Dental Mouthguards for Fort Gratiot, MI Patients
Mouthguards for TMJ, Sleep Apnea, & Teeth Grinding Protection
Many of our patients at Smile Zone Dental come to us for dental mouthguards in and Fort Gratiot, Monroe MI. Usually worn over your teeth while you’re sleeping or playing sports, mouthguards protect your teeth from injury or damage. Just as every patient at our dental practice is different, so too are mouthguards. Mouthguards come in stock small, medium, and large sizes, as well as one-size-fits-all boil-and-bite options and custom-made varieties, which are created using a mold of your teeth. While you may be familiar with mouthguards if you’ve ever been an athlete, they also aid patients with teeth grinding and clenching issues caused by sleep apnea, TMJ, and other disorders. The reason you need a mouthguard and your budget often dictate what type we recommend for you. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of mouthguards (also called nightguards or occlusal guards), we encourage you to reach out and schedule an appointment with our family dentist who welcomes new patients of all ages.
Smile Zone Dental Analyzes the Different Types of Mouthguards
There are three main types of dental mouthguards for your consideration. Understanding the basic differences between them is essential to determine which is best for your needs:
- Stock Mouthguards – Stock mouthguards are readily available at your nearest drugstore or sporting goods store. They come in standard small, medium, and large sizes to fit over most people’s top teeth. While they’re usually cheaper than custom-made mouthguards from your dentist, you may be sacrificing comfort with that smaller price tag.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards – Boil-and-bite mouthguards are also inexpensive and sold in most drugstores, although they only come in one size. You must boil the mouthguard until it’s soft enough to bite down on, so you can customize it to fit snugly over your front teeth.
- Custom-Made Mouthguards – Custom-made mouthguards are the ones created at Smile Zone Dental using a mold of your teeth. Because they offer a tighter fit, they’re suggested if you need to wear a mouthguard for sleeping. You won’t have to worry about your custom mouthguard coming out while you’re asleep, which is crucial if you have sleep apnea or grind your teeth at night. While they may be a bit more expensive than the standard drugstore options, dental insurance may cover part or all of their costs. We accept most dental plans and have financing available through CareCredit®, Lending Club, and Proceed Finance for patients.
Mouthguards Prevent Sports Injuries for Patients of All Ages
Being an athlete may be fulfilling, but it also comes with certain risks to your health and well-being. Participating in contact sports increases your risk of facial trauma and injury to your teeth and soft oral tissues if you don’t have adequate protection. If you participate in any of the following activities regularly, we suggest contacting us to discuss getting fitted for a dental mouthguard at either our or Fort Gratiot, MI dental practice:
- Football
- Hockey
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Soccer
- Rugby
- Volleyball
- Racquetball
- Gymnastics
- Acrobatics
- Skateboarding
- Skiing
- In-Line Skating
- Cycling
Not an Athlete? Mouthguards Benefit Our Other Patients
Mouthguards aren’t just for athletes anymore. If you wear braces or have extensive bridgework or implant-supported dentures, they often act as a buffer between your dental appliances and your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouthguards prevent the risk of trauma to your soft tissue. Mouthguards benefit patients with any of the following:
- TMJ – Our dentist may recommend you wear a mouthguard for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), which is a painful condition affecting your jaw joints and muscles. Mouthguards help relieve the tension and stress caused by TMJ, which can help you sleep better at night.
- Sleep Apnea – Many individuals with sleep apnea also have issues with snoring. Wearing a sleep apnea mouthguard may help you breathe better at night with less likelihood of snoring because it pushes your tongue and lower jaw forward to help keep your airways clear.
- Chronic Headaches – Do you suffer from a headache every morning? Teeth grinding at night may be the culprit, as excess pressure on your jaw often leads to headaches.
- Bruxism – Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) often leads to worn down tooth enamel, cavities, fracturing, tooth sensitivity, and other dental issues. Wearing a teeth grinding guard may help alleviate the symptoms commonly associated with bruxism.
Contact Smile Zone Dental for a Consultation Today
Would you like to discuss the benefits of dental mouthguards with our Fort Gratiot, Monroe MI dentist in greater detail? Please contact Smile Zone Dental today to schedule an appointment. Whether you play sports, or you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, we’d welcome the opportunity to explain how a mouthguard could protect your teeth from damage. Don’t let anxiety over their cost and maintenance or your public image and comfort deter you from wearing a mouthguard. Taking care of your mouthguard is easy. You must remember to wash it after each use with soap and cool water (heat can damage it) or by soaking it in mouthwash. Never leave it anywhere with direct sunlight exposure or bend or chew on it. Adjustments should only be made by your dentist. If you take care of it, a custom mouthguard from Smile Zone Dental may last you a year or more. Talk to us today!
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