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After winning the title of National Duathlon Champion last summer, Dr. Holt had the opportunity to represent the United States at the World Championship Duathlon in Pontevedra, Spain.

As a long-time endurance athlete Dr. Holt clinched an exhilarating victory in June 2025 when he crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 1 minute after a grueling multi-discipline race.

The championship course featured a 10 km run, 40 km bike, and a final 5 km run, attracting elite duathletes from across the globe. In a fiercely competitive field, Dr. Holt surged ahead in the final kilometers, edging out the top three finishers by less than one minute—a thrilling conclusion to an intense battle of stamina, speed, and strategy.

Dr. Holt has be dedicated to his training and nutrition and has overcome injuries to be able to participate in this race. He is honored and humbled by this win. He balanced his training with running a full-time orthodontic practice in Highlands Ranch & Littleton. It was at times a challenge, but also a huge source of motivation. This sport demands precision, discipline, and endurance—not unlike orthodontics!

Dr. Holt, known for his dedication both in the clinic and on the race course, has long been a respected figure in the Highlands Ranch community. His patients and staff often follow his races, inspired by his commitment to health, perseverance, and excellence.

This world title marks a milestone in Dr. Holt’s athletic career and brings international recognition not only to his achievements but to the Highlands Ranch athletic and professional communities.

Dr. Holt is back in the office and seeing patients, with his medal in hand, and is already planning for future competitions.

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. HOLT FOR THIS AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Let’s be honest — who doesn’t love a great smile? It’s often the first thing people notice, and it can light up a room in an instant. But beyond the Instagram-worthy photos and the confidence boost, having a straight and healthy smile comes with some pretty powerful benefits for your overall health and well-being.

If you’ve ever wondered why dental professionals are always emphasizing good oral care and alignment, here’s your answer. Let’s dive into the real perks of a smile that’s not just beautiful, but healthy too.

Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

This one’s a no-brainer. When you feel good about your smile, you're more likely to show it off — and that can have a huge impact on your confidence. Whether you're walking into a job interview, a first date, or a Zoom meeting, a confident smile can set the tone.

A straight smile often makes people feel more attractive, more approachable, and more self-assured. And hey, when you feel good, it shows.

Improves Oral Health

Straight teeth are easier to clean. When your teeth are properly aligned, it’s much easier to brush and floss effectively. No awkward angles or tight spaces for plaque and food particles to hide.

This means:

• Lower risk of cavities
• Healthier gums
• Less chance of gum disease or tooth decay

In other words, a straight smile doesn’t just look good — it is good, especially for your long-term oral health.

Better Digestion (Yes, Really)

Your teeth play a big role in the digestion process. Properly aligned teeth help you chew food more thoroughly, which makes it easier for your body to digest it.

When teeth are crowded or misaligned, it can affect how you bite and chew, leading to digestive issues over time. Who knew your smile could help your stomach out, too?

Reduces Jaw Pain and Headaches

Misaligned teeth can sometimes cause issues with your jaw — especially if you have an uneven bite or problems like overbite, underbite, or crossbite. This misalignment can lead to:

• Jaw pain or TMJ disorders
• Headaches
• Neck and shoulder tension

Correcting your alignment with braces or aligners can ease this stress and create a more comfortable bite, reducing these symptoms.

Enhances Speech

Believe it or not, the position of your teeth can influence how clearly you speak. Misaligned teeth or gaps can lead to lisps or other minor speech issues. Straightening your teeth can improve your ability to pronounce certain sounds and communicate more confidently.

Helps Prevent Long-Term Dental Issues

When your teeth are crowded, overlapping, or spaced too far apart, they can wear down unevenly. Over time, this can lead to:

• Tooth damage or erosion
• Increased risk of tooth loss
• Costly restorative procedures down the line

A healthy alignment protects your smile now and later.

A Happier, Healthier You

There’s also a psychological and emotional benefit to smiling more often. Studies have shown that smiling — even when you’re not feeling 100% — can actually boost your mood. A healthy, confident smile makes you more likely to smile often, which can lead to reduced stress and improved well-being.

Smiling is contagious, after all and a straight and healthy smile is about so much more than aesthetics. It's a sign of good health, great hygiene, and personal confidence. Whether you're just starting your orthodontic journey or you’re keeping your teeth healthy post-treatment, every step you take toward a healthier smile is worth it!

Being an orthodontist is already a rewarding job — you get to transform smiles, boost confidence, and improve oral health every day. But imagine combining that with courtside energy, elite athletes, and a professional sports franchise. That’s the kind of next-level experience that comes with being the team orthodontist for the Denver Nuggets.

So what does it really mean to be the smile expert behind one of the NBA’s most dynamic teams? Let’s take a look behind the scenes.

More Than Just Straightening Teeth

When people hear “orthodontist,” they usually think braces, aligners, and teens in retainers. And while that’s definitely a big part of the job, working with pro athletes brings an entirely different focus. The goal isn’t just straight teeth — it’s performance, protection, and long-term oral health.

For athletes at the top of their game, even the smallest detail matters. That includes how their teeth come together, how they breathe during intense games, and whether their jaw alignment could be causing strain or discomfort. It’s all connected.

