Mouthguards in Greensboro, NC Mouthguards are more than just an appliance you wear with braces. In fact, wearing a mouthguard can be lifesaving as well as teeth-saving. Our expert dentists can help get you fitted with your own mouthguard at Phillips Prosthodontics. We want to make sure your teeth are protected. What Are Mouthguards?Mouthguards, also called night guards, are protective appliances dentists use to safeguard dental work and to help with specific conditions. If you are an athlete, you may wear a mouthguard every time you step out on the basketball court or the hockey rink to protect your teeth. That’s because many injuries to the mouth occur during sports activities. Over a third of all injuries to teeth and gums are because of a sports activity. Mouthguards can either be hard or soft. No matter if you get a soft or hard mouthguard, you will want to talk with your dentist to have a mouthguard fitted specifically for your teeth and your dental issue. What Are Mouthguards Used For?Mouthguards may also be used at night to help with bruxism. People who clench or grind their teeth do a lot of damage to their mouths. Bruxism can cause migraines, jaw pain, especially in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and even a change in the shape of your face. Dentists worry about bruxism because of the damage bruxism can do to teeth and dental work. Over time, clenching or grinding your teeth can lead to broken, chipped, or cracked teeth; resulting in cracked fillings and crowns, and cracked veneers or bridges. Wearing a mouthguard protects your dental work, not to mention your jaw joint, from clenching and grinding. A dentist may also recommend mouthguards to help with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common condition, especially among men in midlife. Sleep apnea causes you to momentarily stop breathing throughout the night. If you have sleep apnea, you may wake up feeling exhausted, even though you think you slept peacefully through the night. Sleep apnea is potentially a dangerous condition that can lead to an increase in blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke. Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, a dentist can make a mouthguard that will help keep your airway in the proper position. Not only will you get more rest and lower your chances of heart attack or stroke, but you also are saving your teeth. Over time, people with sleep apnea have an increase in tooth decay and gum disease because sleep apnea causes you to sleep with your mouth open. This dries out the saliva in your mouth, a primary mouth defense against the bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. By wearing a mouthguard, you’re defending your teeth and gums against disease and decay. Do you think you might need a mouthguard? We at Phillips Prosthodontics can help. Why not reach out to us at 336-274-5400 today and schedule an appointment with us? |
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