Mouthguard If you suffer from a sleep disorder, you may want to wear a mouthguard at night during your sleep. A mouthguard is a removable covering worn over your teeth. If you suffer from bruxism, you may have a sleep-related movement disorder that causes you to grind and clench your teeth while you sleep. If you have this condition, it can cause you problems such as tooth pain, jaw pain, and sore gums. If you continue to grind your teeth without protection, it will permanently wear down your teeth. If you have a sleep disorder that may cause dental injuries, they may be lessened or prevented by wearing a mouthguard while you sleep. This is a facet of preventative dentistry which will save you from treatment in the future. What Is Sleep Apnea?If you suffer from sleep apnea, you have a sleep disorder that causes you to temporarily stop breathing when you sleep. This disorder is dangerous because it will prevent your brain from receiving enough oxygen while you sleep. If you have sleep apnea you may have an increased risk of developing heart disease or stroke due to the lack of oxygen. If you have sleep apnea you may use a CPAP machine that can help with sleep apnea by keeping your airways open while you sleep. If you did not know, mouthguards can provide a similar effect to the CPAP machine used to treat sleep apnea. If you grind or clench your teeth during your sleep because of bruxism, or with anxiety, or if you have sleep apnea, our dentist will recommend wearing a mouthguard at night. How Can A Mouthguard Help With Sleep Apnea?There are three main types of mouthguards. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are available to purchase in a drugstore. There are also stock mouthguards that can be bought in a store and that come preformed. However, dentists do not recommend using these types of mouthguards. f you are suffering from sleep apnea, these kinds of mouthguards will not help you. If you are suffering from sleep apnea you will need a mouthguard with a strap that goes around your head and chin in order to adjust your jaw. Also, your mouth might need to be adjusted in a way that helps you breathe while sleeping. A mouthguard with a chinstrap will help you by pushing your lower jaw and tongue forward so that your airway can be kept open while you sleep. If our dentists recommend wearing a mouthguard at night to help with your sleep apnea, the best mouthguard for you will be a custom guard, made by our dentists. If your mouthguard is effective, it should be durable, easily cleaned, comfortable, and should not block your breathing or speech. If you receive a mouthguard from our dentists, it will be custom-fitted, and most likely made out of acrylic plastic material. How Do I Take Care Of My Mouthguard?If you use your mouthguard while sleeping, clean it before and after you use it by rinsing your mouthguard thoroughly with cold water and brushing it using a toothbrush and soap. When you are not wearing your mouthguard, you will want to store it in a hard perforated container. This will permit air circulation and will prevent bacteria from growing on your mouthguard. If you use a hard case, it will also prevent your mouthguard from getting crushed and warped. If your mouthguard is acrylic, refresh it by keeping the guard in cold clean water. If your mouthguard is exposed to high temperatures, it may distort the snug fit of your mouthguard so keep it away from direct sunlight, hot water, and hot surfaces. If your mouthguard becomes loose be sure to replace it so that it may continue to work effectively. What Is My Next Step?If you are looking to get a mouthguard to help with your sleep-related disorder, allow our dental professionals at Simonsen Dental to help you with the next step. Our custom-fitted mouthguards are a great option for protecting your teeth from injury. Call us at (503) 213-7004 to schedule an appointment. |
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