Custom protection for grinding and clenching, made to fit your bite and shield your enamel.
A night guard is a removable appliance you wear while you sleep. It sits between your upper and lower teeth and acts as a barrier, so grinding wears the guard instead of your enamel.
Teeth grinding, known clinically as bruxism, is more common than most people realize, and it usually happens unconsciously. Many patients have no idea they grind until we spot the wear during an exam. Common signs include jaw pain or tightness in the morning, headaches that start near the temples, teeth that look flattened or chipped, sensitivity that keeps getting worse, and tension through the neck and shoulders.
Left alone, grinding wears down enamel, raises the risk of cracked teeth, shortens the life of existing crowns and fillings, and strains the jaw joints.
Drugstore guards use a boil and bite process that gives a rough approximation of your upper teeth. The fit is close at best, which is why they often feel bulky, shift while you sleep, or end up on the nightstand by morning.
They are also not built to balance your bite. A guard that fits poorly spreads pressure unevenly across your teeth and jaw, which can leave you no better off than before.
A guard we make for you starts from impressions of your own teeth. It fits closely, distributes force evenly, and is built from materials meant to hold up to nightly use. Most patients find they actually keep wearing it, which is what makes the difference.
Most people do not catch it themselves, since it happens while they sleep. The clues usually show up in the morning: a sore or tight jaw, a headache starting near your temples, or teeth that feel more sensitive than they used to. A partner may also mention hearing grinding sounds at night.
We often spot it first. Flattened chewing surfaces, small chips along the edges and worn enamel are all patterns we look for at a routine exam, often before you have noticed anything.
It often does. Night guards are commonly recommended when someone has temporomandibular joint disorder, which affects the muscles and joints connecting the jaw to the skull and can cause jaw pain, clicking or popping, and trouble chewing. Grinding and TMJ disorder frequently go together.
A properly fitted guard lets the jaw muscles relax overnight and keeps stress off the joint, which can ease morning soreness and the headaches that come with clenching. We will assess your bite and tell you whether a guard is likely to help in your case.
We make custom night guards at both of our offices, in Phoenix and in Ahwatukee. The process is straightforward: we examine your teeth for signs of grinding, take impressions of your bite, and fit the finished guard at a follow up visit, adjusting it so it feels comfortable to sleep in.
If you already have crowns, fillings or other dental work, a guard is one of the simplest ways to protect it. Ask us at your next cleaning and we can check for wear while you are in the chair.
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