Are You a Candidate for a Mouth Guard?

Mouth guards are not just for those who play contact sports. Patients who suffer from teeth grinding or temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, can greatly benefit from wearing mouth guards because they can protect the teeth from the damaging effects of teeth grinding and alleviate the symptoms of TMD. When combined with general dentistry treatments, dental mouth guards can help keep your smile healthy and beautiful. To find out if a mouth guards is suitable for your dental needs, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team at Forney Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. 

Candidates for Mouth Guards

There are different types of mouth guards designed for different needs. Store-bought mouth guards are generally designed for wear during sports, whereas patients that need relief from TMD or teeth grinding generally use custom-made mouth guards. Candidates for mouth guards include:

• Those who play contact sports: Those who play contact sports, like football, hockey, or boxing, are more prone to facial injury, which can lead to dental damage. Wearing a mouth guard during these activities can help protect the teeth from injury.
• Those who skateboard or rollerblade: Those who skateboard or rollerblade, especially those who do trick riding, are also at increased risk of dental damage and should consider wearing a mouth guard to protect the smile.
• Those who suffer from teeth grinding: Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is damaging to the teeth. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to dental fractures, tooth decay, and even wear the teeth down. Mouth guards can provide a layer of protection for teeth grinding sufferers, helping to prevent wear and damage.
• Those who suffer from TMD: TMD is a condition often recognized by a clicking jaw that gets stuck or locked in place. Some symptoms of TMD include jaw pain, constant dull headaches, and even neck pain. Clenching the jaw often aggravates TMD. For most TMD sufferers, jaw clenching occurs while sleeping. Mouth guards may be worn at night to reduce jaw clenching, which in turn can help relieve the symptoms of TMD.

The Benefits of Wearing a Mouth Guard

Mouth guards offer many benefits for those who suffer from teeth grinding or TMD, or are at risk of sports-related injuries. Wearing a mouth guard can help protect the teeth from damage, preventing the need for costly restorative treatments. If you play sports, or suffer from bruxism or TMD, you may want to consider wearing a mouth guard for the many benefits they offer, such as:

• Offers the teeth protection from injuries
• Reduces the damage of chronic teeth grinding, including dental fractures and severe wear
• Helps reduce the need for costly dental repairs by protecting the teeth from injury
• Helps alleviate the symptoms of TMD

Are You a Candidate for a Mouth Guard?

For more information about mouth guards, to find out if you're a candidate, or to get fitted with a custom mouth guard schedule a consultation with Forney Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. We look forward to hearing from you.

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