Night Guard

A night guard may be considered when grinding or clenching is causing tooth damage, jaw-muscle soreness or tiredness, facial pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity. It is also used when the aim is to separate teeth and protect them from grinding damage.

The appliance is worn over the teeth. If it causes pain, it should be stopped and the problem checked rather than continued through discomfort.

A night guard can prevent tooth damage from grinding and may reduce grinding-related muscle activity. It should not be designed to permanently change the bite, and pain while wearing it is a reason to stop using it.

A night guard separates the teeth while it is worn. Ongoing grinding can still leave teeth or restorations damaged, so those changes are checked at dental examinations.

Assessment starts with questions about when grinding or clenching happens, related jaw pain or tiredness, symptoms and stressors. The teeth, jaw and face are then checked for damage, pain or tenderness. A sleep study may use sensors, audio and video to monitor bodily functions and muscle activity during sleep.

Wearing a night guard is ongoing care rather than a recovery period. Stop using it if it causes pain, and watch for jaw soreness, tooth damage, or damage to restorations.

Other approaches include changing the resting mouth and jaw position, increasing awareness of clenching, managing stress, and repairing chipped or worn teeth with dental treatment such as crowns when needed.

Expect questions about day or night grinding, a check for flattened, chipped, cracked or loose teeth, and examination of jaw and facial tenderness. A sleeping partner’s observations may also help identify night-time grinding.

A night guard is an intraoral appliance used to separate teeth and help prevent grinding damage. Its use is linked to bruxism care rather than a cosmetic change to the teeth.