You likely need a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep and it is causing jaw soreness, morning headaches or worn, chipped teeth. A custom guard cushions the teeth and keeps them from grinding together overnight.
Many people find out they grind only when a partner hears it or a dentist points out the wear. At Cochituate Smile Center in Framingham, MA, we make custom nightguards for patients who grind or clench. Below we cover the signs to watch for, what grinding does over time, how a custom guard compares with a store-bought one and what getting one involves.
What Is Teeth Grinding, or Bruxism?
Bruxism is the habit of grinding the teeth side to side or clenching them together hard, usually without realizing it. It can happen during the day, often while concentrating, driving or feeling tense, but the nighttime version is the one most people never notice. Because it happens during sleep, there is no chance to stop yourself.
The forces involved are much stronger than ordinary chewing. When you eat, food sits between the teeth and the contact is brief. During grinding, enamel rubs directly on enamel, sometimes for long stretches of the night. That steady friction and pressure is what slowly flattens edges, loosens fillings and tires out the jaw muscles.
How Can You Tell If You Grind Your Teeth at Night?
The most common clues show up in the morning. You may wake with a sore or stiff jaw, a dull headache around the temples, or teeth that feel tender when you first bite down. Some people notice their jaw clicks or feels tired by the end of a meal.
Other signs appear in the teeth themselves. Edges that look flat or shorter than they used to, small chips along the biting surfaces and new sensitivity to cold can all point to grinding. If cold drinks have started to sting, our post on tooth sensitivity to cold explains how worn enamel plays a part.
Sometimes the first report comes from someone else. A partner or family member may hear a grinding or tapping sound at night. At a checkup, your dentist can also spot wear patterns, cracks in fillings and changes in how your teeth meet, which is why routine exams often catch bruxism before it causes real damage.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There is rarely a single cause. Stress and anxiety are among the most common triggers, and many patients notice their grinding gets worse during a demanding stretch at work or at home. Sleep habits matter too: grinding is more likely for people who sleep poorly, snore or wake often through the night.
Daily habits can add to the problem. Caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, tobacco use and some medications have all been linked to grinding. How the teeth fit together can play a role as well, since a bite that does not meet evenly may encourage the jaw to shift and clench. Because the causes overlap, the first step is an exam that looks at your teeth, your bite and your daily routine together.
What Happens If Bruxism Goes Untreated?
Grinding damage builds slowly, so it is easy to ignore until something breaks. Over months and years, enamel wears down, teeth can chip or crack and the inner layers of the tooth become more exposed. Worn teeth can also look shorter and change the appearance of your smile.
Dental work takes a beating too. Fillings, crowns and veneers are strong, but nightly grinding can crack or loosen them sooner than expected. That is why we often bring up a guard when we place a crown for someone who clenches. Our dental crowns page notes that zirconia is a good fit for heavy biters, and a night guard adds a second layer of protection.
The jaw muscles and joints feel the strain as well. Ongoing clenching can lead to jaw pain, headaches and stiffness that make chewing uncomfortable. If a tooth cracks badly enough to cause sharp pain or swelling, that becomes a situation for emergency dentistry rather than a routine visit.
Does Everyone Who Grinds Need a Night Guard?
Not always. Mild, occasional clenching that leaves no wear and causes no discomfort may only need monitoring at your regular visits, along with steps to manage stress and improve sleep. A guard makes sense when grinding is causing symptoms or visible damage, or when you have dental work that needs protecting.
A night guard does not stop the urge to grind. What it does is place a durable barrier between the upper and lower teeth so the force lands on the guard instead of your enamel and restorations. Many patients also find their jaw feels more relaxed in the morning once the teeth can no longer grind together.
How Does a Custom Night Guard Compare With a Store-Bought One?
Drugstore guards are tempting because they are quick to buy, but they are made to fit everyone, so they fit no one exactly. Here is how the two usually compare.
| Feature | Custom night guard from your dentist | Over-the-counter guard |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Made from precise impressions of your teeth | Generic sizing or boil-and-bite shaping |
| Comfort | Slim and shaped to your bite | Often bulky and can feel loose |
| Staying in place | Designed to stay seated through the night | May shift or fall out during sleep |
| Protection | Even coverage that cushions the teeth | Uneven thickness and coverage |
| Durability | Made from durable material for nightly wear | Can wear through quickly with heavy grinding |
| Professional check | Fit and bite reviewed at your visits | No exam of the wear or its cause |
A guard that feels bulky or slips out tends to end up in a drawer, and a guard you do not wear protects nothing. Fit is the main reason a dentist-made guard is worth considering.
How Is a Custom Night Guard Made at Our Office?
The process starts with an exam. We look at the wear on your teeth, check your existing dental work and ask about jaw soreness, headaches and sleep. If a guard is the right choice, we take precise impressions of your teeth so the guard can be made to fit your bite.
When the guard is ready, we check how it seats and how your teeth meet against it, and we make adjustments so it feels comfortable. It may feel a little strange for the first few nights, much like any new appliance. Most people adapt quickly once the fit is right.
Patients sometimes ask whether they need two different guards. A nightguard for grinding and an athletic mouthguard for contact sports do different jobs, and our preventive dentistry services include both. If you or your child plays sports, mention it so we can talk about the right guard for each purpose.
How Do You Care for a Night Guard?
Rinse the guard after you take it out each morning and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water. Let it dry and keep it in its case so it stays clean. Hot water can warp the material, so avoid it.
Bring the guard to your checkups. We can look for cracks, thinning or changes in fit and tell you when it is time for a replacement. The wear marks on a guard also show us how hard you are grinding, which helps track whether things are improving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a night guard stop teeth grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth from grinding but does not usually stop the habit itself. Managing stress, improving sleep and limiting caffeine and alcohol before bed can help reduce grinding over time.
Will a night guard help my jaw pain?
Many people notice less jaw soreness once their teeth can no longer grind together at night. If pain continues or your jaw locks or clicks often, tell your dentist so the cause can be evaluated.
Can I wear a night guard with crowns or veneers?
Yes. A guard is one of the simplest ways to protect crowns, veneers and fillings from grinding damage, and it is made to fit over your existing dental work.
Who will evaluate my grinding?
Dr. Mirian Belussi-Campos is a general dentist with more than 20 years of experience in implant and aesthetic dentistry. You can learn about her background on our Meet Our Doctors page.
Protect Your Teeth From Grinding in Framingham
If you wake up with a sore jaw or have noticed worn or chipped teeth, an exam can tell you whether grinding is the cause and whether a custom nightguard makes sense. Contact Cochituate Smile Center or call (508) 875-1060. Our office is at 254 Cochituate Rd in Framingham.