Nightguard and Mouthguard
Mouthguards can be worn for several reasons, but one of the most common is protecting the teeth and mouth during sports and other physical activities. Athletes who participate in football, soccer, martial arts, gymnastics, field hockey, boxing, basketball, and other activities where contact or injury may occur can benefit from wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. Oral appliances may also be recommended in certain cases for patients experiencing TMJ-related concerns.
Custom mouthguards are created specifically for the individual patient by a dentist, providing a precise fit designed for comfort, durability, and effective protection.
Nightguards serve a different purpose. These oral appliances are typically worn while sleeping and may be recommended for patients who grind or clench their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. A nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the wear and damage that repeated grinding can cause. Unlike athletic mouthguards, which are designed primarily to protect against sudden impacts, nightguards are designed with nighttime comfort and protection against grinding in mind.
As a Greenville native and fourth-generation dentist, Dr. Preston Hamrick is proud to continue his family’s tradition of serving the community. By developing personal relationships with his patients and taking the time to understand their individual needs and goals, he can recommend solutions tailored to their oral health.
Read on to learn more about nightguards and mouthguards, or call Heritage Dentistry today at 864.292.5125 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
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Alleviating Symptoms of TMJ/TMD and Bruxism
TMJ is characterized by pain emanating from the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. It can be difficult to identify the underlying cause of TMJ, but possible underlying causes of TMJ include arthritis, malocclusion, injury to the joint, or excessive stress placed on the jaw muscles, though in many cases, the exact reason is never definitively determined. Wearing a custom mouthguard can help stabilize and reposition your jaw and relieve pressure, which can correct symptoms of TMJ
Bruxism is another condition whose underlying cause is unknown, which manifests as clenching, gnashing, or grinding of teeth, often unconsciously while sleeping. Although the underlying cause of bruxism may not be known, possible causes include sleep apnea, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, malocclusion, a response to certain medications, stress, or anxiety.
If you have been told to wear a customized mouthguard or nightguard for TMJ/TMD or bruxism, it is important to understand that wearing a guard will not correct these issues; it will simply alleviate many of the symptoms associated with them. Regardless of which type of guard you require, we highly recommend investing in a customized solution made in our labs to ensure that you receive the optimum level of protection and achieve the best results possible. To provide you with a customized guard suited to your unique needs, Dr. Hamrick will take a dental impression that will be used to design a guard that is customized to your unique mouth to look natural and feel comfortable. Once the guard is ready, you will return to our office for one final visit to ensure the fit is correct and the guard feels comfortable.
Nightguard and Mouthguard Maintenance
To preserve the longevity and effectiveness of your nightguard or mouthguard, be sure to follow proper daily maintenance and never smoke or eat foods or drink sugary beverages while wearing your guards. Proper maintenance includes washing and drying your hands before handling the guards and rinsing and brushing the guards with toothpaste using a soft bristle toothbrush when taking them out. Once they have been thoroughly cleaned, allow them to dry on a dry surface, then place them in their case. It is important to find a dry place to store your guards to protect them from warping.
To preserve the integrity of your nightguard and mouthguard and ensure your overall oral health, we encourage our clients to schedule regular dental cleanings at least every six months to ensure the health and sustained brightness of your smile. In addition to giving your teeth a professional cleaning, these visits are also an opportunity for Dr. Preston Hamrick to evaluate your overall oral health, as he looks for any indications of gum disease or any other underlying issue that may require treatment, as well as to examine the condition of your nightguard or mouthguard.
Cost of Nightguard/Mouthguard
The total cost of your nightguard or mouthguard will depend primarily on the type of nightguard or mouthguard you get. Purchasing a stock or boil-and-bite guard from a store will cost significantly less, but will also not provide as significant results and will need to be replaced more frequently. Wearing these types of guards also increases your risk of damaging your teeth and needing additional oral treatment.
For patients with dental insurance, the total cost will depend on whether the procedure is covered under your plan, and if so, how much is covered. Our staff is happy to review your coverage to determine whether your plan does cover nightguards or mouthguards and ensure you maximize your benefits and have minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
If you are a patient at our practice and do not have dental insurance, consider joining our membership club. Because we value your loyalty, we have launched this club to help save you money on treatment and simplify payments for preventative care. We offer three levels of membership: child, adult, and perio membership. Professional dental cleanings, doctor exams, necessary X-rays, and a 5% discount on all other treatment (some exclusions apply) are included in all membership packages.
You can sign up today and start saving money on treatment online or call us at (864) 292-5125.
For your convenience, we accept all forms of credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Fall in Love with Your Smile Again
At Heritage Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are committed to providing exceptional, relationship-based dental care tailored to your individual needs. With a comprehensive range of treatment options, our goal is to help you maintain optimal oral health while giving you a smile you can feel confident about.
To schedule an evaluation for a night guard or mouth guard, or learn more about our dental services, contact our Greenville dental team today at (684) 292-5125.