Maybe you've been waking with a tired jaw, or your child's sports season is about to start. Those lead to different conversations at our office. Dr. Maiurano checks your teeth and asks about how you'll use a guard before recommending one.
Teeth grinding and clenching at night
You may not notice that you grind your teeth, particularly while sleeping. Tooth wear, damaged dental work, and sore jaw muscles can be reasons to look more closely. They can have other causes, too, so an examination comes first.
If a nightguard is appropriate, it is made to fit your teeth and bite. The aim is to help protect the teeth from grinding forces. We'll explain how to wear it and what to let us know as you get used to it.
When the problem needs another look
A nightguard doesn't address every cause of jaw pain, tooth wear, or sleep trouble. Tell Dr. Maiurano about those concerns so she can assess whether another evaluation is needed. Protecting the teeth and understanding the cause are both part of helping you.
Athletic mouthguards
For sports and recreational activities, a mouthguard helps cushion impacts to the teeth and soft tissues. Fit matters when someone is trying to breathe, call to a teammate, and keep their attention on the game. A loose guard can be difficult to keep in place.
Tell us which sport you or your child plays, and bring an existing guard if there's a problem with it. We'll check how it fits and discuss whether a custom athletic mouthguard would help.
Bring your guard to checkups
It's easy to leave it at home, so add it to your list for your next checkup. We can look for wear, cracks, buildup, and changes in fit. If it no longer seats properly, don't force it. Let us check it with you.