Dr. Kevin Winters has been interested in human performance and health from the time he was a child. Growing up as a competitive athlete in multiple sports, he attended Kansas State University and competed on the football team. He has been at The Hills Dental Spa since 2018. Here, Dr. Winters has established a very unique practice devoted to not only the highest level of dentistry, but also patient service.

For over 26 years, Dr. Winters has been at the forefront of dental learning, serving as a clinical instructor at the world-famous Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He has been a part of teaching and helping over 10,000 dentists from 52 countries learn how to do cosmetic and TMJ dentistry. Dr Winters has now become the course director at LVI. In addition, Dr. Winters has lectured internationally and published multiple articles in dental journals.

Today’s episode offers a whole lot of important information to sink your teeth into. I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Winters, a neuromuscular dentist who specializes in bite and jaw issues. Dr. Winters founded The Hills Dental Spa in Austin, Texas. Listeners can visit thehillsdentalspa.com to receive a free consultation. 

After years of grinding my teeth and countless dental issues, I worked with Dr. Winters on a full mouth restoration. And I’ve been blown away by the results – the process corrected my bite, alleviated my neck pain, and even changed the shape of my face. Even though neuromuscular dentistry can change lives, it’s not widely understood or even taught in most dental schools.

In this episode, Dr. Winters explains what neuromuscular dentistry is and why it’s so impactful, taking us through the entire process of my mouth restoration as I share my personal experience. 

We talk about how your teeth are connected to neck pain, headaches, muscle structure, posture, and more – and get into the most common causes for grinding your teeth and how to fix them. Plus, we explore treatments for TMJ and TMD, tongue and lip ties, and sleep apnea. 

Dr. Winters also answers some burning questions: Is there any actual wisdom in removing wisdom teeth? What do pacifiers do to babies’ jaws? And is fixing your teeth really like an instant facelift?

 
 

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is presented for educational and exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for diagnosing or treating any illness. Those responsible for this show disclaim responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information presented by Luke or his guests. Please consult with your healthcare provider before using any products referenced. This podcast may contain paid endorsements for products or services.

 

WATCH

LISTEN

(00:08) Dr. Winters’ Path to Dentistry 

  • Almost becoming a Dallas Cowboy

  • Shifting from athletics to academics 

  • What is neuromuscular dentistry? 

  • Dentists aren’t taught the complexities of jaw movement 

(10:01) Luke’s Experience Working With Dr. Winters

(22:24) Getting to the Root of the Issues

  • The most common causes of grinding your teeth 

  • The impact of lip and tongue ties in infants 

  • How mouth breathing as children affects us as adults

  • The benefits of nasal breathing 

  • Why lack of sleep from breathing issues is often misdiagnosed as ADHD

  • How holistic dentistry can change lives 

(34:07) The Impact of Bottles & Pacifiers 

  • NUK bottles and pacifiers 

  • Breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding for facial structure formation 

  • Dr. Winters’ perspective on pacifiers 

  • The need for airway consideration in orthodontics 

  • The consequences of permanent teeth removal in teens

(44:01) Is There Any Wisdom in Removing Wisdom Teeth? 

  • How our jaws have gotten smaller over the centuries 

  • Why diet changes over time contribute to jaw changes

  • Why your wisdom teeth are there for a reason 

(51:41) Treating Tongue Ties 

  • Laser procedure to treat tongue ties 

  • Getting tongue or lip ties released as an adult 

  • Tracey Brizendine, tongue specialist 

  • How you can train your tongue to function properly 

  • How tongue ties impact TMJ

  • Dr. Zaghi, tongue tie release doctor

(01:00:44) The Diagnostic Process 

  • The use of a 3D cat scan in addition to normal X-rays

  • EMG technology to analyze muscle activity 

  • Using a specific frequency to stimulate nerves 

  • Why night guards can create more problems 

  • The different types of orthotics 

  • The options for handling bite issues 

(01:16:31) The Far-Reaching Effects of TMJ & TMD

  • The difference between TMJ and TMD

  • The connection between TMD and headaches

  • Why TMD is a pain in your neck 

  • The downsides of looking down at your phone

(01:26:21) Fixing Your Bite Overnight 

  • Sleep breathing disorders, from snoring to sleep apnea

  • The pros and cons of CPAP machines 

  • Alternatives to CPAP machines to keep your airway open 

(01:38:01) An Instant Facelift 

  • The aesthetic benefits of dental work 

  • How this work improved the shape of Luke’s face

  • How correcting your bite impacts your diet 

(01:46:07) Preparing to Build a New Bite

  • The posture pump to align cervical neck posture 

  • The homework that can maximize your results 

  • Making medicine a team effort 

  • How the bite is related to ear issues 

(02:00:50) The Process of a Full Mouth Restoration 

  • Treatment options if you’re not local to Austin, TX

  • A typical timeline for a full mouth restoration 

  • Luke’s experience recording the podcast with orthotics 

  • Dr. Winters’ revolutionary approach to serving patients 

  • The Hills Dental Spa (Listeners receive a complimentary consultation) 

(02:15:07) The Future of the Dental Industry 

  • What happens when dentistry goes corporate 

  • Dr. Winters’ wish for the dental industry 

  • Increased interest in holistic and biological dentistry 

(02:24:16) Dr. Winters’ Greatest Teachers 

  • What Dr. Winters has learned from the mindset of athletics 

  • The tenacity and discipline required in dentistry

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