Sean Abidin, DDS & Vanessa Cao, DDS, provide a wide array of dental services, including custom mouthguards. In this blog post, we discuss the numerous potential benefits of a well-fitting mouthguard.
- Prevent Mouth Injuries During Sports
- Reduce Tension in the Jaw
- Protect Teeth From Grinding
- Treat Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Do you play competitive or recreational sports during which you may come in contact with other players, the ground, or equipment? You’ll want to wear a mouthguard to lessen the damage caused by a hit or fall. You are 60 times more likely to experience tooth damage without a mouthguard. While some injuries can be corrected with treatment, some cause permanent damage.
The American Dental Association recommends wearing a custom mouthguard during the following sports to help prevent traumatic dental injuries: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. And we recommend also adding baseball and softball to that list.
Pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints of the jaw can be reduced with a mouthguard. We can provide you with an oral appliance to reduce the stress put on your jaw joints, resulting in less pain and improved range of motion.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can cause significant dental damage. Grinding can wear down the enamel, cause broken teeth, and increase your risk of sensitivity, tooth decay, and loss. A mouthguard worn during the night creates a physical barrier to protect your teeth.
Snoring is sometimes associated with obstructive sleep apnea. If you have this sleep disorder, you stop breathing multiple times a night because the soft tissues in your throat collapse and block your airway. Sleep apnea can cause headaches, daytime sleepiness, and irritability. A special oral device can reposition your jaw to prevent airway blockage.
Custom Mouthguard vs. Store-Bought Mouthguard
While a store-bought mouthguard is certainly convenient, its imperfect fit cannot deliver the comfort and benefits offered by a custom mouthguard. A custom mouthguard is carefully molded to your mouth for optimal results.
Sean Abidin, DDS & Vanessa Cao, DDS, make custom mouthguards to treat a variety of dental conditions. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can discuss which type of mouthguard is the best choice for you.