For many patients, a good night’s sleep begins with a visit to the dentist. If you’ve been struggling with snoring, jaw pain, or teeth grinding, a custom mouth guard could be your simple solution.
At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, we provide professionally fitted mouth guards designed to enhance sleep quality and protect your teeth. Unlike the over-the-counter versions found in pharmacies, our mouth guards are custom-crafted for your bite and specific needs.
What Does a Mouth Guard Do?
A dental mouth guard—also called an oral appliance—has multiple functions depending on its design. It can protect the teeth from grinding, relieve pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and reposition the jaw to improve breathing during sleep.
For patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea or snoring issues, the mouth guard holds the jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open, reducing nighttime disruptions.
Who Benefits from a Custom Mouth Guard?
– Snorers: By improving airflow, oral appliances reduce or eliminate the sound of snoring.
– Bruxism sufferers: A guard prevents wear and tear caused by nighttime teeth grinding.
– Sleep apnea patients: Those with mild to moderate sleep apnea often benefit from mouth guards as an alternative to CPAP.
Custom vs. Store-Bought
Store-bought guards may offer temporary relief, but they’re often bulky, uncomfortable, and less effective. A custom mouth guard from your dentist ensures a precise fit, better compliance, and superior results.
We take impressions of your teeth and jaw, then work with dental labs to design a personalized device that fits your mouth exactly. Adjustments can also be made over time, which isn’t possible with a one-size-fits-all version.
Getting Started
The process begins with a consultation where we examine your oral health, sleep patterns, and jaw alignment. If necessary, we’ll refer you for a sleep apnea test to determine whether you’re a candidate for oral appliance therapy.
At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, our goal is to help you sleep soundly, breathe better, and wake up refreshed. If you’re snoring or waking with jaw pain, let’s talk about whether a custom mouth guard could be right for you.
