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How Dental Nightguards Can Help You
It’s common to see people wearing mouthguards for protection during all kinds of sports, such as football, basketball, and boxing, but did you know that lots of folks wear mouthguards at night for their dental health? People who grind their teeth (bruxism) and people with sleep apnea can get relief from their symptoms simply by wearing a specially-designed mouthguard at night. Portland dentist Dr. David Case has helped many residents improve their quality of life with nightguards.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common condition. Everyone grinds their teeth at some point, but some folks do it so much (especially during the night) that it causes severe damage to their teeth, headaches, jaw aches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) issues and more. The problem is that most bruxism sufferers don’t know that they are actually clenching and grinding their teeth. The best treatment for bruxism is wearing a nightguard to protect your teeth from the most harmful grinding and clenching, which happens during sleep. The bruxism guards we offer at Portland dentist Family Dental Health are custom-fitted to your mouth and extremely effective at protecting your teeth from damage and getting rid of bruxism symptoms.
Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliances are also a great way to get relief from sleep apnea. Portland adults who frequently snore, wake up with a very sore or dry throat, feel fatigued during the day, and have to urinate many times during the night may be suffering from this disorder. Sleep apnea interferes with air flow, causing you to stop breathing as many as 400 times per night, and can have potentially life-threatening side effects.
In addition to CPAP machines, oral appliances are recognized by the FDA as an effective treatment method for sleep apnea. By slightly shifting your bite, sleep apnea appliances allow for increased airflow and normal breathing. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, Portland dentist Dr. Case will fit you with a custom-molded oral appliance to help you get your restful sleep back.
We care about making sure that everyone in Portland enjoys quality sleep and can show it with a beautiful smile. For more information on nightguards or oral appliances, or to schedule a consultation, contact Family Dental Health today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mouth-guards
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20060203/mouth-guard-endorsed-for-sleep-apnea