Mouth Guard The quality of your sleep can have serious effects on your physical and mental health. There are certain conditions which could drastically lower the quality of your sleep and cause long-term health effects. These conditions can sometimes be treated using a simple overnight mouthguard. You can select from several different variations of these mouthguards, including custom mouthguards from Rolling Plains Dentistry. We can also instruct you on how to best maintain the condition of your mouthguard.Associated ConditionsThere are two main reasons why a patient would need to wear a mouthguard throughout the night. The first condition, called bruxism, is common in many younger patients. This condition causes the patient to clench their teeth while they sleep. This causes jaw and gum pain, headaches, tooth damage, and several other symptoms. The second condition, sleep apnea, can manifest in several different forms. Obstructive sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea have a physical component which causes the patient to halt their breathing during sleep. This condition is also associated with chronic snoring. Overnight mouthguards help with these conditions by acting as a barrier between teeth and by keeping the jaw in the right position. Variations of MouthguardsThe most basic mouthguard you can get is a stock mouthguard, which can be found at many pharmacies and retailers. These are the least expensive of the three types, but they are also the least helpful. They are not as comfortable as the other types, either, since they are one size fits all. The second type, which is a middle ground of the three types, is the boil and bite mouthguard. These can also be purchased from pharmacies and retailers. You would simply put this mouthguard in boiling water to soften the material, remove it, and wait for it to cool. Once it has cooled off enough to safely touch it, you can put it on your teeth. Then, mold it over your teeth by simply pressing on it with your fingers. These are more costly than stock mouthguards. They are slightly more helpful, but not the best. The best choice to resolve sleep-related conditions is a custom mouthguard. We will construct this at a dental lab using a dental impression that we obtain from you at our office. The material is molded over this impression so that it is the perfect fit. These are the most helpful type of mouthguard because they are custom fit. Mouthguard Storage and CleaningMouthguards should be kept in a storage case when you are not sleeping. We provide storage cases for custom mouthguards, but you may need to buy a case separately for over-the-counter options. Rinse the mouthguard when you get up each morning with soap and water. Use lukewarm water, not hot, as hot water can change the shape of the material. We will look at the condition of your mouthguard at each routine appointment. Slight alterations can be made if necessary, such as filing it to reduce pressure on the teeth. We may also recommend a new mouthguard from time to time. To learn more about overnight mouthguards, call Rolling Plains Dentistry at 940-663-5353. |
