Bruxism is a condition that affects nearly 1 in 3 people in the US today, and it is characterized by unconscious jaw clenching and teeth grinding. This causes many people to have a sore jaw and notice that their teeth are severely worn down. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, we can help! Using a simple custom-made mouthpiece called a nightguard, we can help you rest easy at night and prevent your smile from taking unnecessary damage.
PROTECTIVE MOUTHGUARDS: KEEP YOUR SMILE SAFE!
The jaw muscle, or masseter muscle, is actually one of the strongest muscles in the human body, and it can produce up to 200 pounds of pressure when you clench or grind your teeth due to bruxism. Often times, you may not even be aware of your clenching or grinding because it is commonly done while sleeping. If your teeth are left unprotected, the tremendous forces can cause significant trauma. This can lead to fractures, chips and weakened enamel that can result in cavities and additional breakages, which may necessitate a root canal or extraction.
A properly fitted custom dental nightguard can substantially decrease damage caused by the forces of bruxism. If your dentist has recommended a nightguard and you haven’t yet obtained one, it is highly recommended that you do. Wearing a nightguard can literally save your teeth.
SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS
You’d never send your child out onto the field or court without their protective gear on, right? This can include a helmet, shin guards, and many other things, but the point is to keep your child save. However, what many people forget is their teeth. It is extremely common for the teeth to be injured while playing sports, and this is especially true for children.
This is why Cornerstone Dental Arts proudly offers custom sports mouthguards through PlaySafe®. These custom mouthguards provide superior protection for teeth, gums, and can even help prevent concussions.
In fact, the results of a study published in May/June of 2014 through the Academy of General Dentistry clearly indicates that custom athletic mouthguards can protect athletes against concussions. Not only is it important to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth and gums, but this new evidence shows that they can cut down on the occurrence of concussions by as much as half.
Are you uncertain about whether or not your child is adequately protected by his or her sports mouthguard? If so, we encourage you to bring it with you to your next dental appointment at Cornerstone Dental Arts and we’ll be happy to examine its effectiveness with you.
