If you play a sport or struggle with bruxism, a mouthguard is necessary to preserve the condition of your teeth. Here’s how mouthguards protect your oral health:
Prevent Mouth Injuries
Athletes in contact sports need to wear mouthguards for protection against face and mouth injuries. If you receive a blow to the face while playing a sport, the mouthguard will absorb some of the impacts. It will also spread the impact out across a larger surface area. This can reduce or entirely prevent damage to the teeth and mouth.
Even if a mouthguard isn’t required to play your sport, wearing a mouthguard is likely the wise choice. Sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball aren’t technically contact sports, but present the risk of dental injuries and should be played with a mouthguard.
Protection Against TMJ Disorders
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. Bruxism, which is the clenching or grinding of the teeth, can contribute to TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders often cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty chewing.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, wearing a mouthguard can keep you from developing a TMJ disorder or relieve the symptoms of a current TMJ disorder. Mouthguards open the jaw back up when you grind or clench during the night, which reduces strain on the TMJ. This allows the inflamed joint to heal, leading to relief from pain and discomfort.
Stop Damage To The Teeth
Similarly, if you clench or grind at night, you can cause significant damage to the teeth over time. Bruxism can lead to a worn-down enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, chipped or broken teeth, and even tooth loss. By wearing a mouthguard, you can protect your teeth against damage by reducing the impact on your teeth whenever you clench or grind.
At Dalton Dental, we offer custom-fit, high-quality mouthguards for superior comfort. It can be difficult to get used to wearing a mouthguard, but with our durable, high-performance mouthguards, you can trust that the mouthguard will stay in place and fit like a glove. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS
Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.
She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.
She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.
To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.