Getting a good night’s sleep is important for overall health and well-being. However, for many people, issues like teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) can disrupt slumber and cause worn teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. A custom-fitted night guard made by your dentist is an excellent way to protect teeth and joints while snoozing.

What is tooth grinding and why does it occur? Bruxism involves involuntary clenching, grinding, and jaw muscle tension occurring mostly during sleep but sometimes while awake as well. It’s a paramuscular activity that can stem from factors like stress, genetics, or abnormal bite alignment. Over time, excess force from bruxism can lead to worn enamel, cracked or chipped teeth, and painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.

Symptoms of bruxism include wearing down of tooth surfaces, tight or sore jaw muscles upon waking, ringed indentations from tooth grinding on either side of the tongue, and headaches. A dentist can easily diagnose it during exams by noting signs of excessive wear. Nighttime observation or a grinding device test may also be used in some cases.

How can a night guard help? A custom-fitted night guard is a thin, contoured mouthguard made of a durable resin material to fit the teeth like a second set of retainers. Designed based on molds of your teeth, it evenly distributes forces from grinding or clenching across a larger surface area to significantly reduce damage to teeth and jaw joints.

Night guards come in both hard and soft flexibility options. While soft guards are more comfortable and easier to talk in, hard guards offer maximum protection for severe grinding cases. Wearing a guard repositions the jaw in a relaxed posture and prevents teeth from making direct contact during sleep. As a result, risks of fractured, chipped, or cracked teeth are markedly reduced.