One major part of maintaining a lasting, healthy smile is protecting it. As with most medical concerns, taking steps to prevent damage is better than addressing it when it happens. Mouthguards can be critical to keeping your smile safe for those living an active lifestyle. In addition to protecting from damage while engaging in sports, mouthguards can also prevent damage caused by Bruxism. Bruxism is a chronic grinding or clenching of teeth that can damage your teeth if left untreated.
Mouthguards Save Your Smile At Aloe Dental Wellness
Sports guards, mouth guards, and night guards are all oral appliances used to protect your teeth from damage. Our enamel may be the most robust material in our body, but it’s still susceptible to damage. Unlike our bones, enamel can’t regrow once it becomes damaged. This makes protecting our teeth a vital part of ongoing oral health. When you see our team in Santa Barbara, CA, our team may suggest mouthguards to protect your smile.
- Night Guards – Night guards are mouthguards used by those suffering from Bruxism or certain other sleep disorders. Patients experiencing Bruxism clench and grind their teeth subconsciously. In most cases, this occurs primarily during sleep. The consequences of Bruxism can be damaged teeth, migraines, TMJ pain, and more. Night guards ensure the teeth remain separated and cushion them against grinding and clenching.
- Sports Guards – These guards are often used by athletes engaged in sports where impacts to the face or jaw are common. These appliances are often required by children engaging in school sports but should be worn by athletes of any age. They can be designed to fit easily over braces and should be replaced once every six months.
- Mouth Guards – A range of other mouthguards address various oral health concerns. TMD and obstructive sleep apnea are two conditions that can be successfully treated with these devices. Mouth guards can also address misaligned teeth and traumatic injuries to the teeth and jaw. In this latter case, they assist the healing process.
While you can purchase generic sports guards over the counter, customization helps ensure the best protection. Further, custom-designed mouthguards fit better and are more comfortable to wear over time. Another option for sports guards is boil-and-bite sports guards. These are the midway point between generic mouthguards and custom guards. You boil them until the material is soft and then bite down on them to create a better fit.
Contact Aloe Dental Wellness For You Mouth Guard
If you’re experiencing an oral health concern you think may be treatable with a mouth guard, contact our office. We’ll arrange for an appointment at our Santa Barbara, CA location with Dr. Cadavid. Your oral health will be assessed during your visit, and consultation will be provided. This consultation will provide appropriate solutions for your oral health concerns, including using a mouth guard. Call us today to take an important step in protecting your oral health!
