The Importance of Mouth Guards: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Maintaining oral health goes beyond routine dental check-ups and brushing. A significant aspect of oral care often overlooked is the use of mouthguards. Whether you're an athlete, a night grinder, or seeking protection during certain activities, mouthguards play a crucial role in safeguarding your teeth. This article delves into the importance of mouthguards, their types, and the benefits of consulting professionals like Dentist in NW Calgary for optimal oral health.

Understanding Mouth Guards

A mouthguard, also known as a mouth protector, is a flexible device worn over teeth to protect them from potential damage during various activities. It acts as a cushion, distributing and absorbing the impact that might otherwise cause harm to your teeth, gums, and lips.

Types of Mouth Guards

Stock Mouthguards: These are pre-formed, ready-to-wear guards that can be found in most sports stores. They are inexpensive but often uncomfortable and ill-fitting, providing limited protection due to their generic design.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: These mouthguards are made from thermoplastic material that softens when boiled. After boiling, the wearer bites into the softened material, allowing it to conform to the shape of their teeth. While better-fitting than stock mouthguards, they might not provide the best protection and can be less comfortable.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: Custom-fitted mouthguards are the gold standard for protection and comfort. These are designed and created by dental professionals like Dentist in NW Calgary. They involve taking impressions of your teeth and crafting a mouthguard tailored to your specific dental structure. Custom-fitted mouthguards offer superior fit, better protection, and increased comfort during wear.

The Significance of Mouth Guards

Protection During Sports Activities: Athletes participating in contact or high-impact sports are at risk of dental injuries. A properly fitted mouthguard can significantly reduce the chances of broken teeth, jaw fractures, and soft tissue injuries. Dental professionals, such as Dentist near NW Calgary, emphasize the importance of wearing a mouthguard during sports to prevent irreversible damage.

Bruxism and Night Grinding: Bruxism, the habitual grinding of teeth, often occurs during sleep and can lead to tooth wear, fractures, and jaw pain. Night guards, a specific type of mouthguard, act as a protective barrier between teeth, preventing the negative effects of grinding and clenching.

Protection During Physical Activities: Even everyday activities like biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading can pose risks to your dental health. A fall or collision can result in dental injuries that could be avoided by wearing a mouthguard.

Prevention of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Issues: Custom-fitted mouthguards can also help alleviate jaw tension and stress by repositioning the jaw, which can be beneficial for individuals experiencing TMJ disorders.

Consulting Professionals for Optimal Care

Dental professionals, such as Dentist in NW Calgary, are experts in oral health and can provide personalized guidance on mouthguard selection and maintenance. Here's why seeking their expertise is essential:

Customization: Dentist have the knowledge and tools to create custom-fitted mouthguards tailored to your unique dental structure, ensuring a snug fit for maximum protection and comfort.

Professional Advice: Whether you need a mouthguard for sports, bruxism, or other activities, dentist can recommend the most suitable type of mouthguard based on your specific needs.

Proper Maintenance: Dentist provide valuable information on how to care for your mouthguard, ensuring its longevity and effectiveness. This includes proper cleaning techniques and storage recommendations.

Regular Check-ups: Dental professionals can monitor your oral health and the condition of your mouthguard during routine appointments, ensuring that both your teeth and the guard remain in optimal condition.

Conclusion

Mouthguards are more than just protective devices; they are essential tools in maintaining your oral health and preventing irreversible damage. Whether you're an athlete engaged in high-impact sports or an individual dealing with bruxism, the right mouthguard can make a significant difference. It's crucial to consult dental professionals like Dentist in NW Calgary for expert advice, custom-fitted guards, and proper maintenance techniques. By prioritizing the use of mouthguards and seeking professional guidance, you can Contact us & taking proactive steps towards safeguarding your smile and overall oral well-being.

Caring for Your Dentures

Permanent teeth should be permanent with us, hence their name! However, some factors make us lose dental pieces during our lives.

Most Common Causes of Tooth Loss

Among the causes for tooth loss, we can find the following:

1. Poor oral hygiene – It is the most common one. Poor oral care leads to cavities and periodontal disease.
2. Dental trauma – Due to an accident, people can lose a dental piece. If you miss a tooth for a blow or a fall, we suggest you locate it, keep it in water or milk, and visit a dentist near you as soon as possible.
3. Periodontal disease – It is the infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Besides poor oral hygiene, you are at risk of developing it if you suffer from a chronic disease or take certain medications (like mental disorder ones).

