Mouthguards 101

Mouthguards have multiple purposes in order to keep your smile in great shape. Our orthodontist in Lombard is happy to explain the process of getting a mouthguard from the initial appointment to the final product. Here are a few reasons why mouthguards are important and why you should start using one:

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects nearly 3 million Americans on an annual basis. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include morning headaches, nighttime sweating, loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping, high blood pressure, or difficulty concentrating. Multiple clinical studies indicate that the usage of mouthguards helps to reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. This device will prevent your teeth from grinding together and will reduce the stress in your mouth. Many patients find their mouth guard comfortable and easy to wear at night.

Prevention of Tooth Damage

The nightly unconscious grinding of the teeth and jaw can lead to chipped teeth and damaged fillings. Using night guards will save you costly tooth damage and it will safeguard the quality of your smile. Damage can also come from playing different physical sports, so having your mouthguard with you can prevent you from having any undesirable damage to your teeth, especially if you are wearing braces. Many of our clients have noted that using mouthguards helped them to reduce sensitivity on their teeth as well. Opting for a mouthguard won’t harm your teeth, so if you are on the fence about whether or not to get one, you have nothing to lose.

Prevention of Snoring

Snoring is a common problem and there may be multiple reasons why you’re experiencing it. Snoring could be chronic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be controlled. Our orthodontists will make sure to adjust your mouthguard to make sure it works flawlessly. Mouthguards are designed to create a small space between the jaws and it will increase your air intake and effectively allow you to breathe better. The implementation of your mouthguard will help reduce your snoring significantly, improving not only your sleep, but your partner’s sleep as well.

Contact Us Today

If you think a mouthguard might benefit you, don’t hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience. Our orthodontist in Lombard is happy to assist you!