Do You Need a Night Guard? Protect Your Smile While You Sleep

Do you often wake up in the morning with a sore or painful jaw? Do you hear a popping sound when you open and close your mouth? Does your tongue have small indentations? If the answer is yes to any or all of these questions, then you may be suffering from teeth grinding, also called bruxism.

Night guards, also known as mouth guards, offer a practical solution to protect your teeth and relieve painful symptoms. Let's look at the signs of bruxism, why it occurs, and how a night guard can make a difference.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Bruxism

Bruxism often goes unnoticed since it happens while you sleep, but it leaves some noticeable signs:

• Morning jaw pain or soreness
• Popping sounds when opening and closing your mouth
• Indentations on your tongue
• Frequent headaches, particularly in the morning
• Tooth sensitivity or worn-down teeth

If you experience any of these symptoms, you might be grinding or clenching your teeth at night.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

In the United States alone, over 30 million people—both children and adults—grind their teeth. Some common triggers include:

• Stress and anxiety
• Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea
• An abnormal bite or missing teeth
• Lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol

While occasional teeth grinding may not cause significant harm, frequent grinding can lead to serious oral health issues over time.

The Risks of Untreated Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, especially at night, places extreme pressure on your teeth and jaw. Here are some of the issues it can cause:

• Tooth enamel erosion, leading to sensitivity and pain
• Accelerated wear on your teeth, causing them to appear older
• Jaw pain and discomfort, which can evolve into temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Increased risk of tooth fractures or loosened teeth
• Dental fillings and other restorations becoming dislodged

Choosing the Right Night Guard: Your Options Explained

A night guard acts as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the grinding force and preventing further wear. Here are the main types of night guards available:

1. Stock Mouth Guards

Pros: Affordable, easily found in stores.
Cons: One-size-fits-all, bulky, minimal protection.

Stock mouth guards are pre-molded, ready to wear, and generally the least comfortable and effective option. They offer minimal protection due to their poor fit and are not recommended by most dentists.

2. Boil-and-Bite Guards

Pros: Somewhat customizable, affordable.
Cons: Limited durability and fit.

Made from thermoplastic, these guards are softened in hot water and then molded around your teeth. While they offer a better fit than stock guards, they don’t provide the comfort or protection of custom options.

3. Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards

Pros: Precision fit, maximum protection, and comfort.
Cons: Higher cost, requires a dentist visit.

Custom guards are made specifically for your mouth, offering the best fit and protection. A dentist creates a mold of your teeth, from which a unique guard is fabricated, ensuring the best possible comfort and durability. This is the gold standard in night guards for bruxism sufferers.

Why a Custom-Fit Mouth Guard is Worth the Investment

While it might be tempting to grab a cheaper option from the store, investing in a custom-fit night guard offers the highest level of protection and comfort. Custom guards are designed to fit your unique bite, ensuring that they stay in place comfortably while you sleep and provide maximum defense against grinding. Your dentist can help you decide which guard best suits your needs.

How a Night Guard Protects Your Teeth

Wearing a night guard every night creates a cushioning layer that absorbs and redistributes the force of clenching and grinding, preventing damage to your teeth and relieving jaw discomfort. Here’s what it can do:

• Preserve tooth enamel and prevent premature aging of your teeth
• Reduce jaw pain and pressure on the TMJ
• Protect dental restorations like fillings and crowns

While bruxism can feel manageable at first, untreated grinding can worsen over time, leading to significant dental complications. A night guard prevents further damage and relieves pain and discomfort, making it an essential part of managing bruxism.

Talk to Your Dentist About Your Best Option

If you’re experiencing symptoms of bruxism, we can help you find the right night guard.

Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today, and let us help you end the pain and discomfort associated with bruxism.