If you are edentulous, you can visit our dentist in NW Calgary for replacement options. We offer a wide range of procedures. 

What are Dentures?

Among these, you can benefit from our dentures in NW Calgary. These are rows of fake teeth over an acrylic base, and if you have not lost all of them, you can opt for partial dentures.

The Procedure

If you are looking for dentures near you, here is what to expect:

1. The mold – Your dentist will take a mold of your teeth with putty for the dental technician to create the dentures.
2. Temporary dentures – Depending on the case, they will place temporary ones while the permanent ones are ready.
3. Fitting – In another appointment, they will evaluate the fitting. You will bite down, speak, and see how you feel.

It is a simple procedure and requires two appointments if the patient is fully edentulous. If they still have some damaged teeth, the dentist will extract them, and you will wait between one and two months before taking the mold. 

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures, also called overdentures, are popular because they have better retention.

A dental implant is a small metal post that your dentist places inside your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. It is the only device in dentistry that stops bone loss. 

If you are looking for overdentures, you require multiple appointments. In the first one, your doctor will evaluate your case, take pictures, x-rays, molds of your mouth (or scan it) to plan the treatment. They may prescribe a blood test.

In a second appointment, they will install the implants. With overdentures, they generally place four implants per arcade or six. You must wait for three to six months for osseointegration (when the bone and implant fuse). After this time, your doctor will expose the top of the implants and place a collar for healing. You will wear it for about two weeks.

Finally, they will replace the collar with regular abutments. Over them, your doctor will fix the dentures.

Overdentures are more expensive because you require dental implants, and each of them costs about $1,000. Weigh your wants and needs before deciding on a procedure. A dental professional will advise you on the best options according to your case.

Caring for Your Dentures

1. Brush your dentures – Whether they are removable or not, you must brush them daily. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a mild soap. Toothpaste is too abrasive for them.
2. Soak your dentures – If they are removable, we suggest you soak them in a cleaning solution or water at night. It is advisable because, this way, you also give your mouth a break to prevent irritation.
3. Visit your dentist – In your regular checkups, your doctor will monitor everything is correct and give you tips for oral care.

What Are The Symptoms and Causes of TMJ and TMD Problems?

As many as 30% of Canadians suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorders are puzzling and enigmatic in many ways, including their wide variety of symptoms and apparent causes and risk factors. Even their name can be a challenge. You’ll often see TMJ disorders referred to as TMD disorders. Both of the acronyms TMD and TMJ refer to the same thing; they’re just different acronyms for the same word temporomandibular joint.

Understanding TMJ and TMD treatment in NW Calgary and how the disorders affect people may be easier with a brief anatomy lesson. The TMJ joint is actually two joints that attach your lower jaw (referred to as your mandible) to your skull (the temporal bone at the side and base of your skull). You can feel those joints at work if you place your fingertips part way between your ear and cheek on either side while opening and closing your jaw.

What are the symptoms of TMJ problems?

When the alignment of your TMJ is out of whack, other muscles in your face, head, neck and beyond have to work differently and sometimes harder to adjust. Those changes have a cascade of effects that can include pinched nerves that can produce back pain, problems maintaining balance and even tingling sensations in your arms, fingers, legs and toes.

The proximity of your TMJ or TMD joint to your ears can affect those ears, too. Stress, distortion or damage to your TMJ or TMD joint can produce symptoms such as ear pain, ringing in your ears (referred to as tinnitus), the sensation of clogged ears and even hearing loss.

We mentioned balance issues already, but TMJ and TMD joint disorders can also produce vertigo symptoms because they interfere with your body’s vestibular system that relies on a body part called the labyrinth in your inner ear quite close to the temporal bone. 

In much the same way that TMJ and TMD joint problems can affect your ears by mere physical proximity, they can also affect your tongue. Your tongue is attached to your lower jaw and any misalignment of your jaw joints can affect the position of your tongue in your mouth, throat and airways. TMJ or TMD issues can cause abnormal breathing, particularly while you sleep. 

One of the most commonly reported symptoms of TMJ and TMD disorders is pain in your neck, shoulders and back. All of those muscles work hard to keep your spine in the proper position and any distortion or overwork of those muscle systems can cause pain that will radiate throughout your torso and into your head. 

