Our Mouthguards in Fort Smith Help Preserve Smiles
While brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings prevent many kinds of dental damage, they can’t solve every problem. Mouthguards in Fort Smith improve your oral health by:
Doctor Bill Ligon on mouthguards
Read Transcript
Doctor Bill Ligon on mouthguards
As far as mouthguards go, we fabricate different levels of protection on mouthguards depending on the type of sport that an individual is involved in. They can be made with hard layers, with soft layers, any combination of that. Kids of all ages these days are in athletics, and tooth loss is a big deal. I know a lot of younger kids don't even bother with wearing mouthguards, or they get the boil-and-bite type that don't really fit their dentation the way it should be. But mouthguards are very important in trying to protect what teeth you have there.
We also make mouthguards for people with TMJ disorder, bruxism – that's grinding and clenching your teeth. You can do a lot of damage. Your jaw muscle's pretty strong, so you can actually crack teeth, definitely get a lot of occlusal wear on teeth. We make a variety of appliances to treat that. It alleviates pain in the jaw. It keeps you from being able to clench. A lot of people have migraine headache; we can treat stuff with what's called NTI appliance, for example. It just goes on your anterior teeth, but that's something that kind of deprograms the musculature and keeps you from being able to clench down, which obviously is going to relieve a lot of stress on your joint as well as being able to keep you from grinding and cracking any of your teeth. So it's a very wide variety of products to treat that
- Protecting your teeth from injury during athletic activities
- Stopping you from grinding your teeth, a habit that can badly damage tooth enamel
- Relieving tension on your jaw that can cause TMJ pain
- Making it easier for you to get a good night’s rest by keeping you from snoring
All of our custom mouthguards are made using impressions of your teeth and other measurements. This makes them more comfortable than store-bought mouthguards, so you won’t mind wearing them. No mouthguard can prevent a problem if it isn’t used consistently.
If you think you or a family member would benefit from a custom mouthguard, call 479-668-3109.
Custom Mouthguards Offer Many Kinds of Protection
You can wear a custom-made mouthguard for:
- Snoring – Wearing a custom mouthguard while sleeping enables you to breathe more easily by gently moving your jaw into a position that keeps your airway clear. This keeps you from snoring so you and other members of your household can sleep.
- TMJ Pain Relief – A custom mouthguard can relieve pressure on your jaw that often results in TMJ pain. It also prevents you from grinding your teeth, a behavior that can lead to chipped, cracked, or even broken teeth.
- Protection During Sports – An athletic mouthguard covers and cushions teeth so they are less prone to injury from balls or physical contact. A sports mouthguard is especially important for those who wear braces or other orthodontia.
Take Good Care of Your Mouthguard
Your mouthguard will last longer if you follow our guidelines for:
- Cleaning – It’s best to clean a mouthguard with non-abrasive toothpaste or mild antibacterial soap. Avoid using alcohol-based cleaners, including hand sanitizer.
- Storage – Keep your mouthguard as dry as possible by storing it in a ventilated case. Keeping a mouthguard dry will discourage bacteria growth.
For mouthguards in Fort Smith, call Dallas Street Dental at 479-668-3109.
