Quick answer: You may need a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth, especially while you sleep. Many people do not realize they do this until a dentist notices worn or chipped teeth, or until a partner hears the grinding. Other signs can include a sore jaw in the morning, dull headaches, and tightness in the face or neck. A custom night guard is made from a digital scan of your teeth, with no impression material, so it fits closely and can protect your teeth while you sleep. At Finer Smiles Dental Practice in Encino, Dr. Nairy Sekayan can check for signs of grinding and talk with you about whether a custom night guard is a good option.
Signs you might be grinding your teeth
Most people are not aware that they clench or grind. A dentist or hygienist is often the first to notice it during a checkup. Signs can include:
- Teeth that look worn, flattened, chipped or cracked.
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw, especially in the morning.
- Dull headaches.
- A feeling of fullness, itchiness or discomfort in the ears.
- Neck pain or tightness in the face.
- A partner who hears grinding at night.
- Clenching during the day when you feel tense or under pressure.
If you notice any of these, it is worth having your mouth checked. Jaw soreness can also have other causes, such as sinus problems, an infection, arthritis, gum disease or a problem with the jaw joint (TMJ), so an exam matters.
Why grinding is worth addressing
Grinding and clenching can wear down the surface of your teeth over time. That wear can make teeth look shorter or more yellow as the outer layer thins. It can also lead to chips, cracks, muscle tenderness and joint discomfort. A night guard does not treat every cause of grinding, but it puts a hard barrier between your upper and lower teeth so they do not wear against each other while you sleep.
What a night guard does
A night guard is a device you wear while you sleep. It keeps the upper and lower teeth from grinding directly against each other. The guard can go on either the top teeth or the bottom teeth. The night guards we make are hard and thick, not like the soft or thin over the counter ones.
Night guards sold online or in stores may not protect your teeth as well as a hard, thick custom guard made for you. A night guard is also not the same as a sports mouth guard. A sports guard has extra cushioning for impacts, and that extra bulk usually does not feel comfortable for sleep.
A night guard protects your teeth. It may not stop the grinding habit on its own. If stress, a sleep problem, or the way your teeth meet is part of the picture, we can talk about next steps, which may include a conversation with your physician.
How we check and fit a night guard
At your visit, Dr. Nairy Sekayan examines your teeth, gums and jaw, and looks for wear or other signs of grinding. Dental imaging may be used if it will help us understand what is going on. If a custom night guard is recommended, we take a digital scan of your teeth to record them for the night guard. There is no impression material and no mold. After the guard is made, Dr. Nairy Sekayan takes time equilibrating it. That means she adjusts and balances the bite on the guard so it is even and balanced.
How to care for your night guard
Bring your night guard with you when you come in, and we will clean it at the office. We will also check how it is holding up and whether the fit still looks right. At home, rinse it with water and brush it with a toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste on it, and do not soak it in anything. An ultrasonic cleaner is normally fine to use. If you soak the guard in a soak made for night guards, do that only once a week.
When you are not wearing it:
- Always keep your night guard in its case.
- Never wrap it in a napkin or tissue. That is how many guards get thrown away by mistake or lost.
- Keep the case up high, away from children and pets. Dogs and other pets love to chew on night guards.
Night guards and children
Children often grind their teeth. Because their teeth and jaws are still growing, this habit does not always cause serious damage, and many children outgrow it. If you are concerned about your child’s grinding, ask us to take a look. A child’s plan may be different from an adult’s.
When to call our office
Book a visit if you:
- Wake up with a sore jaw, dull headaches or tightness in your face or neck.
- Have noticed flattened, chipped or worn teeth.
- Have been told you grind your teeth at night.
- Already have a night guard that is worn, cracked or no longer feels comfortable.
Book a visit in Encino
If you are wondering whether you need a night guard, Dr. Nairy Sekayan and our team at Finer Smiles Dental Practice can examine your teeth and jaw and talk through your options. New patients are welcome.
Book online or call (818) 788 2155.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a night guard?
A night guard may help if you grind or clench your teeth. Worn or chipped teeth, morning jaw soreness, dull headaches, or a partner who hears grinding are common reasons to have an exam. Dr. Nairy Sekayan can tell you whether a custom guard is a good option for you.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding?
A night guard is meant to protect your teeth from the wear and strain of grinding. It may not stop the habit itself. If we find another cause, such as a sleep problem or the way your teeth meet, we will talk with you about what else may help.
Can I buy a night guard at a store?
Guards are sold in stores and online, but they are often soft or thin, and they may not protect your teeth as well as a hard, thick custom guard made from a digital scan of your teeth. A closer fit is usually more comfortable too.
Is a night guard the same as a sports mouth guard?
No. A sports mouth guard is built with extra cushioning to help protect your teeth during impact. That extra bulk usually does not feel comfortable for sleep. A night guard is made for nighttime grinding and clenching.
Do children need night guards?
Not always. Children often grind their teeth and many outgrow it as they grow. If you are worried, bring your child in so we can check their teeth and talk about whether any protection is needed.
How is a custom night guard made?
We take a digital scan of your teeth to record them for the night guard. There is no impression material and no mold. The guards we make are hard and thick, not like the soft or thin over the counter ones. After the guard is made, Dr. Nairy Sekayan takes time equilibrating it so the bite on the guard is even and balanced.
Does the night guard go on the top or the bottom teeth?
The guard can go on either the top teeth or the bottom teeth.
How should I care for my night guard?
Bring your night guard with you to your visits, and we will clean it at the office. At home, rinse it with water and brush it with a toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste on it, and do not soak it in anything. An ultrasonic cleaner is normally fine to use. If you soak the guard in a soak made for night guards, do that only once a week. When you are not wearing it, keep it in its case, and keep the case up high, away from children and pets. Never wrap it in a napkin or tissue, because it can easily get thrown away or lost. Call us if it cracks, feels loose or starts to feel uncomfortable.
Sources
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Teeth grinding and jaw pain. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-grinding
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Pictures of common dental problems, Teeth grinding. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/what-dental-issues-look-like
This article is general education, not a diagnosis or a treatment promise. Only an in person exam can determine what is right for your mouth.
