The Short Answer: Night Guards Protect Your Teeth From Serious Damage
If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep — a condition known as sleep bruxism — a custom-fitted night guard is one of the most effective ways to protect your smile. Night guards create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the force of grinding and preventing the enamel erosion, jaw pain, and tooth fractures that bruxism can cause over time. Without protection, the damage can be significant, costly to repair, and in some cases, permanent.
What Is Sleep Bruxism and How Do You Know If You Have It?
Sleep bruxism is the involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth during sleep. Because it happens while you’re unconscious, many people don’t realise they’re doing it until a partner mentions the noise — or until their dentist spots the telltale signs during a routine exam.
Common signs that you may be grinding your teeth at night include:
- Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth that seem to have changed shape over time
- Jaw soreness or tightness, especially first thing in the morning
- Headaches that begin around the temples
- Facial muscle fatigue or pain around the cheeks and ears
- Tooth sensitivity that has worsened without an obvious cause
- Disrupted sleep for you or your partner
Bruxism is often linked to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, and certain medications. If you recognise any of these symptoms, it’s worth speaking with your dentist sooner rather than later.
What Happens to Your Teeth If You Don’t Treat Bruxism?
The human bite can exert an enormous amount of force — in some cases over 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. When that force is applied repeatedly throughout the night, night after night, the consequences for your oral health can be serious.
Untreated sleep bruxism can lead to:
- Enamel erosion — the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth wears away, making them more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity
- Cracked or fractured teeth — these can require crowns, root canal treatment, or in severe cases, extraction
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction — chronic strain on the jaw joint can cause clicking, locking, or persistent pain
- Receding gums — the excess pressure can affect the gum tissue and underlying bone
- Damage to existing dental work — fillings, crowns, and veneers can crack or loosen over time
What makes bruxism particularly tricky is that enamel does not grow back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone — which is why early intervention matters so much.
How Does a Night Guard Help?
A custom night guard (also called an occlusal splint or bite guard) is a removable dental appliance worn over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep. Unlike the one-size-fits-all guards sold at pharmacies, a professionally made night guard is custom-moulded to the precise shape of your teeth, so it fits comfortably, stays in place, and provides reliable protection all night long.
Night guards work by:
- Creating a physical barrier that prevents tooth-on-tooth contact
- Absorbing and redistributing the force of clenching across the appliance rather than your enamel
- Reducing muscle tension in the jaw by keeping it in a slightly more relaxed, neutral position
- Helping to protect existing dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and veneers
Many patients report waking up with noticeably less jaw soreness and fewer headaches within just a few weeks of wearing their night guard consistently.
Store-Bought vs. Custom Night Guards: Is There Really a Difference?
Yes — and it’s a meaningful one. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are made from generic, soft materials that may actually encourage more clenching in some patients. They often fit poorly, feel bulky, and can disrupt sleep rather than improve it. For mild cases they may offer some protection, but they are not a long-term solution.
A custom-fitted night guard from your dentist is fabricated from high-quality dental materials using precise impressions of your teeth. It is designed specifically for your bite, your jaw anatomy, and the severity of your bruxism. This means better comfort, better protection, and a much higher chance that you’ll actually wear it every night — which is ultimately what matters most.
Ready to Protect Your Smile?
If you wake up with a sore jaw, frequent headaches, or your dentist has noticed signs of wear, don’t wait for the damage to get worse. The team at For Your Smile Dental, located at Crowfoot Centre NW in Calgary, can assess your bite, discuss your symptoms, and fit you with a custom night guard designed to keep your teeth safe while you sleep. We welcome walk-in appointments and offer 0% financing to make your care as straightforward as possible. Call us at 587-330-3000 or book your appointment online at fysmiledental.com — your smile will thank you for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm grinding my teeth in my sleep?
Common signs of sleep bruxism include waking up with jaw soreness or stiffness, frequent morning headaches around the temples, and teeth that look flattened or worn down. Your dentist can also spot the signs of grinding during a routine exam, even before you notice symptoms yourself.
Are night guards from the dentist better than the ones from the pharmacy?
Yes — a custom night guard made by a dentist is fitted precisely to your teeth and bite, which means it's more comfortable, more effective, and far more likely to stay in place all night. Over-the-counter guards often fit poorly and can actually cause some patients to clench more, making the problem worse over time.
How long does it take to get a custom night guard?
The process typically involves two appointments — one to take impressions of your teeth, and a second to fit and adjust the finished guard once it's been fabricated in a dental lab. Most patients receive their custom night guard within one to two weeks of their initial appointment.
Will wearing a night guard cure my teeth grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth from the damage caused by grinding, but it does not eliminate the underlying habit itself. Your dentist may also recommend addressing contributing factors such as stress management, sleep quality, or in some cases referral to a specialist if a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea is suspected.
How do I care for my night guard?
Rinse your night guard with cool water before and after each use, and clean it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap — avoid toothpaste, as it can be abrasive. Store it in a ventilated case when not in use, and bring it to your dental appointments so your dentist can check it for wear and ensure the fit is still correct.
Can children grind their teeth, and do they need a night guard too?
Yes, bruxism is actually quite common in children, though many outgrow it as their adult teeth come in. Whether a child needs a night guard depends on the severity of the grinding and any damage being caused — your dentist can assess this and recommend the appropriate treatment for your child's age and stage of dental development.
Where can I get a custom night guard in Calgary?
For Your Smile Dental at Crowfoot Centre NW in Calgary offers custom-fitted night guards as part of their general dentistry services. You can call 587-330-3000 or book an appointment online at fysmiledental.com — walk-in appointments are also welcome.