What causes TMJ disorders and symptoms?

There are a wide variety of known causes of TMJ pain and others that continue to be investigated. In addition to those known causes, there are other known risk factors for increasing your risk of experiencing TMJ-related pain. Causes of pain affecting your TMJ include: trauma or dysfunction affecting the muscles that control your jaw and that connect your neck and shoulder muscles to your face and jaw muscles; damage in the internal portions of the TMJ joint itself, such as a dislocated or displaced disc; and degenerative conditions affecting the joint, such as arthritis. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms of TMJ or TMD disorders, or any other unexplained symptoms, mention them to a dentist near you right away. Your dentist in NW Calgary can help to diagnose the disorders and address the symptoms by such simple interventions as mouth guards and adjusting the way your upper and lower teeth meet. Your dentist and their staff will also offer advice about home remedies and DIY therapies, while supporting you in obtaining further TMJ and TMD treatment near you if necessary.

Which Type of Sedation Dentistry is Right For Me?

Some of us get anxious at the mere sight of drugs, for some it is blood, and for some even the slightest representation of anything medical triggers apprehension.

For you, it could be a visit to the dentist near you. The treatment itself is already unpleasant, the addition of anxiety just makes everything dreadful altogether. However, your next visit to the dentist doesn't have to be a foretaste of hell, it could be very pleasant.

With sedation dentistry, you can now ease your anxiety and relax during any type of dental procedure, from basic dental cleanings to invasive procedures.

Furthermore, your dentist in NW Calgary doesn't have to spend the long hours it requires due to your reactions to the treatment. A calm patient allows a smoother and faster treatment and also, consequently reduces your fee if payment is by the hour.

Here is what you should know about the different procedures for sedation dentistry near you:

1. Minimal Sedation

Also known as inhalation sedation, this procedure involves you inhaling nitrous oxide or laughing gas, which is combined with oxygen through a mask. It calms you during the whole process while keeping you awake. It is the most common because it wears off quickly and thus allows you to make it back home yourself with your full senses.

2. Intravenous Sedatives

Also known as IV sedation, this procedure involves you being injected by the sedative. Since it is injected directly into the vein, this method relaxes you faster and can be adjusted to induce different degrees of consciousness which may result in the patient becoming less aware of what’s happening and most likely recollect little about the procedure afterward. However, this sedation procedure is mostly reserved for high symptoms of anxiety because it requires vast training in the administration of anesthesia.

3. Oral Sedation

This procedure solves the problem of the possibility of a phobia for needles (belonephobia). Minimal sedation status is achieved by simply taking a pill; typically Halcion (triazolam) or Valium (diazepam). It mostly takes about an hour for sedation to kick in and the patient remains awake, although some people have been reported to fall asleep in the process. It is cheaper than intravenous sedation and is known to have fewer side effects.

4. Deep Sedation

Also known as general anesthesia, this procedure renders you nearly or unconscious and is known to potentially cause complications. It is employed only in cases of substantial dentistry tasks and/or severe anxiety cases. Its effect induces unconsciousness that remains until it wears off or is reversed with medication.

Sedation dentistry in NW Calgary remains a brilliant choice, however, it is possible that anxiety could have escalated into a severe phobia and in this case, seeing a mental health expert is a wise choice. There is a thin line between anxiety, which is subtle apprehension, and phobia, which is a feeling of dread.

The fear of pain, feelings of control loss, and possible embarrassment that accompanies a dental visit may have escalated into something that if not taken care of, might become a traumatic experience.

If what you feel is still subtle anxiety, then you might want to choose a form of sedation dentistry that leaves you awake but takes away the pain, so you can at least "face your fears." When you visit Royal Vista Dental, our team will work with you to find the best form of sedation dentistry for your needs. 

The Steps of a Root Canal and How to Speed the Recovery

People have the misconception that root canal therapy is dreadful. It is true that decades ago, it was uncomfortable, took multiple appointments, and the instruments were not so modern. However, thanks to all the advances in dentistry, our patients state that now it is like a filling.

Our endodontics dentist in NW Calgary will tell us everything there is to know about modern root canal treatment.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that extends the life of a damaged tooth. We remove the nerve, which has been infected and replace it with a biocompatible material.

