At our practice in Castle Rock, CO, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many do this consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent grinding’s negative effects.

Similar to mouth guards worn by athletes during sports, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. If you are a night grinder, we will take an impression of your teeth and have a mouth guard created in our dental lab. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, which can lead to a change in the appearance of their faces. To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call 720-515-1801 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Aaron Goodman. For more information about Prairie Hawk Dental, visit www.prairiehawkdental.com.

Mouth guards

If you play contact sports, mouth guards are a necessary piece of equipment. From football, soccer and basketball to hockey, lacrosse, wrestling and even baseball, if you play a sport where contact is possible, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Here at Prairie Hawk Dental, Dr. Aaron Goodman can provide you with a custom mouth guard to protect your jaw, cheeks, teeth, tongue and lips.

 

Mouth guards are essential for protecting your teeth and jaw against structural damage and your tongue and lips against lacerations. They have also been known to decrease the risk of concussions during sports.

 

While you can buy mouth guards in most sporting goods stores, you should be wary of these. They can be ill-fitting and uncomfortable and unlikely to offer you the best level of protection. If you want to protect your mouth during sports, a custom mouth guard from Dr. Goodman offers the highest level of protection. Created specifically for you the mouth guard is made with a thin plastic that is hardened after being custom fit to your mouth. Its thinness allows you to breathe easier, which is important when playing team sports.

 

To ensure that you perform at your best and are protected on the field, rink or court, schedule an appointment at our office in Castle Rock, CO by calling 720-515-1801. For more information, visit www.PrairieHawkDental.com.