Mouth Guards for Grinding
Summerlin, Las Vegas, and Henderson Nevada
Do you clench or grind your teeth at night? This behavior is known as bruxism. Left unchecked, this can cause catastrophic damage to your oral health. Let family dentist Dr. Matthew Wilson of Inspire Dental of Summerlin construct a custom-made mouth guard to protect your teeth from the devastating effects of bruxism.
Causes of Bruxism
Bruxism refers to teeth grinding or clenching. Bruxism can occur when a person is awake or, most commonly, during sleep. A study, recently completed by the American Dental Association, estimates that as many as 15 percent of adults in this country suffer from some form of bruxism.
Common causes of bruxism include:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Malocclusion, also referred to as a misaligned bite
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea
Risks of Bruxism
No two cases of bruxism are the same. There can be a wide variance in both the intensity and frequency of the behavior. At its most intense, bruxism can exert as many as 600 pounds per square inch of additional force on your teeth.
Severe cases of bruxism can do devastating levels of damage. An article, published by The Chicago Tribune, found that as many as 10 percent of bruxism patients had seen their teeth ground down to nubs. This devastating result greatly hindering the ability to eat and chew, ultimately requiring major tooth replacement procedures.
Bruxism is also responsible for pain in the jaw joints, often associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Studies have linked TMD to a variety of health issues including widespread chronic pain, migraines, frequent headaches, neck, and back pain.
Other risks of bruxism are damage to existing dental work such as crowns or fillings. The additional pressure can cause teeth to crack or the restorations to break or become loose.
How do we treat bruxism?
At Inspire Dental of Summerlin, we can help a patient suffering from bruxism by supplying a custom-made mouth guard. Our mouth guards are of a significantly higher quality than any mouthpiece you might find available for purchase in stores or online. By using impressions of your mouth, as a model, the dental lab will make your mouth guard to fit securely and comfortably as it prevents damage caused by bruxism.
The Process
We start the process for your customized mouth guard by assessing the state of your oral health, and severity of your condition. If any restorative treatments are needed, Dr. Wilson will address these concerns as part of your smile design plan.
Impressions of your mouth and teeth will be taken and sent to our trusted dental lab where your handcrafted mouth guard is made. It may take up to two weeks for the final product to arrive back at our office, but you will return at that time to receive your mouth guard, as well as any instructions on how to wear and care for your new oral appliance.
If you or someone you care about suffers from bruxism, seek help from Las Vegas dentist Dr. Matthew Wilson. Our custom-made mouth guards can have you living pain-free in no time!
Mouth Guards in Summerlin
To learn more about bruxism or how to protect your teeth with a custom-made mouth guard, contact our office by calling (702) 331-4700 to schedule a consultation.
Inspire Dental of Summerlin welcomes patients of Henderson, Las Vegas, and Summerlin, Nevada.
Sports Guards
Summerlin, Las Vegas, and Henderson Nevada
If you play sports, you are more likely to suffer damage to your teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), nearly one-third of dental emergencies are caused by sports-related accidents. A sports guard can protect your teeth while you engage in sports-related activities such as baseball, soccer, basketball, football, hockey, and even mountain biking.
A sports-related injury to the face increases your chance of causing damage to your mouth including:
- Avulsed tooth (knocked out)
- Lacerations of the lips, cheeks or other soft tissue inside the mouth
- Damage to existing dental work
- Broken, chipped, or fractured teeth
How Sports Guards Work
A sports guard absorbs the shock and force caused by trauma to the face. They help prevent seismic contact between teeth. Sports guards have also been shown to help prevent neurological injuries, such as concussions, by redistributing the force of an impact to the head. Our sports guards are custom made for each patient. Our sports guards are made of clear acrylic that fits over your teeth and is comfortable to wear while playing sports.
Who should get a sports guard?
Sports guards are not just for people who play contact sports such as football or wrestling. Sports guards are ideal if you skateboard, ski, surf, mountain bike, or are a gymnast. In fact, a sports guard offers protection while engaging in any sport in which an injury to the face may occur.
The Process
Getting a custom-made sports guard is easy! When you visit your Las Vegas dentist, Dr. Matthew Wilson, we take impressions of your mouth that are used to fabricate your sports guard. Since your new oral appliance is custom made, it will have a snug, yet comfortable fit, unlike those one-size-fits-all sports guards you can buy at pharmacies or sporting goods stores.
It may take up to two weeks for your sports guard to be made, but you will return to our office for a second appointment in which you will receive your oral appliance. Dr. Wilson will try in your new sports guard to ensure it fits properly.
Caring for a Sports Guard
You will be provided specific instructions on how to care for your sports guard. Don’t worry! It is easy! Using a soft bristled toothbrush, and mild soap, gently brush your sports guard after each use. Rinse with warm water, and be sure to store it in the designated case that we provide you. Ensure the sports guard, and inside of the storage case is completely dry before storing it away long-term. Never share your sports guard, or leave it in extreme heat such as the car. Let us know if it breaks or gets lost so that we can make you a new one.
Sports guards also help save you time and money down the road by avoiding costly dental repairs. Plus, nothing is as good as your natural teeth, so protect the teeth that you have! Once you receive your sports guard, be sure to wear it every time you play sports.
Sports Guards in Summerlin
To learn more about protecting your teeth with a custom-made sports guard or to find out about any of our other cosmetic or general dentistry services, please call us today at (702) 331-4700 to schedule an appointment.
Inspire Dental of Summerlin welcomes patients of Henderson, Las Vegas, and Summerlin, Nevada.
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