Do I Really Need a Nightguard?

Clenching or grinding can do irreparable damage to your teeth.  Yet the vast majority of patients who clench or grind their teeth do not realize that they do so because it happens while they’re asleep.  This unawareness, and the unappealing thought of having to wear an appliance to sleep, often leads to patients asking us, “Do I really need a nightguard?”

There are some common findings during the exam of a person who clenches or grinds their teeth:

Thinning enamel, with yellow inner layer of the teeth showing through

Wear facets, or round holes, on the chewing surfaces of the teeth

Cracks in the teeth

Short teeth height

This wear is almost always due to bruxism, which is the forceful clenching or grinding of the teeth in which your upper and lower teeth move against each other with great force.

What happens if I don’t wear a nightguard?

Grinding or clenching your teeth is extremely destructive to your teeth.  It causes the enamel to wear down and can lead to temperature sensitivity, pain when chewing (due to cracks that form in the teeth), gum recession, and can eventually cause teeth to chip or break.  Even without any cavities, this damage can lead to the need for crown, bridges, extractions, and implants.

Aside from the damage to teeth, clenching or grinding can also cause damage to the TMJ, or jaw joint, causing facial pain and trouble opening or closing the mouth.  The pain can radiate to the head, neck, shoulders, and back.

Why is a night guard expensive?  Can I use one from the drugstore?

The nightguards available at the drugstore are less expensive because they are not fitted to your mouth.  They usually fit poorly and hard to keep in your mouth.  In our experience, most patients that have tried drugstore nightguards have not been able to wear them. 

At Smile Studios, we’ll make impressions of your teeth so your nightguard fits your teeth exactly.  We’ll also check your bite to make sure it is evenly distributed on the back teeth and your jaw joint is in neutral position.

While a custom night guard can be expensive, it will likely save you lots of time and money on future dental work because it will minimize the damage done by clenching and grinding your teeth.  In many instances, dental insurance covers some of the cost.

In our experience, we have seen nightguard use slow down or halt the wear of our patient’s teeth.  Many patients who didn’t even realize they were clenching or grinding their teeth say they have found relief in headaches and jaw aches after wearing their nightguard.  Wearing the nightguard can take getting used to, but once you’ve created the habit, you’ll likely feel more comfortable sleeping with it in.  If you are clenching or grinding your teeth, use of a custom nightguard will protect your teeth and minimize future dental problems and expense.