Custom mouthguards are one of modern dentistry’s greatest advancements. Allowing patients to proactively prevent dental damages while engaging in contact sports or other high-risk activities, custom mouthguards are most commonly used as a preventative oral appliance. What many patients do not know is that custom mouthguards can be incorporated into a variety of other treatment plans, going above and beyond simply being used for sports. Here are some things that a custom mouthguard may be able to help you with:
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a common dental concern that we treat in our Oxnard, CA dentist office. Dr. Haddad provides custom mouthguards to help patients prevent potential dental damages caused by teeth grinding. Many patients are unaware that they have been grinding their teeth, often while they sleep, until their dentist points it out to them. Teeth grinding symptoms include worn-down teeth, loose teeth, sore jawbone, and facial pain. It’s important to reach out to your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect you’ve been grinding your teeth. With a custom nightguard, or a mouthguard that is worn at night, you can prevent bruxism from causing unwanted dental concerns down the road.
TMJ Disorders
Often, patients with a history of bruxism will develop a TMJ disorder. TMJ disorders occur when the temporomandibular joint of your jawbone becomes inflamed or injured. Other causes of TMJ disorders include bite misalignment and missing teeth. If you experience chronic jaw pain, tension headaches, or earaches, it is time to contact your dentist to learn more about TMJ treatment options. Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, Dr. Haddad will create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs. One treatment option for TMJ disorders is Oral Appliance Therapy, treating your pain with a custom mouthguard worn during sleep to hold your jaw in a healthier resting position and to prevent your jaw joints from taking on any additional pressure or tension.
Sleep Apnea
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you’ve probably heard a couple of complaints from roommates or sleeping partners about your loud snoring. At Beach Cities Dental Group in Oxnard, Dr. Georgia Haddad is one of the leading area dentists for the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in patients of all ages. One potential treatment plan for sleep apnea is oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy, similar to what is used to treat TMJ disorders is a convenient, non-invasive treatment to help reposition the jaw and open the airway as you sleep. Oral appliances can be an effective alternative to the CPAP, offering treatment that is more convenient and comfortable for most patients.
If you think you could benefit from treatment with a custom mouthguard, schedule an appointment with Dr. Haddad today. Dr. Haddad is a respected Oxnard, CA dentist dedicated to providing excellent care to her patients.