Mouthguards and Splints

Mouthguards and Splints Cheltenham

Mouthguards-and-Splints-Dentist-cheltenham Bruxism, also called teeth grinding, means clenching your upper teeth and lower back teeth tightly together, which results in damage to the teeth.

The constant pressure on the tissues, muscles, and other structures of the jaw causes pain, headache and other discomforts.

To help reduce the stress in your jaw, your Cheltenham dentist may recommend the use of mouthguards or splints, which will be used when sleeping to prevent bruxism.

The splint prevents teeth from grinding by keeping your upper teeth and lower teeth from making contact while sleeping.

It prevents the grinding activity and the possible damage it can cause to your teeth.

Recommended Types of Mouthguards and Splints

A custom-fitted mouthguard should always be worn during any contact sport.

While more expensive than an over-the-counter mouthguard, a custom-fitted mouthguard will provide you with the protection you need against knocks or blows that can result in expensive dental treatment in the future.

Benefits of Custom-fitted Mouthguards

They are durably made by a dental professional
They fit perfectly on your teeth and mouth
The accurate fit maximises its functionality
They allow the wearer to talk comfortably

For patients who suffer from bruxism, a mouthguard recommended by your Cheltenham dentist must be worn every time you sleep.

You also need to wear a mouthguard when playing any contact sports to protect your teeth and mouth from accidents.

Mouthguards absorb the shock experienced in a collision during athletic play, which can lead to serious injuries such as jaw or teeth fractures, concussion, and soft tissue lacerations.

An occlusal splint (or a “night guard”) is a removable appliance that is tailor-made to fit your top or bottom teeth.

It is worn while you sleep to protect your teeth from clenching or grinding.

Teeth grinding or clenching can result in wear and tear of your teeth, and in many cases, damaged teeth.

Cracked teeth can often lead to more expensive dental procedures such as root canal treatment and dental crowns or, in severe cases, tooth extraction.

An occlusal splint reduces the amount of pressure placed on your teeth and protects your teeth from long-term damage.

Common symptoms of night grinding or clenching may include:

Waking up with sore teeth
Having trouble chewing your breakfast due to sore muscles on the side of your face
Waking up tired
Waking up with headaches and neck stiffness