Enhance Your Sleep Quality
A good night’s sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being—and that includes the sleep quality of your loved ones. At Creekside Dental in Langley, BC, we offer custom-made mouthguards designed to help those suffering from sleep apnea, chronic snoring, or teeth grinding. By repositioning the jaw and maintaining an open airway, these devices often serve as an effective alternative or supplement to other treatments like CPAP machines. If you’re looking for a comfortable, convenient way to improve your sleep quality, our team is here to help.
What is a Mouth Guard?
A mouth guard is a dental device designed to be worn over the teeth during sleep. It helps to keep the airway open by repositioning the jaw, which can prevent the airway from collapsing. This is particularly beneficial for those experiencing sleep apnea, a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often due to the collapse of soft tissue at the back of the throat. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a minute or more, disrupting the normal sleep cycle and leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and a higher risk of health complications like heart disease and high blood pressure. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has the condition. A proper diagnosis—often involving a sleep study—is crucial in identifying whether your snoring is tied to sleep apnea or another issue.
How Mouth Guards Help With Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Mouthguards for sleep apnea, sometimes called oral appliances, work by gently repositioning the lower jaw to keep the airway open. By preventing the soft tissues in the throat from collapsing, they can significantly reduce the frequency of apneas (paused breathing episodes). Many people find these appliances more comfortable and user-friendly than a traditional CPAP machine, which requires a mask and continuous air pressure to keep the airway open. If CPAP therapy feels cumbersome or you’re simply looking for an alternative, a custom-fitted mouthguard may be a better fit for your lifestyle.
Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding
In addition to addressing sleep apnea and snoring, mouthguards can also help those who grind their teeth at night—a condition known as bruxism. Constant grinding can lead to worn tooth enamel, increased sensitivity, and jaw pain. By creating a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, a mouthguard helps reduce these harmful effects, protecting both your smile and your comfort.
Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards
While over-the-counter mouth guards are available, getting a custom mouth guard from a mouth guard dentist ensures a proper fit and optimal effectiveness. Here are some benefits of custom mouth guards:
- Comfort: Custom-fit mouthguards are designed to match the unique contours of your mouth, making them more comfortable to wear throughout the night.
- Durability: Mouthguards are made from high-quality materials, ensuring they last longer than store-bought alternatives.
- Effectiveness: A properly fitted mouthguard will effectively keep the airway open and protect against teeth grinding, leading to better sleep quality.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
If you think a mouthguard might be right for you, scheduling a consultation is the first step. During your visit, our team will review your medical history, sleep study results (if available), and any symptoms you’ve noticed—like excessive snoring, frequent awakenings, or daytime fatigue. We’ll then take impressions or digital scans of your teeth, which we’ll use to craft a mouthguard precisely tailored to your mouth. Once your custom device is ready, we’ll fine-tune the fit and offer guidance on how to clean and store it to ensure its longevity.
Why Choose Creekside Dental for Your Mouthguard?
At Creekside Dental, we take pride in offering individualized solutions for better sleep. Our experienced team begins with a thorough consultation and oral examination to determine which type of mouthguard best suits your needs. We’ll then take impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fit device. This personalized approach helps ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness, whether you’re dealing with snoring, sleep apnea, or teeth grinding.
We also believe in transparent communication throughout the entire process. From discussing the benefits of different treatment options to teaching you how to care for your new mouthguard, our goal is to keep you well-informed every step of the way. Plus, as a modern clinic led by Dr. Brian Hu, we’re committed to using up-to-date techniques and high-quality materials so you can feel confident in your choice.
