10
Sep
Using a mouth guard for sleeping, tooth pain, and grinding teeth
If you experience tooth pain from grinding teeth or participate in high-contact sports, you must talk to your dentist about mouthguards and nightguards. Dr. Karen Ho and her team at Dentistry on Parkdale in Hamilton, Ontario, believe in providing solutions for common dental issues and finding ways to protect the smile from damage whenever possible.
What are the benefits of mouthguards?
There are various reasons why a patient might be advised to use a dental night guard or a mouth guard. They include:
- High-impact and high-contact sports. If you participate in sports such as hockey, lacrosse, or football that involve a lot of physical contact and potential for injury, wearing a mouth guard can protect you from broken teeth and other facial trauma.
- Grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause serious damage to the enamel on your teeth, leading to jaw and tooth pain in the morning. A mouth guard, or night guard, helps prevent damage by creating a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and reducing the severity of grinding.
- Alleviating TMJ symptoms. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull. This joint can become misaligned due to injury, dental misalignment, or bruxism, which can cause pain and discomfort. Wearing a night guard can help to reposition the jaw and reduce the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
- Protecting teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you wear braces, your dentist may recommend using a mouth guard to protect your teeth while playing sports or at night. This will help to prevent injury or damage to the braces and teeth due to grinding or contact with other hard objects.
Do I need a mouthguard or a night guard?
Ultimately, you need to speak openly to Dr. Karen Ho of Dentistry on Parkdale to learn about any potential problems with your oral health and whether a mouthguard could benefit you. She can advise on the most suitable type of dental appliance for your unique needs.
Call 905-547-4940 to request a visit to the office located at 21 Parkdale Avenue South.
Share this Article
Back to Dental Night Guards Page
![Dr. Karen Ho, Dentistry on Parkdale]()
Dr. Karen Ho is a trusted dentist serving patients of all ages in Hamilton, Ontario. Having studied at prestigious institutes such as McMaster University and University of Toronto and trained at Hartford Hospital (General Practice Residency), she opened her private practice in 2003.
Dr. Ho is committed to lifelong learning as she believes that she can serve her community better by constantly updating herself. She is affiliated with many professional organisations like the Academy of General Dentistry, Institute for Clinical Practice of Pediatric Dentistry, The Dawson Academy Study Club, Niagara Peninsula Dental Diagnostic Study Club, Hamilton Chapter of the Seattle Study Club (Founding Member), and Boston and Tufts Universities.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
the Institute for Clinical Practice of Pediatric Dentistry
the Dawson Academy Study Club
Ontario Dental Association
Canadian Dental Association