What Happens to Your Teeth When You Grind in Your Sleep?
If you grind your teeth at night, a custom-fitted night guard is one of the most important tools your dentist can provide to protect your smile. Bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding and clenching — places enormous pressure on your teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding muscles while you sleep, often without you ever realising it. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to cracked teeth, worn enamel, jaw pain, and costly restorative dental work down the road.
What Is Bruxism and How Do I Know If I Have It?
Bruxism affects a surprising number of adults and children. Because it happens during sleep, most people have no idea they’re doing it until a partner tells them or their dentist spots the telltale signs at a check-up.
Common signs that you may be grinding your teeth include:
- Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth — especially on the biting surfaces of molars and premolars
- Tooth sensitivity — caused by enamel erosion exposing the underlying dentin
- Jaw pain or stiffness — often worse in the morning due to prolonged clenching of the masseter and temporalis muscles
- Headaches or earaches — radiating from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area
- A sore or tired jaw upon waking
- Disrupted sleep for you or your partner due to the audible grinding sound
Your dentist can identify signs of bruxism during a routine examination by looking at the wear patterns on your enamel and assessing the health of your jaw joints.
How Does a Night Guard Protect Your Teeth?
A night guard — also called an occlusal splint or bite guard — is a custom-made oral appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth and creates a protective barrier between them. When you clench or grind during sleep, the night guard absorbs and redistributes the force of that pressure rather than allowing it to be transferred directly to your teeth and jaw.
Here is why a night guard matters:
- Prevents enamel erosion: Tooth enamel does not regenerate. Once it’s worn away by grinding, it’s gone permanently. A night guard halts that damage before it progresses.
- Reduces TMJ strain: By cushioning the bite, a night guard relieves stress on the temporomandibular joint and the surrounding musculature, reducing pain and inflammation.
- Protects existing dental work: Crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants are all vulnerable to the forces of bruxism. A night guard helps preserve your investment in your smile.
- Improves sleep quality: Reducing jaw tension and muscle fatigue can lead to more restful sleep for you and a quieter night for your partner.
Custom Night Guard vs. Over-the-Counter Options
You may have seen boil-and-bite mouth guards at the pharmacy. While these are inexpensive, they are rarely effective for treating bruxism long-term. They tend to be bulky, uncomfortable, and poorly fitted — which can actually encourage more clenching rather than less.
A custom-fabricated night guard made from precise digital or physical impressions of your teeth fits snugly and comfortably. It is designed specifically for your bite, which means it distributes pressure evenly and is far more likely to be worn consistently. The difference in protection and comfort between a custom appliance and a store-bought guard is significant.
What Happens If Bruxism Goes Untreated?
Ignoring teeth grinding is never a safe option. Over time, untreated bruxism can result in:
- Severely worn teeth that require crowns or full-mouth rehabilitation
- Cracked or fractured teeth requiring extraction
- Chronic TMJ disorder (TMD), which can cause long-term jaw dysfunction and pain
- Receding gums and increased risk of tooth loss
- Persistent headaches that impact your daily quality of life
The cost and discomfort of treating these complications far outweigh the simple step of wearing a night guard.
Protect Your Smile at For Your Smile Dental in Calgary
If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, the caring team at For Your Smile Dental in Crowfoot NW, Calgary is here to help. Dr. Christine Kim and her team can assess the extent of any wear or damage, take precise impressions, and fit you with a high-quality custom night guard tailored to your bite. Don’t wait until the damage becomes serious — call us today at 587-330-3000 or book your appointment online at fysmiledental.com. Your teeth work hard every day; let us help you protect them every night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bruxism and is it the same as teeth grinding?
Yes — bruxism is the clinical term used by dentists to describe the habit of grinding, clenching, or gnashing your teeth, most commonly during sleep. It can affect both adults and children and often goes unnoticed until a dentist identifies the signs of enamel wear or jaw stress during a routine check-up.
How do I know if I need a night guard?
Common signs that you may benefit from a night guard include waking up with a sore or stiff jaw, frequent morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, and visible wear or flattening on your teeth. The best way to know for certain is to visit a dentist — at For Your Smile Dental in Calgary, Dr. Christine Kim can examine your teeth and jaw for signs of bruxism and recommend the right treatment.
Is a custom night guard really better than one from the pharmacy?
Yes, significantly. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are generic in fit, often uncomfortable, and may not distribute bite pressure evenly, which can make clenching worse. A custom night guard made from precise impressions of your teeth fits snugly, stays in place throughout the night, and provides far superior protection for your enamel, jaw joints, and any existing dental work.
Can a night guard get rid of my TMJ pain?
A night guard can help relieve the jaw muscle tension and joint stress that contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain, especially when that pain is related to nighttime clenching or grinding. While it may not resolve every cause of TMJ disorder on its own, many patients experience a noticeable reduction in morning jaw pain and headaches after wearing a custom occlusal splint consistently.
How long does a custom night guard last?
Most custom night guards last between two to five years, depending on how severe your bruxism is and how well you care for the appliance. Your dentist will check the fit and condition of your night guard at regular check-ups and let you know when it needs to be replaced.
Will wearing a night guard cure my teeth grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth from the damage caused by bruxism, but it does not eliminate the grinding habit itself. Managing underlying causes — such as stress, anxiety, or sleep disorders like sleep apnoea — may help reduce bruxism over time. Your dentist can help identify contributing factors and discuss whether additional treatment or a referral is appropriate.
Where can I get a custom night guard in Calgary?
You can get a custom-fitted night guard at For Your Smile Dental, located at Crowfoot Centre NW in Calgary. Dr. Christine Kim will assess your bite and jaw health, take impressions, and have a precision night guard made to protect your smile. Call 587-330-3000 or book online at fysmiledental.com to get started.