Am I a Candidate for a Mouthguard?

Coming across the term mouthguard, most people think about boxers and other athletes. It is a common misconception that mouthguards are just for athletes. Mouthguards provide preventive protection from chronic teeth grinding or relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder. They are a protective barrier for tooth restorations from restorative dental procedures.

Mouthguards can serve a variety of purposes for various oral issues. It would be best to see your dentist if you want to get a mouthguard. Dentists can prescribe custom-made mouthguards for the reason you want one. Below are some reasons you might need or want a mouthguard

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

When you grind or clench your teeth at night, you will likely wake up with a sore jaw. If you start to do this regularly, you might have to see your dentist. This is because grinding or clenching your teeth at night can cause your teeth to wear. It can be caused by various issues, including stress, a misaligned bite, sleep disorders, and many others. While determining the cause can be difficult, addressing it is vital.

When the dentist has addressed the damage caused by the grinding, the next step is to recommend a mouthguard. It also goes by the name splint or night guard. It will cover your teeth, separating them while you sleep. Your enamel will not wear under the grinding or clenching.

Do You Have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

TMJ can cause constant jaw discomfort when chewing or loss of mobility in your mouth. It is a common disorder, with over 10 million Americans suffering from it. You might experience clicking or popping sounds, followed by pain or dull migraines.

The first step to addressing TMJ is to wear a custom-made mouthguard at night. It gives your jaw muscles the time to recover and prevents your teeth from wearing down. The mouthguards are custom-made to deal with the complexity of the TMJ disorder.

Do You Do Sports?

When doing sports, you should have proper protection of your teeth. Sports can give you any of several types of teeth-related injuries. Most of them are chipped or broken teeth, fractured tooth roots, and cuts to the mouth tissue and the lips. You can reduce the likeliness of picking up injuries by wearing a custom-made mouthguard.

A study also suggests that wearing a mouthguard reduces the risk of suffering a sports-related concussion. The material that mouthguards are made from helps cushion a blow to the teeth.

Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?

It may seem counterproductive to introduce more things in your mouth if you suffer from sleep apnea. But incorporating a mandibular advancement device might get you a better night’s sleep. The mouthguard on the lower jaw causes the tongue and jaw to reposition and keep the airway clear. This device is also effective for people who snore loudly and have nighttime bruxism.

For more on mouthguards, call John K. See, DDS, at (805) 920-8600 to reach our office in Camarillo, California.