Have you ever woken up with a different smile than you went to bed with? While you are tossing, turning, and dreaming, you might also be grinding teeth or clenching the jaw, which can create a world of problems for a smile. Here are three reasons you should ask a dentist about nighttime mouth guards. 

The Benefits of Mouth Guards

1. Prevent Tooth Damage 

One of the primary reasons dentists create custom mouth guards is to protect against dental damage. Mouth guards are available in a wide range of types and sizes, helping patients to cushion their teeth from an unwanted impact. Mouth guards can help to protect the teeth from chips, fractures, and even avulsions. To create mouth guards, dentists take impressions of your teeth and send those molds to a lab; they will create a custom guard to resolve your symptoms. 

2. Reduce Muscle Tension & Headaches

Nighttime mouth guards also prevent jaw clenching, which alleviates muscle strain and headaches. Over time, mouth guards can also help people to sleep better since they won’t have to worry about radiating neck, jaw, or mouth pain. 

3. Avoid Snoring

Snoring is caused by mild obstructions in the throat, creating friction that causes noise. In addition to making it hard for other people in your household to get the rest they need, snoring can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, dentists can use mouth guards to treat both conditions. Some appliances help to open up the airway while keeping the throat from over-relaxing, which prevents snoring and increases airflow. 

Oral health is important, which is why you should work with the professionals from Premier Dental to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. In addition to creating custom-made mouth guards for their patients that fit great and effectively protect against dental damage, the dentists can also help with cosmetic services, like teeth whitening and dental implants. To learn more about this London, KY, practice, visit them online or call (606) 877-3002.