If you play sports, have a sleeping disorder, grind your teeth, or have a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, you may consider a mouthguard. A mouthguard is an effective oral device that is used to prevent and reduce trauma to the mouth. To evaluate whether your dental issue can benefit from a mouthguard, schedule a consultation with one of our skilled general dentistry/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ.
What is a mouthguard?
A mouth guard is a type of protective dental appliance that covers your teeth and gums. Essentially, it provides a barrier that protects your teeth, gums, lips, and mouth from injury. Ultimately, it prevents and reduces trauma to the mouth. This type of oral device can be worn during the day and at night depending on what it is intended to do. For instance, if a dentist recommends you wear it to prevent your teeth from grinding while you sleep, you only need to wear the mouthguard at night. It is imperative to note that you should always wear a mouthguard when playing any type of sport to prevent and reduce the risk of injury to the mouth.
Are there different types?
Several different types of mouthguards are used to protect your teeth. These types of oral devices can be bought from a store or custom-made by a dentist. Having a custom mouthguard is more effective than just buying it from a store as it may not fit your teeth perfectly. The most common types of mouthguards are as follows:
- Mouthguards for grinding teeth. This type of oral device is one that you wear over your teeth while you sleep at night. For some people, their teeth grind against each other while they sleep. This is especially common in individuals that have sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Mouthguards help prevent the upper and lower teeth from grinding or clenching while you sleep. While sleeping, your jaw clenches and the mouthguard forces the jaw to loosen. This will reduce grinding and clenching as it occurs most commonly when you are asleep. In addition, they are sometimes used to treat Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders. This type of oral device can correct your bite by placing your jaw in the correct position.
- Mouthguards for sports. Moreover, this type of oral device is commonly used when playing sports. Mouthguards protect your teeth from sports-related injuries. For instance, in soccer, if you are kicked in the face with a soccer ball, a mouthguard can help reduce the damage as it provides a barrier between your teeth and lips. In addition, if you are playing basketball and someone elbows you in the mouth, a mouthguard would reduce the risk of trauma to the mouth. When playing sports, players get injured and suffer broken, chipped, or avulsed teeth from being hit in the mouth.
For more information on the benefits of wearing a mouthguard, please schedule an appointment with one of our proficient dentists today. Our team will work tirelessly to help you solve your dental issues to help you maintain your overall oral health.
