Why might a dentist suggest mouthguards?
At Highland Dental Clinic, we understand how vital it is to protect the smile to ensure the teeth last a lifetime! This includes patients being proactive about caring for their teeth and gums. Our South Lakeland, Florida, team is pleased to offer solutions such as mouthguards. Dr. Blanca Fernandez provides several different oral appliances for patients to consider when protecting their smiles and improving certain oral health conditions such as TMJ/TMD or bruxism. Below are the various types of mouthguards available:
- Bruxism mouthguard. Patients who have bruxism, which is a condition that causes clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth, may want to ask our team about the benefits of using an oral appliance such as a bruxism mouthguard or “nightguard.” This plastic appliance is worn while a patient sleeps to reduce the risk of damage to the teeth and gums from clenching and grinding. It can eliminate chipped or worn teeth that might otherwise need routine dental attention.
- TMJ/TMD mouthguard. Patients with temporomandibular joint disorder may experience pain and discomfort around their jaw joints. Patients can wear a mouthguard to cushion the teeth and help reposition the jaw to alleviate this.
- Sports mouthguard. If you are participating in high-impact sports such as soccer or hockey, Dr. Fernandez recommends wearing a custom mouthguard during these activities to reduce the risk of chipped or knock-out teeth.
Request time to talk to Dr. Blanca Fernandez about the possibility of having mouthguards created for your smile!
If you are a South Lakeland, FL resident and want to speak to a professional about obtaining a mouthguard, call our office at (863)-647-1954 to request an appointment at the practice located at 5163 US Highway 98. Our office welcomes new and current patients who seek comprehensive care and want to learn how they can protect their smile’s health and appearance with the attention of a skilled and experienced dental team. We are here for you and look forward to assisting you with obtaining high-quality, customized mouthguards for your unique needs!