Mouthguards are created to alleviate pressure and protect your teeth, face, and jaw from injury and stress. Mouthguards can be used to reposition your jaw at night and help open your airways while you sleep. If you have a known sleep disorder or engage in sports, wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces the chances of tooth or jaw damage. Not everyone needs a mouthguard, but those who do benefit greatly from them. So, how do you know if you need a mouthguard?
You Clench and Grind Your Teeth
If you suffer from a condition called bruxism, which is the unconscious clenching and grinding of your teeth while you sleep at night, you can benefit from getting a custom mouthguard to wear in your sleep. The mouthguard acts as a barrier between your lower and upper and jaw and keeps your teeth from grinding against one another and causing each other damage. It will help to alleviate sore gums, headaches, and jaw pain as well.
You Snore at Night
If you have family members or partners nagging you about your loud snoring, you may benefit from looking into mouthguards in Downtown Calgary. A mouthguard can prevent the obstruction of your airways by gently pushing your jaw forward and stopping you from snoring.
You Have Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that causes a person to stop breathing for intervals of up to 10 seconds throughout the night. Those who have a mild form of sleep apnea can benefit from a mouthguard similar to those who snore; the mouthguard will push their lower jaw forward and keep the airways open at night.
You Play Sports
Athletes have a higher risk of physical injury, including injury to the head and mouth. If you play sports such as hockey, basketball, or boxing, getting a sports guard near you will protect your teeth and jaw from serious injury.
You Wear Braces
Many people who have braces don’t realize that they can still wear mouthguards to protect their teeth, jaw, and soft tissues while playing sports or sleeping. If you require a mouthguard and have braces, a dentist near you can design a custom mouthguard that will fit over your braces. A properly fitted mouthguard can also protect your inner cheeks and tongue from lacerations from your brackets if you fall or sustain an injury to your face.
You Have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
TMD is a disorder in which excessive strain on the jaw joints and muscles causes pain and discomfort such as headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, and worn teeth. The use of a mouthguard won’t cure the disorder, but it will help to stabilize your jaw and alleviate the painful symptoms associated with it. Wearing a mouthguard daily can reduce the amount of pressure placed on your upper and lower jaw.
Types of Mouthguards
There are three main types of mouthguards available: boil and bite mouthguards, stock mouthguards, and custom-made mouthguards. For the best fit, comfort, and protection, you should consider getting a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist in Downtown Calgary. Custom-made mouthguards are specifically designed to fit the structure of your mouth, preventing them from being too loose or too tight and allowing them to properly protect the vulnerable areas of your mouth.
At Bow ValleyDental, we offer custom-made mouthguards near you. If you feel that you could benefit from the protection and relief of mouthguards, please contact our clinic today. Our team of dedicated dental professionals is happy to help you.