Mouthguards might seem like a pretty straightforward dental tool, but the truth is that they serve more than one purpose. While we most often think of using mouthguards during physical activities, using a mouthguard for TMJ might help you get pain relief.
Keep reading to learn about what mouthguards do and the top reasons people wear them from your Edinburg dentists.
Mouthguards for Sports
Perhaps the most obvious reason a person might wear a mouthguard is for protection while participating in contact sports like football or boxing. The mouthguards worn during physical-contact sports are specifically made for that purpose and help to protect from dental injuries.
Mouthguards are also sometimes worn during sports like ice skating and biking to protect the teeth in case of a fall.
Mouthguards and Teeth Grinding
Another straightforward use for a mouthguard is for teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism. In this case, the mouthguard helps prevent the teeth from rubbing together. For most people, teeth grinding happens during sleep, so mouthguards for teeth grinding are often called night guards. However, this type of guard can be worn during the day or night to relieve symptoms.
Night guards might also offer some relief for temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJ or TMD).
Mouthguards for TMJ
Mouthguards don’t just protect teeth from damage, they can also support your jaw alignment. Mouthguards for TMJ do just that. TMJ mouthguards are specially made to fit your mouth and reposition your jaw. Using mouthguards for TMJ helps alleviate the jaw pain and headaches often associated with the condition.
Because TMJ mouthguards are meant to adjust the alignment of your unique bite, it may take several adjustments before you see optimal results. If you have TMJ, talk to your dentist about whether or not a TMJ mouthguard is right for you.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Mouthguards
Finally, there are mouthguards made to help relieve snoring and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you sleep. Snoring, on the other hand, is caused by air moving through your throat or mouth and vibrating the tissue.
The mouthguard for snoring or sleep apnea helps to reposition your jaw and open up your airway, preventing the vibrations that cause snoring and the air resistance that causes sleep apnea.
Protect Your Smile With Rio Grande Valley Dentists at Heroes Dental
From TMJ mouthguards to mouthguards for teeth grinding, you can see there are all sorts of dental guards that you can use to protect your dental health. No matter what dental issue you may be facing, you can talk to your family dentists at Heroes Dental to find the right treatment for you.
If you have sleep apnea or TMJ, come and see your dentists at Heroes Dental to learn more about mouthguards.