Our Office
Visit Us Online
Bruxism — the medical term for grinding and clenching — can occur during the day, but it most commonly happens during sleep when patients have little conscious control over jaw muscles. The habit is often linked to stress and anxiety, but it can also stem from physical factors such as an uneven bite, missing or poorly aligned teeth, or underlying sleep disorders. Left unchecked, repeated grinding creates a cycle of muscle fatigue, joint irritation, and enamel wear that can become progressively worse over time.
Night guards act as a simple, noninvasive barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing direct tooth-on-tooth contact. By redistributing biting forces and stopping destructive grinding motions, these appliances protect tooth enamel, reduce the risk of chipping and cracking, and help preserve dental restorations. Because they alter the mechanics of how your jaw meets, night guards also reduce strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles.
Beyond protecting teeth, a properly fitted night guard can interrupt the damaging patterns that reinforce bruxism. For many patients, wearing a night guard is a practical first-line strategy while other contributing factors — such as sleep apnea or occlusal issues — are evaluated and managed. Used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, a night guard helps both short-term comfort and long-term dental health.
Many people don’t realize they grind their teeth until symptoms begin to appear. Common warning signs include waking with jaw pain or stiffness, recurring headaches that start near the temples, increased tooth sensitivity, and notching or flattening of tooth surfaces. Some patients also report sore or tired facial muscles in the morning or notice that their teeth feel loose or more mobile than usual.
Partners or household members may notice audible grinding noises during sleep — a reliable clue that bruxism is occurring. Dentists can also identify wear patterns and small fractures on teeth during a routine exam that suggest nighttime grinding. Because bruxism may coexist with sleep-related breathing problems, your provider may ask about snoring, daytime sleepiness, or other sleep symptoms to get a fuller picture.
If you experience any of these signs, a dental evaluation is the best next step. During an exam your dentist will assess tooth wear, review your medical and dental history, and examine jaw motion and comfort. Identifying bruxism early gives you the best chance to prevent irreversible damage and to select the most effective protective appliance for your needs.
The process of getting a custom night guard begins with a thorough clinical evaluation. Your dentist will review your symptoms and may take X-rays or use digital imaging to evaluate the alignment of your teeth and the health of the TMJ. This assessment helps determine whether a protective appliance is appropriate and which design will deliver the best outcome.
Impressions or digital scans of your teeth are used to craft an appliance that fits snugly and comfortably. Many practices now use intraoral scanners to capture accurate 3-D models quickly, but traditional molds produce equally reliable results when handled by experienced technicians. The dental lab then fabricates the night guard from durable materials tailored to how you bite and grind.
At the follow-up visit your dentist will check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and review instructions for wear and care. A well-fitting night guard should feel stable without creating sore spots, and it should allow you to breathe and sleep comfortably. Periodic checkups help ensure continued fit and function, especially if your bite or oral health changes over time.
For many patients the initial adjustment period is brief; most adapt within a few nights or weeks. If you experience persistent discomfort or difficulty tolerating the appliance, your dentist can modify the device or explore alternative designs to achieve better comfort and effectiveness.
Night guards are available in several styles, and choosing the right type depends on the severity of grinding, the position of your bite, and your personal preferences. Soft appliances, typically made from a flexible material, may be comfortable for lighter clenching but can wear out more quickly under heavy grinding. Hard or dual-laminate guards provide greater durability and are often recommended for stronger grinders or patients with significant tooth wear.
Full-coverage guards that fit over an entire arch protect all teeth and help reposition the jaw slightly to reduce strain. In some cases a partial-coverage splint or an anterior deprogrammer that changes how the front teeth meet can be used as part of a broader treatment plan. Your dentist will weigh the pros and cons of each option and recommend an appliance that balances protection, comfort, and longevity.
Over-the-counter “boil-and-bite” solutions offer a budget-friendly option, but they rarely match the fit and function of a custom-made device. A laboratory-crafted guard modeled from precise dental impressions reduces the risk of pressure points and provides more predictable protection. When long-term tooth preservation and comfort are priorities, a custom appliance is generally the preferred choice.
