Your smile is a key asset that you use every day and you know how important it is to keep your teeth healthy. You brush, floss and visit the dentist for regular checkups. Did you know, though, that there may be something vitally important that you’ve been overlooking when it comes to your oral health? Children and adults who participate in sports, for example, frequently put their teeth and gums in harm’s way without even realizing it. Conditions like bruxism and TMJ can wreak havoc on your dentition so gradually that you aren’t aware of the damage until it becomes severe. At the Naperville, IL office of Dr. Paul V. Caputo, Sr., we provide patients just like you with customized mouth guards to protect your teeth and ensure continued oral comfort.
Why Do I Need a Mouth Guard?
Athletic mouth guards protect your teeth and the delicate tissues in your mouth from unexpected injury when you’re in the heat of the game. The American Dental Association strongly recommends the use of mouth guards in the following activities:
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Football
- Martial arts, including boxing
- Wrestling and weight lifting
- Baseball and softball
- Lacrosse
- Skateboarding
These are only a few of the physical activities that warrant the use of mouth guards to protect against potentially serious dental injuries. Ask Dr. Caputo if the recreational activities you enjoy would be made safer with a custom oral appliance.
Other cases in which you may need a mouth guard include conditions like TMJ and bruxism. Both involve the involuntary clenching of the jaw and/or grinding of the teeth. A custom-fit night guard relieves the strain caused by this pressure, thereby saving both your teeth and the intricate muscle structures within the jaw.
If you or your children play sports, suffer from TMJ or are affected by bruxism, contact our office in Naperville, IL today to find out how Dr. Caputo can help you with custom oral appliances. We happily serve families from throughout the surrounding communities of Aurora, Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook and beyond.