’s office. But with Invisalign, total treatment time is often greatly reduced, and you’ll have fewer checkups overall. That means you spend less energy going back and forth to the dentist, and more on enjoying your life.
With Invisalign’s smooth, plastic trays, we’ve never had anyone complain about pain from a broken off wire or loose bracket — and we’re pretty sure we never will. In this regard, invisible braces offer far more comfort than traditional braces ever can.

Interested in invisible braces? Let’s get started!

If you want to straighten your teeth more discreetly than you ever imagined possible, you’re ready for invisible braces! Contact the office of your Fort Collins dentist, Owens Dental, to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you — request your appointment online today!

Benefits of Metal-Free Restorations

Metal crowns and fillings have held a common place in dentistry for decades.

However, now you have an alternative means to the unsightly restorations. With metal-free restorations, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a more natural appearance. Dr. Owens offers metal-free restorations to not only enhance the appearance of the restoration, but to offer numerous benefits traditional metal fillings can’t offer.

Natural Appearance

Metal-free crowns and fillings give you the most realistic natural appearance. Instead of being made from metal, the fillings and crowns are made from a composite or ceramic material that closely resembles your tooth. Porcelain can even be stained to perfectly match your teeth, giving you a beautiful smile.

Strong and Durable

The metal-free fillings and crowns are durable, so you can eat with confidence. These restorations are longer-lasting and can strengthen and protect your teeth. Unlike metal fillings, composite fillings bond the tooth together and can strengthen a tooth weakened by decay or a chip or crack. In addition, metal fillings often have “leakage”.

This occurs when metal fillings shrink and allow bacteria to seep in between the tooth and the metal filling. Decay can then occur under the filling and the tooth can be compromised. While the fillings and crowns are durable and made to last for years, it is still important to continue to visit the dentist every six months to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

Mercury-Free

In addition to mimicking the natural appearance of your teeth, metal-free fillings also don’t contain mercury. While the American Academy of Dentistry sates levels of mercury in metal fillings is minimal and can be considered “safe” for use, many remain concerned about using mercury in fillings.

With composite fillings, this fear is resolved as the composite resin is completely free of all metals. This also makes them the perfect option for those who are sensitive to metals or have metal allergies.

The Environment

Amalgam fillings are very bad for the environment and a concerning pollutant.The amalgam can pollute water in dental clinics (luckily we are amalgam-free!) and can also pollute the air when disposed of. According to the EPA, mercury in the environment can cause brain damage and neurological problems, especially in children and unborn babies.

Safe and Effective During Pregnancy

Since the fillings are mercury-free, they are safe for patients of all ages and can resolve a number of oral health concerns. Using mercury-free fillings is especially important for pregnant women, where mercury fillings can increase the risk of brain damage and neurological disorders for their unborn baby. Now, pregnant women don’t have to put their oral health needs on hold as the metal-free fillings offered are a safe alternative with minimal health risks.

Metal-Free is the Way to Be!

Dr. Tim Owens proudly offers metal-free fillings and crowns while delivering comprehensive dental care. We offer a number of dental restorations, including fillings, crowns, bridges, and cosmetic bonding to ensure your smile lasts for years. Our main focus is always to keep smiles as healthy as possible, he will restore your smile and help prevent future problems!

If you’d like to learn more about the benefit from metal-free restoration, contact us today for a consultation.