Month: December 2021

For every athlete, in every sport, there is always the risk of an injury. Mouth guards are an excellent piece of gear for protecting the mouth, face, and jaw from injury. Our orthodontics team in 60465 can help you find the right mouthguard for you to protect your teeth in the best way possible.

Reasons To Wear a Mouthguard

In most sports, there is always a risk of getting hit in the face, whether it’s with a ball or not. Injuries to the mouth can cause cracked teeth, or even missing teeth.

The soft tissues in your mouth like your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, and lips can also become injured while playing sports – the mouth, teeth, and face are all at risk.

Does Every Athlete Need a Mouthguard?

The sports that pose the greatest risk for mouth and facial injury are the “contact sports” which include hockey, wrestling, football, and boxing. Even in lower impact sports, it does not hurt to be cautious.

In the event of a fall, gymnasts should wear one for protection. Also, those who play baseball and basketball should wear one for protection from the ball hitting their face, collisions with other players, or equipment. No matter what sport you play, a mouth guard is a critical piece of equipment. 

What is The Best Mouthguard For Me?

There are so many different mouth guards to choose from, our team is here to help you choose the best fit for you. You can buy one at your local sporting store, get a custom-fitted one at our office, or our orthodontist in 60465 may recommend a special kind of mouthguard if you are currently receiving orthodontic treatment.

It is important to find a guard that fits your mouth properly and is as comfortable as possible. Contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL today to schedule a consultation and find a mouthguard that works best for you. 

You could be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be damaging for several different reasons.

Are you or your child struggling with teeth grinding? Our orthodontics team in Palos Hills can assist you in addressing the source of the problem and then assess the damage to your teeth.

Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
 

There isn’t just one cause for teeth grinding. There could be several different reasons you are grinding your teeth, including stress, anxiety, an improper bite, or various sleep disorders.

Your teeth can also drag against each other while you bite or chew if they are not aligned properly. You might not even realize you are grinding your teeth because it has become a habit or it happens while you are sleeping. 

The Journal of the American Dental Association notes that smoking and drinking alcohol can cause an increase in teeth grinding. In fact, smokers and alcohol drinkers are twice as likely to grind their teeth.

Effects Grinding Has on Your Teeth

The more you grind your teeth, the more worn down and damaged they will become. Grinding causes increased sensitivity and can even loosen your teeth.

Teeth are comparable to bones, which means they can crack or fracture easily from grinding. When teeth are constantly dragging against one another, they can develop flat spots and become shorter in appearance.

Bruxism can also make you susceptible to other complications in the future, including acute jaw pain and chronic headaches.

How can you tell if you have been grinding your teeth at night? If you wake up with sore muscles and tired muscles in your jaw, you are likely dealing with grinding in your sleep and should schedule a visit with our orthodontist in 60465.

We Can Help You

When you come in, we will assess the damage you already have from grinding first, and then we will work with you to figure out a game plan to keep your teeth from experiencing any more damage.

In many cases we will recommend wearing a mouth guard at night which will act as a barrier between your teeth to prevent them from grinding together. If your grinding is caused by stress and anxiety, the top priority will be for figuring out ways to reduce these feelings. In adults, stress is the most common cause of grinding, and in children improper alignment is the most common cause. 

Please do not wait until your teeth become sensitive and painful to get treatment. Contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL to schedule an evaluation.