What Are Night Guards and Why Do You Need One?

Is your sleep as restful as it should be? Do you ever wake up with jaw pain, tension headaches, or sensitive teeth? These subtle signs might point to a hidden problem: nighttime teeth grinding. Fortunately, night guards offer a reliable and comfortable solution for protecting your smile and improving your sleep.

What Is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a dental appliance worn during sleep to prevent upper and lower teeth from clenching or grinding together. It creates a protective barrier that reduces friction and pressure, minimizes damage to enamel, and alleviates stress on the jaw. The look is often more streamlined than a mouth guard worn when playing sports, but the goal is the same: to shield your teeth from unintended damage.

While you can find one-size-fits-all options at the drugstore, these don’t offer the comfort or effectiveness of a professionally made version. A custom night guard is designed and fabricated by a dental professional specifically for your bite. This makes it more comfortable to wear consistently and more effective as a long-term bruxism treatment.

How to Tell If You Need One

Custom night guards solve multiple problems. Here’s how to determine if it’s worth investing in one.

Do You Grind Your Teeth When You Sleep?

Bruxism affects many adults. While it often goes unnoticed, telltale signs can reveal its presence. For instance, you might wake up with sore teeth or tension in your jaw, or your partner may report hearing grinding sounds at night. This repetitive motion can wear down enamel, chip or crack teeth, and increase tooth sensitivity. A night guard cushions your bite, absorbing the force and distributing pressure more evenly to prevent these issues.

Do You Struggle with TMJ Syndrome?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. When the joint becomes inflamed or overworked, symptoms like jaw pain, clicking noises, or restricted movement can develop. TMJ syndrome is often linked to grinding or clenching, especially during sleep.

A custom night guard helps relieve this stress by gently holding the jaw in a neutral position. This encourages muscle relaxation and joint decompression. If you’ve been using over-the-counter pain medications or avoiding certain foods to minimize jaw strain, a professionally designed night guard could be a more effective, long-term solution.

Do You Snore?

Chronic snoring may indicate a misaligned bite or a partially obstructed airway. Specially designed dental appliances called snoring guards reposition the jaw forward slightly to reduce the health risks associated with poor nighttime breathing. For people who snore without sleep apnea, this option can improve rest without needing bulky machinery or invasive procedures.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep. While moderate to severe cases usually require a CPAP machine or medical intervention, a dental night guard may help manage mild cases.

These guards, known as mandibular advancement devices, gently reposition the lower jaw to keep the airway open. Dentists trained in sleep apnea therapy can fabricate these guards in collaboration with your sleep specialist to reduce the frequency of apneas and improve oxygen flow during sleep.

Custom Night Guards in Scottsdale

Generic night guards come with compromises. Many are too bulky or loose to wear comfortably through the night. Some don’t stay in place, while others apply pressure in the wrong areas. A poor fit leads to more clenching or misaligned teeth.

That’s why investing in a custom night guard is the best approach. Here are some of the night guard benefits to consider:

• Precise fit: A custom night guard is made using digital or physical impressions of your teeth to ensure the perfect fit for your bite and oral anatomy.
• Durable materials: Dental labs use high-grade acrylic or thermoplastic materials that resist grinding wear and maintain their structure.
• Professional oversight: Your dentist monitors the fit and function of the guard over time. If your bite changes or symptoms evolve, adjustments can be made quickly.

Creating a professional night guard begins with a detailed oral evaluation and bite scan. Precise impressions are taken using either digital scanning or traditional molds. These are sent to a trusted dental lab, where technicians fabricate a guard to your specifications. The guard is then fitted and fine-tuned during a follow-up visit to ensure it feels secure and comfortable.

Find Teeth Grinding Solutions in Scottsdale

S&C Dental Scottsdale provides high-quality, full-service dentistry focused on personal care. Our team has decades of experience and has helped thousands of patients protect their smiles with effective, comfortable custom night guards. We understand that your lifestyle demands lasting solutions, and we provide them with a gentle, detail-driven approach. Contact our Scottsdale office today to schedule a custom night guard consultation.