We can divide the procedure into the following steps:

1. Diagnostic – First, our dental professional will perform some tests on the tooth to determine its vitality and choose the correct procedure. They will take a set of x-rays as well.
2. Eliminating the infection – Your dental professional will drill a hole in your tooth to access the cameral pulp. They will remove it along with any necrotic tissues and bacteria. Then, they will eliminate the infected tissue from the root canals (radicular pulp).
3. Irrigation – Studies describe this part as the most important one. Choosing the right irrigating agent and clean the area for several minutes is essential. Our endodontic dentist near you uses 5,25% Sodium Hypochlorite.
4. Drying the canals – They must be completely dried before placing the biocompatible material. We use paper cones for it.
5. Sealing – Our endodontist will use Gutta-percha and cement to fill the root canal system. They will place temporary cement on top, and you will need an appointment with a prosthodontist that restores the tooth with a permanent dental crown.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

Afterward, you may experience discomfort, swelling, and sensitivity for a few days. You may follow these instructions for better recovery:

- Take painkillers – You do not need to tolerate the pain. Taking any over-the-counter medications will help you feel relief.

- Apply ice packs – For ten minutes on/off several times a day for the swelling.

- Chew with the opposite side – Until the permanent restoration is in place. After the root canal, the tooth has little remaining dental structure, and it is brittle. Avoid chewing with the treated side not to fracture the dental piece.

- Sleep with your head elevated – Used elevated pillows to reduce irritation.

- Take it easy – You may resume your activities right away; however, avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours if you are in pain.

What Happens if You Don’t Treat the Infection?

If you don’t undergo root canal therapy near you when needed, the infection will keep spreading, reach the periodontal tissues, and you will develop an abscess. This situation is painful, and if you postpone treatment, bacteria may enter your bloodstream.

Another thing that can happen is losing the tooth because it becomes irreparable. When you miss a dental piece, the neighboring teeth shift towards the gap, you are more prone to develop cavities and gum disease, and your teeth will misalign.

The treatment after a tooth extraction is more expensive. You may need dental implants, one of the priciest devices in dentistry, and the dental crown that goes on top. Insurance companies usually don’t offer coverage for dental implants surgery.

Contact Us Today

If you have any questions regarding our root canal therapy in NW Calgary, you may contact our dental offices today or whenever works for you. We have a team of experts who will help you improve your smile and oral health.

Tips for Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Extracting teeth is usually a last resort for dentists in NW Calgary, but wisdom teeth often present the exception to that general rule. Many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth — molars that emerge in your late teens and early twenties but that you really don’t need — be removed before they interfere with your existing teeth. If they have arrived and are presenting problems, extractions may be necessary to avoid serious complications. Wisdom tooth removal in NW Calgary is a routine procedure for dentists, but understandably stressful for patients. The development of complications following a wisdom tooth extraction is rare, but possible. Here are five guidelines to follow to ensure that you recover from surgery quickly and completely without any complications.

Rest as much as possible

For 48 hours after your surgery, avoid any strenuous exercise that will increase your heart rate. Exercising too strenuously during the early stages of your recovery will increase the risk of swelling, excessive bleeding and pain. As you are resting, keep your head elevated with an extra pillow. 

Sedentary activity will be safe immediately after surgery, but you may experience soreness and pain in your jaw in the earliest stages of recovery. For that reason, our best advice is to take a couple of days off work after a wisdom tooth extraction. If you work in an entirely sedentary position, though, your time off need only be minimal. 

Take medications as directed

Your dentist in NW Calgary may prescribe one or two types of medications: pain medication and antibiotics. Be sure to take those medications precisely as directed. On this topic, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist if you have had any negative experiences with pain medication in the past or are concerned about taking any medication. It’s also essential that you tell your dentist about any allergies you have to medication. 

Eat just soft foods for a while

Until your dentist tells you that you can start eating hard food, eat just soft foods that you don’t need to chew. Good options for eating until you’re ready to eat chewy, hard or crunchy things are foods and drinks such as ice cream, milkshakes, pudding, smoothies, meal replacement shakes, soup, applesauce and canned fruit, mashed potatoes and fish. 

Protect your clot

Before you leave the office of your dentist in NW Calgary, your dentist’s staff will ensure that a blood clot has formed in each extraction site. It is essential to avoid disturbing or dislodging that clot during your recovery period. That clot protects the nerves and tissue inside your jaw from exposure and from infection. If the clot is dislodged from any extraction site, you may experience a painful condition called dry socket. 

