Night Guards

Bruxism is the medical term for habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth, most often during sleep. Repeated grinding places concentrated forces on tooth enamel and restorations, which can accelerate wear, produce chips or fractures, and increase tooth sensitivity. Over time, untreated bruxism can change the shape of teeth and contribute to discomfort in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles.

Because many people grind while asleep, symptoms frequently show up as morning jaw pain, headaches, or a feeling that the teeth have shifted or become loose. A dental examination that documents wear patterns, muscle tenderness, and medical or sleep history helps clinicians determine whether an appliance such as a night guard is a logical component of care. Early recognition and intervention can limit progressive dental damage and preserve long-term oral health.

A night guard is a removable oral appliance worn during sleep that creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. By preventing direct tooth-to-tooth contact, the guard disperses abrasive forces and reduces the risk of fractured teeth, worn enamel, and damage to crowns or fillings. The appliance also helps relax jaw muscles by altering contact points, which can lower muscle strain and decrease uncomfortable symptoms.

Night guards do not cure the underlying causes of grinding, but they provide immediate mechanical protection while other treatments are considered. For many patients the appliance also reduces sleep fragmentation tied to grinding, which can improve sleep quality. A carefully fitted guard offers both a preventive and symptomatic benefit as part of a broader treatment plan.

Over-the-counter or "boil-and-bite" guards provide a convenient, lower-cost short-term option and can offer some protection for people with mild clenching. These devices are formed at home and may be bulky or fit imprecisely, which can reduce comfort and long-term durability. For habitual grinders or patients with substantial dental work, a poor fit can allow continued harmful forces or create new pressure spots.

Custom-made night guards are fabricated from accurate impressions or digital scans and are tailored to your bite, offering a more precise fit and predictable protection. Labs can produce guards in materials selected for severity of grinding, such as hard acrylic for heavy grinders or dual-laminate designs for comfort with moderate force. A dentist-directed appliance generally lasts longer and provides superior protection for teeth and restorations when compared with most store-bought alternatives.

The process begins with a comprehensive exam that documents tooth wear, checks the health of the temporomandibular joints and muscles, and reviews your sleep and medical history. Your clinician may take intraoral photographs, radiographs if indicated, and either a traditional impression or a digital scan to capture the exact contours of your bite. This information guides the selection of material, thickness, and overall design of the appliance to match your specific needs.

When the custom night guard returns from the lab you will have a fitting appointment where the dentist checks comfort, occlusion, and jaw position and makes small adjustments as needed. Follow-up visits are common to refine fit and verify symptom improvement, and bringing the appliance to routine dental visits allows the team to monitor wear patterns and underlying dental health. If appropriate, the evaluation may also include recommendations for adjunctive care such as stress management, physical therapy, or referral for sleep evaluation.

Daily care helps preserve the appliance and reduces bacterial buildup. Rinse the guard after each use and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap or a cleaner recommended by your dentist; avoid hot water, which can warp many materials. Do not use toothpaste with abrasive particles on soft guards, and avoid harsh chemicals that may degrade acrylic or laminate layers.

When not in use, store the night guard in a ventilated case to allow airflow and prevent damage; keep the case clean by rinsing and drying it regularly. Inspect the appliance frequently for cracks, thinning, or changes in fit, and bring it to dental visits so the team can evaluate wear. Proper care and timely professional oversight will extend the guard’s lifespan and keep it functioning safely.

Lifespan varies with material choice, grinding intensity, and how well the appliance is cared for, but most night guards show signs of wear after months to a few years of regular use. Softer materials tend to wear faster under heavy forces, while hard acrylic splints are more durable for strong grinders and those with extensive restorations. Regular inspection for cracks, thinning, distortion, or persistent odor helps identify when replacement is needed.

If the guard no longer seats properly, causes discomfort, or develops visible damage, schedule an evaluation promptly so the appliance can be repaired or replaced. Bringing the guard to routine dental appointments allows your clinician to track wear patterns and relate them to any changes in grinding behavior or dental work. Periodic replacement or relining is a normal part of maintaining effective long-term protection.

Many patients who grind report reduced jaw muscle tension and fewer morning headaches after beginning night guard therapy, because the appliance relieves direct tooth contact and can alter jaw positioning to reduce strain. By cushioning the teeth and redistributing occlusal forces, a well-fitted guard often decreases the repetitive motion that aggravates the temporomandibular joint. This mechanical relief can translate into measurable symptom improvement for people whose pain is linked to bruxism.

However, TMJ pain and headaches can have multiple causes, so a night guard is one component in a broader management strategy rather than a guaranteed cure for all jaw or headache disorders. Your dentist may recommend complementary therapies such as targeted exercises, physical therapy, stress reduction techniques, or referral to a specialist if pain persists. Ongoing assessment ensures the chosen approach remains appropriate as symptoms evolve.

Night guards are generally safe, but some patients experience temporary side effects such as increased salivation, mild soreness, or an initial awareness of a foreign object in the mouth. If a guard does not fit properly it can create problematic pressure points or alter tooth contacts, which may increase muscle discomfort or change how your teeth meet. Proper fabrication and timely adjustments reduce the likelihood of these issues.

Rarely, long-term use of an ill-fitting appliance can contribute to bite changes, so regular monitoring by your dental team is important. If you notice new or worsening symptoms after starting a night guard, stop using the device and contact your dentist for assessment. A careful, dentist-supervised approach maximizes benefit while minimizing risk.

A properly designed night guard protects crowns, bridges, and fillings by absorbing and redistributing grinding forces, and in many cases it prolongs the life of restorations. The appliance should be evaluated against your current dental work during the design phase so that it offers consistent protection without creating uneven pressure on sensitive areas. Communication about recent dental treatments helps the clinician select the most appropriate material and coverage.

Although a correctly fitted guard is intended to preserve occlusion, an improperly made or unadjusted appliance could alter contact relationships over time. Follow-up visits after delivery allow adjustments and guard against unintended bite changes. If orthodontic considerations or complex restorative work are present, the dentist will account for those factors to protect both your bite and prior treatment.

At Artistic Family Dental we begin with a thorough clinical assessment that includes documenting wear patterns, evaluating jaw joint and muscle health, and reviewing your sleep and medical history. This evaluation helps identify the severity of grinding, the presence of dental restorations, and any contributing factors such as sleep disorders or medication effects. Based on those findings the team will recommend an appliance style and material that balance protection, comfort, and longevity.

When a custom guard is advised we capture detailed impressions or digital scans to ensure an exact fit and coordinate with a trusted dental lab on material selection and fabrication. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to fine-tune fit and monitor symptom response, and the plan may include adjunctive care like stress management, physical therapy, or referral for sleep evaluation when appropriate. This tailored approach helps each patient achieve the best possible outcome while preserving long-term oral health.