Short answer
A night guard is a thin, custom-fitted cover worn over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep. It takes the force of nighttime grinding and clenching so your enamel, fillings and crowns don’t. If you wake up with a sore jaw, headaches or flattened, chipped teeth, it’s worth asking us whether a guard makes sense for you.
What is teeth grinding, and how do you know you’re doing it?
Grinding and clenching your teeth is called bruxism. Many people do it in their sleep, so they only find out when a partner hears it or a dentist spots the wear. Stress, sleep problems, caffeine, alcohol and an uneven bite can all play a part.
Common signs include:
- A tired, tight or sore jaw when you wake up
- Dull headaches near the temples in the morning
- Teeth that look flat, short or chipped at the edges
- New sensitivity to cold without an obvious cavity
- Scalloped marks along the sides of your tongue
- A partner who hears grinding at night
If several of these sound familiar, we can look for wear patterns during a regular dental exam and cleaning.
Why should you wear a night guard? Five reasons
1. It shields your enamel
Enamel does not grow back. Night after night, grinding can wear it thin, leaving teeth shorter, more sensitive and more likely to crack. A guard puts a durable layer of plastic between your upper and lower teeth, so the guard takes the wear instead.
2. It can ease jaw and muscle soreness
Clenching keeps your jaw muscles working all night. A guard spreads the pressure more evenly and gives your teeth a smooth surface to slide on, which helps many people wake up with less jaw tension and fewer morning headaches. Ongoing jaw joint pain or clicking should still be checked.
3. It protects crowns, bridges and veneers
Dental work can chip or loosen under heavy grinding forces. If you have crowns, a bridge or veneers, a guard is one of the simplest ways to help them last. We may suggest wearing it on the arch that gives your restorations the most protection.
4. It may help you (and your partner) sleep better
A guard does not cure a sleep disorder, but it can quiet the noise of grinding and reduce the discomfort that wakes some people up. If you also snore loudly or stop breathing in your sleep, talk to your doctor, because that can point to sleep apnea.
5. It costs far less than repairing damage
Cracked teeth may need fillings, crowns or even root canal treatment. A guard is a one-time preventive step that can help you avoid some of that work. Our published prices show what common repairs like crowns cost, and we give you a written estimate for a guard before we make it.
Custom vs. store-bought night guards
Drugstore guards can work as a short-term fix, but they are bulkier and can shift during the night. A custom guard is made from impressions of your own teeth.
| Feature | Store-bought (boil-and-bite) | Custom from a dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Approximate; can feel loose or bulky | Made to match your bite |
| Comfort while sleeping | Often harder to keep in all night | Thinner and easier to wear |
| Protects dental work | Limited | Designed around crowns and bridges |
| Bite check | None | Adjusted by the dentist at delivery |
| Typical lifespan | Shorter | Longer with good care |
How do you get a custom night guard?
- We examine your teeth, jaw and any existing dental work.
- We take impressions of your teeth.
- Your guard is made to fit those impressions.
- At a short follow-up visit, we try it in and adjust it so your bite feels even.
- You take it home with cleaning and storage instructions.
You’ll find more detail on our night guards page. If you play contact sports, ask about a separate sports mouth guard; the two are built for different jobs.
How do you care for a night guard?
- Rinse it after each use and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water.
- Let it air-dry, then store it in its vented case.
- Keep it away from hot water, car dashboards and pets.
- Bring it to your checkups so we can look for cracks, thin spots or a change in fit.
Guards do wear out. Our guide on how long night guards last explains the signs it’s time for a new one.
When to call us
Call us if you notice new chips or cracks, a tooth that hurts when you bite, jaw pain that lasts more than a week or two, or a night guard that no longer fits snugly. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Frequently asked questions
Either can work. Lower guards often feel less bulky, while upper guards can cover more of the bite. We choose based on your bite, your dental work and what you can comfortably wear.
Not always. A guard mainly protects your teeth and spreads the force. Managing stress, cutting back on late caffeine or alcohol, and treating sleep problems can reduce the grinding itself.
Some PPO plans cover part of the cost, often with limits. We check your benefits before your visit; see our insurance page for the plans we work with.
Grinding is common in young children and often fades as their teeth change. We watch for wear during their checkups and only suggest a guard when it is clearly needed.
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — the right treatment for you depends on an exam.