To avoid disturbing the blood clot and suffering from dry socket, avoid any activity that will create any suction in your mouth. Dangerous habits to be avoided include things like: spitting, drinking from a straw, smoking and rinsing your mouth too vigorously after brushing your teeth. Another important reason to avoid smoking during the recovery period is because smoking slows your body’s ability to heal. 

Rinse with salted water

Although you should avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously in order to avoid disturbing your clots, rinsing your mouth during the week after undergoing wisdom tooth removal near you is a good idea. To ease any discomfort experienced by the soft tissues in your mouth, to remove bacteria and food particles and to help reduce the risk of infection, rinse your mouth with warm salted water. Simply dissolve one-half of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then swish the water gently in your mouth for 10 seconds before letting the water fall from your mouth — Let it fall. Don’t spit. 

By following these guidelines and the post-operative recovery instructions that your dentist’s staff will give you, you will recover fully from your procedure as quickly as possible. If at any time during your recovery period you experience any unexpected or worsening symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist near you. Unusual symptoms could indicate unexpected concerns that need a timely response from your dentist. 

How To Choose the Right Mouth Guard

When equipping yourself or your child for the risks inherent to playing sports, think beyond the most obvious high contact sports and the body’s largest bones. Don’t forget about teeth. 

Millions of teeth are knocked out of millions of Albertan athletes’ mouths annually. Whether or not your sports league makes it mandatory, dentists in NW Calgary strongly recommend that everyone who participates in contact sports wear an appropriate mouthguard.

What options are there for mouth guards?

There are three primary types of mouth guards near you: stock, “boil-and-bite,” and custom. They all have different values, virtues and disadvantages. 

Stock 

Stock mouth guards are one size fits all — albeit in different sizes — units that you purchase off the shelf. They are not custom fit to any athlete’s mouth. Because a L stock mouthguard is designed to fit everyone with a L mouth, they end up fitting everyone with a L mouth pretty well, but usually no one with a L mouth perfectly well.

Every person’s mouth and the location of their teeth in their jaws is different. Stock mouth guards designed to fit the common denominator within a size range provide minimal protection for the simple reason that they won’t fit properly. People wearing an ill-fitting mouth guard tend to compensate for that poor fit by biting firmly down onto it. That might help the mouth guard stay in place, but compromises other important things. Doing so compromises your ability to speak and breathe, and forces your jaw and teeth into an unnatural and stressful position for prolonged periods and potentially even at moments of impact. Your risk of injury may actually increase. 

“Boil-and-bite” 

Boil-and-bite mouth guards can be purchased at sporting goods stores, and are typically made of inexpensive rubber that softens when heated. To make a boil-and-bite mouth guard fit you, you boil it in water, then bite down into the softened material. In principle, it’s similar to making a mold in the dentist’s office — though that’s not at all how dentists make molds in their offices. As the rubber cools, the impression you make in the mouthguard will be maintained. 

Boil-and-bite mouth guards offer more protection than a stock mouthguard because they’re at least customized to the athlete’s mouth, but that’s not actually saying much. Boiled mouth guards are simultaneously uncomfortable and easily torn — two unfortunate characteristics, to be sure. Whether you’re an athlete yourself or the parent of an athlete, don’t rely on an uncomfortable mouthguard that your child probably won’t wear consistently. 

Customized 

Your dentist in NW Calgary can create a custom mouth guard that will be comfortable and provide all the protection you and your child need while ensuring the ability to breathe naturally and speak clearly — even if you or your child wears braces. 

Dentists make modern customized pressure laminated from a thermoplastic material wrapped around a dental moulding, which is then polished and tailored to fit perfectly. Customized mouth guards from a dentist in NW Calgary offer essential protection for your child’s mouth in a format customized precisely for your child. After all, your child didn’t come off the shelf. Why should their essential protective equipment? 

If your child is participating in contact sports without protection, or vulnerable to injury while using a stock or boil-and-bite mouthguard, contact a dentist near you to ask to upgrade their equipment. Even the non-athletes in your family may benefit from a custom mouth guard provided by a dentist near you. Ask your dentist to screen you for any symptoms of sleep bruxism and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A properly fitted mouth guard can protect you from the symptoms of both conditions.