It is important to give our teeth maximum protection when they need it, as enamel cannot be replaced naturally. Most people are already aware that, when playing a contact sport, the athletes need to wear a mouthguard. However, not many people realize that mouthguards can also protect the teeth at night. Bruxism is a condition in which an individual grinds their teeth, and this condition can be difficult to stop during sleep. To prevent damage to the teeth during the night, My Dentist Friend offers custom-fit mouthguards to protect bruxism sufferers’ teeth from damage.

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Why Are Mouthguards Necessary?

Patients may find themselves waking up from jaw pain. Alternately, a partner might inform a patient that they hear grinding during the night. Bruxism can affect our patients’ sleep, meaning that they have less energy during the day. Not only are there these noticeable symptoms, which also include headaches and fatigue, but our patients’ teeth will also become increasingly damaged. A custom-fit mouthguard alleviates the pain, allowing our patients to have a good night’s sleep and prevent damaging their enamel.

Mouthguards are worn during the night, which allows the rubber of the mouthguard to take the impact of the teeth grinding instead of the opposing dental arches. Mouthguards will need to be replaced once they are worn down thoroughly. Alongside the mouthguard, our Dentists also may ask our patients to make some changes to their diet or medication if our Dentists thinks this could be affecting the bruxism condition. However, mouthguards are more effective, as diet and medication are not necessarily the cause. NTIs, which are a type of splint, are a small plastic device that sits on either the upper of lower jaw to prevent the dental arches from touching during sleep. It is another possible solution for bruxism, but NTIs do not offer the same extent of protection compared to a mouthguard.

How Do I Get a Mouthguard?

Mouthguards are available through our office. For patients who are exhibiting the symptoms of bruxism, our team advises the molding of a mouthguard. This mold is sent to a dental lab where they will make a custom-fit mouthguard that fits snugly in the mouth.

Over-the-counter mouthguards are available in sports stores, but they do not offer the same amount of protection compared to custom-fit mouthguards. Furthermore, over-the-counter mouthguards can be more cumbersome and difficult for breathing, which is not ideal for sleeping. Custom-fit mouthguards are customizable in their color, lettering, and the optional inclusion of glitter. This can be ideal for children if they need to get used to using a mouthguard or for an adult who wants something more aesthetically pleasing.

Custom-fit mouthguards offer better protection for our patients’ teeth, and the custom-fit mouthguards do not need to be replaced as often. My Dentist Friend offers custom-fit mouthguards so you can experience constant relief from bruxism anywhere you travel. If you are exhibiting symptoms of bruxism, our professionals can help investigate the cause. To book your molding appointment, contact our office at 856-484-4114.