What bruxism is: and why it matters
Bruxism is the clinical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. It happens most often during sleep, which means many people do it for years without realising. The forces involved are far greater than those of normal chewing, your jaw muscles can generate enormous pressure during a grinding episode, and enamel doesn't grow back once it's worn away.
Over time, untreated bruxism can lead to:
- Flattened, chipped, or notched biting surfaces
- Cracked teeth that may need crowns to restore
- Sensitivity from thinned enamel
- Jaw soreness, headaches, and TMJ discomfort
- Wear on existing restorations like fillings and crowns
Catching it early, before significant damage accumulates, is much easier than repairing it later.
TMJ symptoms and the jaw connection
Bruxism and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction often go hand in hand. The jaw joint sits just in front of your ear, and the muscles that control it are some of the strongest in the body. When those muscles are chronically overworked (as they are with grinding or clenching) the joint itself can become inflamed or strained.
Symptoms can include clicking or popping in the jaw, limited opening, pain that radiates into the neck or temples, or an ache in front of the ear. A night guard doesn't fix underlying joint problems on its own, but reducing the load on the joint while you sleep is often an important part of managing symptoms.
Why custom fit matters
An over-the-counter boil-and-bite guard offers basic coverage, but custom and generic guards are meaningfully different products:
| | Custom | Over-the-counter | |---|---|---| | Fit | Precise to your teeth | Approximate | | Material | Dense, durable acrylic | Soft foam or thin thermoplastic | | Jaw position | Designed for your bite | Generic | | Durability | 2–5+ years | Often months | | Comfort | Slim, stable | Bulky, can shift |
A poorly fitting guard can actually increase muscle activity in some people, the opposite of the intended effect. The fit and bite relationship matter.
What getting fitted looks like
Getting a custom night guard involves two short visits:
Impressions and bite registration
We take impressions of your upper and lower teeth, a quick, comfortable process, along with a record of how your teeth bite together. These go to a dental lab that fabricates your guard to precise specifications.
Fitting appointment
When the guard comes back, we seat it carefully, check the fit against your bite, and make any minor adjustments needed. We'll show you how to insert and remove it, and how to clean and store it properly.
That's it. Most patients are surprised at how straightforward the process is.
Caring for your night guard
A little daily care keeps your guard clean and extends its life:
- Rinse it with cool water when you take it out in the morning
- Clean it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, not toothpaste, which can scratch the surface
- Store it in the vented case it came with so it can dry out fully
- Keep it away from heat (including hot water), which can distort the shape
- Bring it to your regular check-ups so we can inspect it for wear
When to replace your night guard
Signs that it's time for a new one:
- Visible holes or deep wear through the material
- The guard no longer feels snug or has started to shift at night
- You've had significant dental work since it was made (crowns, extractions, orthodontics)
- It's been more than five years
Concerned about worn or cracked teeth?
If grinding has already caused damage, crowns and bridges can restore teeth that have been significantly worn or cracked. And if jaw clenching is connected to sleep issues, our page on sleep apnea appliances may be a useful companion read.
Want to find out if a night guard is right for you?
Mention any jaw soreness, morning headaches, or concerns about wear at your next check-up and we'll take a focused look. If a guard makes sense, the process is simple and we'll walk you through it.