Dr. Jim Const may recommend a mouth guard to help protect your teeth and improve your quality of life. These oral appliances are highly versatile, and may be recommended to treat a wide range of conditions as well as help prevent problems from occurring. Our dentist will discuss the types of mouth guards and your oral health with you to determine if this type of treatment would be beneficial for you.
Night Guards
If you grind and clench your teeth at night, a condition known as bruxism, our dentist may recommend an oral appliance known as a night guard. Night guards work to prevent tooth damage caused by grinding while you sleep. They work by preventing the upper and lower teeth from touching, distributing the biting forces to help you avoid tooth damage and maintain better oral health.
Common signs of bruxism include:
- Pain in the jaw, face and ear
- A tired or tight feeling in the jaw when waking
- Frequent tension headaches and migraines
- Excessive tooth damage, including chipped, flattened, cracked or very worn tooth
- Worn tooth enamel which exposes the inner layers of the tooth
- Indentations on the side of the tongue
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Your night guard will be custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly, ensuring that you rest comfortably while protecting your teeth.
Sports Mouth Guards
Sports mouth guards, also known as athletic guards, are a type of mouth guard designed to protect your teeth during athletic activities. This oral appliance is usually a required piece of equipment for individuals participating in high-contact sports, such as wrestling, football, hockey and rugby, but is beneficial to anyone who plays sports or engages in recreational athletic activities whether individually or as part of a team.
While you can purchase more generic guards at most sporting goods stores, a custom mouth guard will provide you with the best protection for your mouth and smile. These guards are designed to fit comfortably over your teeth, preventing injuries like knocked-out and chipped teeth as well as injury to the soft oral tissues, including the tongue, lips, cheeks and gums.
Sleep Apnea Treatment (Oral Appliance Therapy)
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep breathing disorder characterized by interruptions and pauses during sleep. These pauses occur when the airways are blocked, often by collapsed soft tissues or by the tongue rolling back in the throat. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition, and may contribute to a number of other health concerns, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and liver problems, among others.
Common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Extreme daytime drowsiness
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Snoring
- Irritability, mood changes, behavioral issues and personality changes
- Waking with a dry or sore throat
- Frequent morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating and memory impairment
One of the most effective treatments for mild to moderate sleep apnea is oral appliance therapy. Your oral appliance is designed to fit comfortably over your teeth, and works to keep your airways open by advancing the lower jaw slightly forward. This forward movement prevents the soft tissues and muscles of your upper airway from collapsing and becoming an obstruction to your breathing, allowing you to enjoy a safe and soundless sleep. With oral appliance therapy, you can get the rest you need to enjoy better health.
Schedule Your Appointment
We invite you to call us today at 415-391-2559 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Const and learn more about the benefits of mouth guards in San Francisco, California.