The importance of Farmington mouthguards

What do sports, snoring and teeth grinding have in common? They can all compromise your health. Dr. Thomas G. Peters of Farmington Valley Dental provides customized mouthguards in Farmington that protect you from a variety of conditions so your oral and overall health thrives.

Sports and your teeth and gums

It’s no surprise that full contact sports such as hockey and football require players to wear mouth guards in Farmington  to protect the soft tissues of the mouth and also bone structure and nerves. Direct blows to the mouth affect thousands of athletes each year. But did you know that intense teeth clenching during a morning run or a vigorous tennis game with a friend can contribute to worn and cracked enamel and over time, tooth loss?

How can you protect your teeth and gums from sudden and gradual injury? A custom-fabricated acrylic mouthguard from Farmington Valley Dental confers the protection your mouth needs no matter what physical activity you engage in. Superior in performance and durability to store-bought, “boil and bite” guards,  your oral appliance from Farmington Valley Dental fits snugly over both top and bottom arches, cushioning teeth and soft tissues.

TMJ and Bruxism

Nighttime teeth grinding, also called bruxism, leads to headaches, ear pain, disturbed sleep and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. Teeth grinding wears, chips and cracks tooth enamel leading to tooth decay, sensitivity and even tooth loss and problems with jaw joint function.

The answer can be a simple mouthguard from Dr. Thomas Peters. He carefully evaluates his general dentistry patients of all ages for signs of teeth grinding and TMJ dysfunction. He often recommends an acrylic mouthguard to keep top and bottom arches separated and cushioned at night. Because these appliances are fabricated according to individual oral impression, fit is exact, comfortable and effective.

Snoring and sleep apnea

Sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous oral and systemic health problem, affects people of all ages, but particularly men over 40. The American Sleep Apnea Association says this sleep disorder occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax and collapse during sleep, resulting in snoring, interrupted sleep and worse, oxygen deprivation.

People with sleep apnea often experience daytime sleepiness, problems with memory and concentration and even serious issues such as hypertension and diabetes. So, when a patient presents with symptoms of sleep apnea, Dr. Peters may prescribe an individualized snore guard. This oral appliance, worn at night, places the lower jaw in a more forward position, keeping the airway open and reducing or eliminating snoring and obstruction.

Contact us

Top Dentist of Hartford County for 3 consecutive years, Dr. Thomas Peters and his staff at Farmington Valley Dental stress the importance of mouthguards and other preventive dental services. To learn more about what this experienced team can do for the dental health of you and yours, contact the office for a convenient appointment time. Ask about Farmington mouthguards.