In some complex cases, night guards are combined with other therapies — such as dental restorations to correct bite imbalance, orthodontic treatment to align teeth, or referral for sleep medicine evaluation — to address the underlying causes of bruxism. The right solution is often a multi-faceted plan tailored to each patient’s needs.
Proper care extends the life of a night guard and keeps it hygienic. Rinse the appliance after each use and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap; avoid toothpaste that can be abrasive to the material. Store the guard in its ventilated case to allow drying and to protect it from damage. Regular checks for cracks, warping, or excessive wear will let you know when a replacement is needed.
Bringing the night guard to dental visits allows your provider to evaluate fit and performance. If grinding patterns change or restorations are placed, the appliance may need adjustment or refabrication to maintain protection. For many patients, wearing a night guard significantly reduces morning pain and prevents further dental damage — outcomes that can be assessed clinically over successive appointments.
It’s also important to address contributing factors such as stress management, improved sleep habits, and treatment of any associated sleep disorders. A comprehensive approach improves long-term outcomes and may decrease reliance on the appliance over time, depending on individual circumstances. Your dentist will coordinate care with other specialists when necessary to address the root causes of bruxism.
At Towne Dental & Orthodontics we take a careful, individualized approach to treating bruxism and protecting teeth with well-fitted night guards. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, persistent headaches, or signs of tooth wear, contact us to learn more about evaluation and custom appliance options. Our team can help you understand the choices available and recommend the best path forward for lasting comfort and dental health.
Bruxism, the medical term for grinding and clenching, most often occurs during sleep and is commonly linked to stress, an uneven bite, missing or misaligned teeth, and certain sleep disorders. Repeated grinding creates a cycle of muscle fatigue, joint irritation, and progressive enamel wear that can lead to fractures and sensitivity over time. Identifying the underlying triggers is the first step in protecting dental health.
A night guard provides a noninvasive barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent direct tooth-on-tooth contact and to redistribute biting forces. By stopping the abrasive motion of grinding, the appliance helps preserve enamel, reduce the risk of chipping, and protect existing restorations. Because night guards change how the jaw meets, they also reduce strain on the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles.
Common warning signs of nighttime grinding include waking with jaw pain or stiffness, recurring headaches that begin near the temples, and increased tooth sensitivity. You may also notice notching or flattening of tooth surfaces, loose-feeling teeth, or sore facial muscles in the morning. Partners or household members who hear audible grinding during sleep can provide a valuable clue.
A dental evaluation can confirm whether these symptoms are caused by bruxism and assess the extent of tooth wear or small fractures that are not obvious to the patient. Early detection offers the best chance to prevent irreversible damage and to choose an appropriate protective appliance. Your dentist may also screen for sleep-related breathing problems that can coexist with grinding.
The process starts with a thorough clinical evaluation that includes a review of symptoms, an examination of tooth wear, and assessment of jaw motion and comfort. Your dentist may take X-rays or use digital intraoral scans to evaluate alignment and the health of the temporomandibular joint, information that helps determine the most suitable appliance design. Accurate impressions or scans are then used by a dental laboratory to fabricate a guard that fits snugly and evenly.
At the follow-up visit the dentist will check the fit, make necessary adjustments, and provide instructions for wear and care to promote comfort and compliance. Most patients adapt to a well-fitting guard within a few nights to a few weeks, while persistent discomfort can be addressed through further modification. Regular checkups ensure continued fit and function as your bite or oral health changes.
Night guards are commonly available in soft, hard, and dual-laminate designs, with material choice guided by the intensity of grinding and individual comfort. Soft appliances are more comfortable for light clenching but may wear quickly under heavy grinding, while hard or dual-laminate guards offer greater durability for stronger grinders. The thickness, coverage, and occlusal design influence how forces are distributed and how the jaw is positioned.
Full-coverage guards protect an entire arch and can help reposition the jaw slightly to reduce strain, whereas partial-coverage splints or anterior deprogrammers target specific contact patterns. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite options may provide short-term relief but rarely match the fit and long-term protection of a custom, laboratory-crafted device. Your dentist will recommend the design that best balances protection, comfort, and longevity for your situation.
Rinse the appliance after each use and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap to remove saliva and debris; avoid abrasive toothpaste that can damage the material. Allow the guard to dry before returning it to a ventilated case to prevent bacterial growth and to protect it from deformation. Regularly inspect the appliance for cracks, warping, or excessive wear that could compromise protection.
Avoid exposing the guard to hot water, strong chemicals, or prolonged soaking in denture cleansers unless directed by your dentist, as these can degrade the material. Bring the night guard to your dental visits so your provider can assess fit and function and make adjustments if wear patterns change. Proper care prolongs the life of the appliance and helps maintain oral hygiene.
Over-the-counter boil-and-bite options can offer a temporary, budget-friendly solution for mild clenching, but they rarely provide the precise fit of a custom-made appliance. Poorly fitting OTC devices can create pressure points, shift during sleep, and wear out quickly under moderate to severe grinding. For long-term protection and predictable performance, a custom guard modeled from accurate impressions or digital scans is typically more reliable.
Custom guards reduce the risk of new sore spots and can be tailored to protect restorations or accommodate a specific bite relationship. For patients with significant wear, restorations, or heavy grinding patterns, a dentist-designed appliance allows for better force distribution and durability. Discussing symptoms with a dental professional helps determine whether a temporary OTC solution or a custom device is the right choice.
Yes, a properly designed night guard can reduce excessive tooth contact and decrease muscular strain, which often eases jaw discomfort and tension-type headaches. By redistributing forces and limiting the intensity of clenching, the appliance can lessen the load on the temporomandibular joint and associated muscles. Many patients report reduced morning stiffness and fewer tension headaches when the grinding pattern is interrupted.
Outcomes vary between individuals, and a night guard is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive approach that may include stress management, targeted jaw exercises, and sleep evaluation. If TMJ symptoms persist or worsen, your dentist may recommend additional diagnostics or referrals to specialists in orofacial pain or sleep medicine. Coordinated care ensures the appliance complements other treatments aimed at the root causes of pain.
The lifespan of a night guard depends on the material, the severity of grinding, and how well it is cared for; soft guards may need replacement sooner while hard or dual-laminate guards typically last longer. Visible wear, thinning, cracking, or changes in fit are clear signs that the appliance no longer provides adequate protection. Heavy grinders may require more frequent replacement to maintain effective coverage for teeth and restorations.
Bringing the night guard to regular dental visits allows the team to monitor wear patterns and recommend refabrication when necessary. Replacement is especially important after significant dental work or changes in tooth position to avoid uneven forces. Timely renewal prevents ongoing damage to natural teeth and prosthetic restorations.
Children and teenagers can wear night guards in appropriate circumstances, but the decision requires careful evaluation because of growth, mixed dentition, and ongoing orthodontic treatment. A custom appliance can be designed to accommodate erupting teeth or adjusted as the dentition changes, whereas over-the-counter devices may not fit properly during active development. Early assessment helps determine whether an appliance is suitable and what design will be most effective.
For adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment, coordination between the orthodontist and the dentist is important to ensure the guard does not interfere with tooth movement or appliance components. Monitoring and periodic refitting are often necessary until growth stabilizes or orthodontic treatment is complete. Your dentist can recommend timing and design options that protect teeth while respecting developmental needs.
Night guards can protect crowns, implants, and other restorations by absorbing and redistributing forces that would otherwise damage prosthetic work. However, the appliance must be designed to accommodate existing restorations to avoid creating new uneven contacts or excessive loading on a single tooth or implant. A proper design balances protection for natural teeth with gentle, even support for restorative work.
After new restorations or orthodontic adjustments, the night guard should be evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted or refabricated to maintain an appropriate fit. Bringing the guard to post-treatment visits allows the clinician to verify that it continues to protect both natural teeth and dental work. Close coordination with your dental team ensures the appliance enhances long-term oral health and restoration longevity.