What is a mouth guard?
A mouth guard is an oral appliance that you wear over your teeth as a treatment for a variety of conditions. At Smile Dental Clinic, mouth guards are most often prescribed to treat sleep apnea or bruxism (the habitual grinding or clenching of your teeth).
Smile Dental Clinic’s mouth guards are custom-made for your particular smile. Your dentist takes an impression of your mouth that’s shipped to a lab, where your mouth guard is designed to fit comfortably on your teeth and hug every nook, cranny, and contour of your smile.
Why should I fix my teeth grinding?
If left untreated, chronic grinding or clenching of your teeth can hurt your health in a number of ways, like:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Earaches
- Tight, stiff, and tender shoulders
- Excess tooth mobility
- Inflammation and recession of your gums
- Decreased range of motion in your jaw
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Increased risk of tooth decay and infection
Don’t let your teeth grinding lead affect your quality of life. Let your Smile Dental Clinic dentist ease your symptoms with a mouth guard today!
How can a mouth guard treat my teeth grinding?
A mouth guard keeps your teeth separated when you sleep at night. While this doesn’t actually stop you from grinding or clenching your teeth, it does provide a softer surface for your teeth to rub against, which significantly reduces the amount of damage that your grinding can cause.
Why should I fix my sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder that deprives your body and brain of oxygen. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a number of short-term complications, such as:
- Fatigue
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Impaired memory
- An increased likelihood of auto accidents and occupational injuries
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Psychological impairments like attention deficit disorder and depression
If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment immediately with Smile Dental Clinic to have it treated.
How can a mouth guard treat my sleep apnea?
The mouth guards that Smile Dental Clinic prescribes for its sleep apnea patients are designed to open up your throat and keep your airway unobstructed. They do this by keeping your lower jaw pushed slightly forward and your tongue slightly elevated, which restores the free flow of oxygen into your system while you sleep.
To learn more about how Smile Dental Clinic can use mouth guards can treat your bruxism or sleep apnea, schedule an appointment today. You can call the office or book your visit online.
