Dental Nightguards: Protecting Your Teeth From Grinding and Clenching By Dr. Mehryar Ebrahimi, DDS Beverly Wilshire Dental Group | Beverly Hills, CA
Many people grind or clench their teeth without realizing it. It can happen during the day when we are concentrating or under stress, but it is particularly common during sleep. Because you may not be aware that you are doing it, the first signs are often something your dentist notices during a routine examination.
As a dentist, I look for signs such as worn or flattened teeth, small cracks, chipped teeth, increased sensitivity, and tenderness in the jaw muscles. Patients may also notice morning jaw soreness, headaches, or discomfort when chewing. These can all be associated with bruxism, the dental term for grinding or clenching.
For patients who grind or clench, a custom dental night guard can be an important part of protecting the teeth.
What Is a Dental Night Guard?
A dental night guard, sometimes called an occlusal guard or bite splint, is a removable appliance worn over the teeth, usually while sleeping.
The primary purpose is to separate the upper and lower teeth and help protect them from the forces created by grinding and clenching. Night guards can help prevent further tooth wear and protect teeth and dental restorations from damage.
A night guard is not simply a piece of plastic placed over your teeth. When I recommend one, I want it to fit properly and be appropriate for your bite, dental work, and individual needs.
What Are the Benefits of a Dental Night Guard?
1. Protects Teeth From Excessive Wear
Repeated grinding can gradually wear down the enamel. Over time, teeth may become flattened, shorter, chipped, or sensitive.
A properly fitted night guard creates a protective barrier between the teeth and can help reduce the damage caused by grinding.
2. Helps Protect Crowns, Veneers, and Other Dental Work
Patients who have crowns, veneers, implants, bridges, or extensive dental restorations may have an additional reason to protect their teeth from excessive forces.
Grinding can place significant stress on both natural teeth and restorations. A night guard can help protect this investment.
3. May Reduce Jaw Muscle Strain
Clenching and grinding can overwork the muscles responsible for chewing. Some patients wake up with tight or tired jaw muscles or experience headaches related to muscle tension.
A night guard may help reduce the effects of clenching for some patients. However, it is important to understand that a nightguard does not necessarily eliminate the underlying cause of bruxism.
4. Can Help Reduce Tooth Sensitivity Caused by Grinding
When grinding wears down enamel, the underlying layers of the tooth can become more exposed, potentially contributing to sensitivity.
Protecting the teeth from continued wear can help prevent the problem from getting worse.
5. Provides Protection While You Sleep
One of the challenges with nighttime grinding is that you cannot consciously control it while you are asleep.
A night guard provides protection during those hours when you may have no idea that you are clenching or grinding.
Who May Benefit From a Night Guard?
I may recommend a night guard if I see evidence of grinding or clenching, particularly if you have:
Flattened or worn teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Increased tooth sensitivity
Morning jaw soreness
Tight or tired jaw muscles
Headaches associated with jaw tension
Significant tooth wear
Crowns, veneers, or other restorations that need additional protection
A history of nighttime grinding
Sometimes a spouse or family member is the first person to notice grinding because they can hear the sound at night.
Not everyone who occasionally clenches their teeth needs a nightguard. I prefer to evaluate the condition of your teeth, jaw muscles, bite, and restorations before recommending one.
There are many inexpensive mouthguards available over the counter. They may be appropriate for certain situations, but a custom appliance made by a dental professional offers the advantage of being designed specifically for your mouth.
A properly fitted nightguard should be comfortable, stable, and appropriate for your particular bite.
This is especially important if you have crowns, bridges, implants, veneers, orthodontic treatment, missing teeth, or other dental considerations.
Night Guard Myths
Myth #1: "A night guard will stop me from grinding my teeth."
Not necessarily.
The primary purpose of a night guard is to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching. It does not necessarily eliminate bruxism itself.
Bruxism can have multiple contributing factors, including stress, sleep-related conditions, medications, genetics, and other factors.
Myth #2: "If my teeth don't hurt, I don't need a night guard."
Not necessarily.
Bruxism can cause significant tooth wear before you experience pain. Some people are completely unaware that they grind their teeth.
Regular dental examinations allow me to look for early signs of wear, cracks, and other changes.
Myth #3: "Night guards are only for people who grind their teeth at night."
Not always.
Some people clench or grind during the day as well. If daytime clenching is a concern, we may focus on awareness and behavior changes in addition to other treatment options.
Myth #4: "A night guard can cure TMJ problems."
Not necessarily.
Temporomandibular disorders have many possible causes, and there is limited evidence that nightguards improve TMD pain in every patient. An appliance should be selected carefully and should not be intended to permanently change your bite without a specific clinical reason.
Myth #5: "One nightguard works for everyone."
Definitely not.
The right appliance depends on your teeth, bite, grinding pattern, dental restorations, and symptoms. This is one reason I prefer to evaluate patients individually rather than recommending the same appliance to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Nightguards
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
You may notice jaw soreness in the morning, headaches, tooth sensitivity, chipped or worn teeth, or increased tooth wear. Sometimes a partner hears grinding while you sleep. Your dentist can also identify signs of bruxism during an examination.
How long does a dental night guard last?
The lifespan varies considerably. Someone who grinds heavily may wear through an appliance more quickly than someone with occasional clenching. I recommend bringing your night guard to regular dental visits so we can check its condition and fit.
Is it difficult to sleep with a night guard?
There can be a short adjustment period. A properly fitted appliance should be reasonably comfortable and stay securely in place. If your night guard feels painful, causes significant jaw discomfort, or changes your bite, contact your dentist rather than continuing to wear it.
Some patients may use an over-the-counter appliance, but fit and design matter. A custom night guard can be made specifically for your teeth and bite and may provide a more comfortable and predictable fit.
Can children use night guards?
Children can grind their teeth, but the approach is different because their teeth and jaws are developing. I recommend having a child evaluated before deciding whether a night guard is appropriate.
Can a night guard protect my crowns and veneers?
A properly selected night guard can help protect dental restorations from excessive forces caused by grinding. If you have extensive dental work, the appliance should be designed with your specific restorations and bite in mind.
Will a nightguard help my headaches?
If your headaches are related to jaw muscle tension from clenching or grinding, addressing the bruxism may help. However, headaches have many possible causes, so a night guard should not be considered a universal treatment for headaches.
What should I do if my night guard hurts?
Stop using it and contact your dentist if it causes significant pain, persistent jaw discomfort, or other problems. A nightguard should be evaluated and adjusted if necessary rather than simply tolerated.
My Approach to Night Guards
I don't recommend a night guard simply because a patient says they occasionally grind their teeth. I first look for evidence of tooth wear, cracks, sensitivity, muscle tenderness, changes in the bite, and other signs that indicate whether protection would be beneficial.
I also consider the patient's existing dental work and overall oral health.
In many cases, the goal is straightforward: protect the teeth we have and prevent unnecessary damage from getting worse.
If you wake up with jaw soreness, notice worn or chipped teeth, experience unexplained tooth sensitivity, or have been told that you grind your teeth at night, I would be happy to evaluate you.
At Beverly Wilshire Dental Group in Beverly Hills, my goal is to provide preventive, individualized dental care that protects your teeth and helps you maintain your smile for years to come.