mouthguardsMouthguards

Apex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina

Protecting your teeth with a mouthguard or nightguard is part of the preventive care that we offer at Triangle Periodontics. Mouthguards can be worn to protect your teeth against clenching and grinding habits known as bruxism. Plus, they are custom-made, convenient, and can save you time and money by preventing costly repairs in dental work down the road.

Do I need a mouthguard?

The purpose of a mouthguard is to bear the brunt of trauma caused from clenching and grinding your teeth. Bruxism is most often brought on by stress. Some patients are not even aware that they suffer from bruxism, but the effects of this habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and oral health.

Bruxism causes issues including:

  • Worn down teeth
  • Broken, fractured, or chipped teeth
  • Loose teeth
  • Gum recession
  • Deteriorates existing dental work
  • Sore teeth
  • Jaw pain
  • TMJ disorders
  • Pain/discomfort while chewing or biting
  • Headaches or migraines

Why protect my teeth from bruxism?

Bruxism may not seem too bad at first, but over time it can wear down your teeth and expose the dentin layer underneath your tooth enamel. This is a problem because dentin exposure results in sensitive teeth, plus it is more susceptible to staining and cannot be whitened, unlike dental enamel. Also, dentin is more prone to developing tooth decay. Eventually, you could wear your teeth down to tiny numbs, which is not aesthetic, and leads to a collapsed bite that causes jaw pain or TMJ disorder.

It is important for your oral health to prevent damage to your teeth if you suffer from bruxism. A custom-made mouthguard can provide the protection that you need.

The process of making a mouthguard

To begin the process, we make impressions of your mouth, which are sent to our trusted dental lab where your mouth guard is custom-made. You will return for a second visit in which your Raleigh periodontist Dr. Otis Washington, will ensure your mouthguard fits properly, making any necessary adjustments.

Caring for your mouthguard

Your protective appliance will be convenient and easy to wear. You simply wear it at night while you sleep, and remove it in the morning. Before storing your mouthguard, be sure to clean it thoroughly with mild soap and warm water. Avoid using detergents or abrasive cleaning agents as this could scratch or damage the appliance. Ensure your mouthguard is dry before storing in the storage case that we will provide to you.

Be sure to bring your mouthguard with you to your routine dental exams so that Dr. Washington can check to make sure it fits well and is functioning correctly. Eventually, your mouthguard will need to be replaced as it wears down.

If you are already experiencing the effects of bruxism, we offer solutions to repair your smile. Once we have your bruxism under control by protecting your teeth, Dr. Washington can determine a treatment plan to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile again. Protect your teeth now, and save yourself money in the long run!

Take the next step

To learn more about bruxism, its treatment or to schedule your next visit, contact Triangle Periodontics by calling 919-782-9536.

Triangle Periodontics welcomes patients of Apex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina.