Every year, many patients suffer from tooth damage because of an injury or blow to the face. At Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry we recommend that our patients wear a custom mouthguard if they participate in sports or suffer from teeth grinding.
Dr. James Furgurson is an experienced general dentist that offers these mouthguards that are custom made to fit to the exact shape and contour of your teeth. They offer more protection to your teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, lips, and face especially when compared to store bought kind. Dr. Furgurson also offers oral appliances that resemble mouthguards as a treatment for sleep apnea. If you need a mouthguard, please contact our Durham, NC area dentist office to schedule your consultation today.
What Type of Mouthguard Do I Need?
Mouthguards that are custom made from a dentist can be used for many things. Even though many mouthguard look the same, they actually all have different functions. Depending on the type you are having made, they can protect your teeth while participating in any sport, protect your teeth from night time grinding and help keep your air way unobstructed so you can breathe without pause while sleeping.
A mouthguard to protect your teeth while participating in sports…
Some sports (football, basketball and lacrosse) require protection for teeth by making the players wear a mouthguard. Dr. Furgurson strongly recommends using a custom mouthguard for children and adults because they offer better protection for your entire mouth. They drastically reduce your chances of suffering from a dental emergency. A dental emergency can be traumatizing from all the blood, very costly and of course painful. Mouthguards that you can buy from a store do not offer the same level of protection since they are not specifically for your mouth.
A night guard to protect your teeth from grinding while sleeping…
People who suffer from bruxism should wear a night guard. This is a common condition where you grind your teeth while sleeping. This night time grinding can lead to tooth damage that can be costly to repair. Many of our patients who suffer from a TMJ disorder will clench their jaw or grind their teeth and can benefit greatly from wearing one. Using a night guard while sleeping will stabilize your bite and protect your teeth, gums and jaw while you sleep.
An oral appliance that you wear at night to help keep your air way open…
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where you stop breathing for a short amount of time in your sleep. The typical treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This bulky, invasive device is inconvenient for many patients since you have to wear a mask while sleeping and you are hookup up to a machine. An alternative solution is to wear a custom made oral sleep appliance. An oral sleep appliance looks similar to a mouthguard. It works by keeping your airway open to allow for proper airflow and to reposition the tongue and jaw to maintain an open airflow.
We are welcoming patients from Durham and beyond! Call today to schedule your consultation to see if you qualify for a custom made mouthguard. Our Durham, NC area dentist office can be reached at 919.736.6175 or you can schedule an appointment online.