Mouth Guard Night Guard
Hillsboro, OR
Our dentists at Century Dental recommend wearing a mouth guard while sleeping if you suffer from grinding or clenching your teeth with TMJ/TMD at night. Mouth guards offer removable coverings that can protect your teeth if you have a sleep condition like sleep apnea
Bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder that causes grinding and clenching during your sleep. This condition can cause problems such as jaw pain, tooth pain, and sore gums. If you continue to grind your teeth without a mouth guard, it will wear them down. Tooth enamel cannot be rebuilt, therefore it is important to preserve it. If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep you should wear a mouth guard at night to protect your enamel from wearing down.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that may cause you to decide to wear a mouth guard at night. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to temporarily stop breathing while you sleep. This means that your brain will not receive enough oxygen and increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. Using a CPAP assists you with sleep apnea by opening up your airways while you sleep. Mouth guards can provide a similar effect if you wear one while you sleep. If you stop breathing during your sleep, you should wear a mouth guard at night to keep your mouth and airways open.
Mouth Guards Can Help You Sleep
There are three types of mouth guards: custom, stock, and boil and bite. Stock mouth guards and boil and bite mouth guards are available for you to purchase at a drug store and come ready to wear. However, we do not recommend using these mouth guards, especially if you are using it as a nightguard because they are ill-fitting. If you are using a mouth guard to help with your sleep apnea, stock and boil and bite mouth guards will not help, you will need a mouth guard with a strap that will be able to adjust your jaw. Your mouth guard should push your lower jaw and tongue forward so that your airway can be kept open while you sleep. An effective mouth guard will be custom fitted by a dentist. The best mouth guard for you and one that fits your condition will be custom-made by our dentist out of acrylic or plastic material.
Caring For Your Mouth Guard Is Easy
Take care of your mouth guard similar to how you can for your teeth daily. Before and after using your mouth guard, rinse it with cold water and wash it with soap while brushing it with a toothbrush. When you are not wearing your mouth guard, store it in a hard perforated container. This kind of case will keep bacteria from growing on your mouth guard by permitting air circulation. High temperatures may cause your mouth guard to warp, so keep it away from high temperatures, hot water, and hot surfaces. When your mouth guard becomes loose, you need to replace it so that it can continue to work for you.
Sleep Better With A Mouth Guard
If you need to wear a mouth guard at night to help you sleep, let our experienced dentists at Century Dental be your trusted care provider. Call us now at (971) 708-1608 to schedule an appointment. |