Custom Mouthguards for Elite Performance

One of the biggest roles a team orthodontist plays? Creating custom mouthguards. These aren’t your standard store-bought guards — they’re high-tech, precision-fit pieces that:

• Protect teeth and jaws from injury
• Support better breathing and airflow
• Help reduce risk of concussions
• Provide comfort during high-impact moments

Each guard is tailored to the individual player’s bite, smile, and playing style. The right fit can mean the difference between staying in the game or heading to the locker room

Preventive Care for Long Seasons

NBA seasons are long and physically demanding. The last thing a player needs is a dental emergency in the middle of a playoff run. That’s why the team orthodontist also focuses on preventive care — identifying alignment issues early, helping manage grinding or jaw clenching, and making sure smiles stay strong throughout the season.

Whether it’s adjusting retainers, checking for early signs of TMJ discomfort, or just making sure each player has a winning smile for media day, it’s all part of the job.

Building Trust With the Team

Being the Nuggets’ team orthodontist isn’t just about expertise — it’s about trust. These athletes are entrusting you with their health, comfort, and performance. That relationship is built on years of consistent care, attention to detail, and understanding the unique needs of professional athletes.

It’s not unusual for a quick courtside consultation to turn into a late-night mouthguard adjustment before a big game. That’s the kind of dedication the role requires.

Representing the City of Denver

To be the orthodontist for a major NBA franchise like the Nuggets also means representing the Mile High City in a unique way. You’re not just helping the players — you’re showing fans, families, and the community that high-level care and professional sports go hand in hand.

It’s a blend of passion for dentistry, love for the game, and commitment to excellence that makes the role so meaningful.

Being the team orthodontist for the Denver Nuggets is about more than fixing crooked teeth — it’s about keeping athletes healthy, protected, and performing at their best. It's about supporting the team from behind the scenes and making sure every smile that hits the hardwood is ready for prime time.

It’s a slam dunk of a job — and a true honor to be part of the Nuggets family.

Did you know that it is not normal to breathe through your mouth? Mouth breathing can be detrimental to your health for several reasons, especially when it becomes a habit. If you find yourself or your child breathing through your mouth often, especially at night, it may be a good idea to have an evaluation that can help identify any underlying issues as mouth breathing can lead to several dental and breathing related issues and it can, in fact, be a sign of bigger problems. Here are seven ways that mouth breathing can have a negative effect on your health.

 Bad Breath! Dry Mouth and Increased Risk of Cavities - When you breathe through your mouth, your saliva evaporates more quickly, leading to a dry mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth from cavities, as it helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles and bacteria. A dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

 Impaired Breathing Function - Breathing through the nose has several advantages over mouth breathing, including filtration, warming, and humidification of the air. Your nose also produces nitric oxide, which helps with the efficient delivery of oxygen to your lungs and enhances immune function. Mouth breathing bypasses these benefits, making it less effective and potentially more harmful in the long term.

 Increased Risk of Respiratory Issues - Nasal breathing helps filter out dust, allergens, and pathogens, preventing them from reaching your lungs. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, doesn’t offer this protection, increasing the chances of inhaling irritants and pathogens. Over time, this can contribute to respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and frequent infections.

Posture and Jaw Development Issues - Chronic mouth breathing can negatively affect your posture and facial development, particularly in children. It can lead to improper tongue posture, which can affect the alignment of the teeth and jaw. This can result in issues like open bites (front teeth do not touch one another), overbites, underbites, and even changes in facial appearance over time. In some cases, it can contribute to conditions like "long face syndrome," where the face appears elongated due to the constant downward posture of the lower jaw and tongue.

Sleep Disturbances & Snoring - Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be one of more than 12 million Americans who are affected by sleep apnea. Mouth breathing during sleep can cause snoring, and in more severe cases, it can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The lack of proper airflow through the nose can cause the airway to collapse, leading to breathing interruptions during sleep and poor-quality rest.

Lower Oxygen Intake - Breathing through the nose ensures a more controlled, efficient intake of oxygen. It allows for deeper breaths, which can increase oxygen absorption. Mouth breathing, especially if it’s shallow, may not deliver as much oxygen to the body, which can lead to feelings of fatigue and decreased performance during physical activity.

Worsening of Allergies or Sinus Issues - People who breathe through their mouth may be more prone to developing sinus issues or exacerbating existing allergies. The nose acts as a filter for allergens, and when you bypass it by breathing through the mouth, you expose your respiratory system to more irritants.The nose has natural defense mechanisms like mucus and cilia that help trap and remove harmful particles, protecting your body from infections. Mouth breathing bypasses these protective features, making it easier for pathogens to enter the body and cause illnesses.

An evaluation from an orthodontist may help! When anatomical variations are present in the nasal passageway, jaw structure, or tongue posture, improper breathing or sleep disturbances can develop. An airway consultation can help identify potential issues and help treat the palate and jaw to restore proper healthy breathing through the nose.  Call Holt Orthodontics, 303-798-0928, now for your complimentary consultation and see how we can help.