Custom Night Guards – Protect Teeth from Grinding (Bruxism)

Are you waking up with a sore jaw or frequent morning headaches? You might be grinding your teeth at night – a condition known as bruxism. Left unchecked, bruxism can lead to jaw pain, worn or cracked teeth, and chronic headaches. Dr. Harkirat Kaur Aulakh at Profile Dental in Elk Grove specializes in bruxism treatment. She often recommends custom night guards – protective dental appliances worn during sleep – to safeguard your smile from the damage of teeth grinding. In this post, we’ll explain the telltale symptoms of bruxism and why a custom-fitted night guard is the best way to protect your teeth versus any store-bought mouthguard.

What Is Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?

Bruxism is the medical term for habitual teeth grinding or clenching. It can happen during the day or at night (often without you even realizing it). Nighttime bruxism is especially concerning because you’re asleep and can’t stop yourself. Over time, all that grinding wears down your tooth enamel, which can lead to flattened or chipped teeth, increased tooth sensitivity, and even loose or cracked teeth. Many people don’t know they grind their teeth until a dentist notices signs of wear or they start experiencing jaw pain and morning headaches. Bruxism is often linked to stress and anxiety, bite misalignment, or sleep disorders like snoring and sleep apnea, but it can affect anyone.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

How do you know if you might be grinding your teeth at night? Look for these common bruxism symptoms:

• Jaw pain or stiffness, especially when you wake up

• Dull headaches in the morning (often starting at your temples)

• Teeth that look flat, worn down, or chipped for no obvious reason

• Tooth sensitivity or unexplained tooth pain

• Tired jaw muscles or difficulty opening your mouth fully (your jaw might even pop or click)

• Earaches or pain that feels like an earache (even though your ears are fine)

• Grinding noises at night – often your sleep partner will hear it, even if you don’t!

If you notice a combination of these signs, you could be dealing with bruxism. Over time, severe grinding can even contribute to TMJ disorders (jaw joint issues) and damage dental work like fillings or crowns That’s why it’s important to address bruxism early – and one of the best solutions is a custom night guard.

Why Wear a Night Guard for Bruxism?

A night guard is a protective mouthguard that you wear while sleeping to prevent the destructive effects of grinding. It basically forms a cushion between your upper and lower teeth. Instead of your teeth grinding against each other, the night guard takes the wear and tear By absorbing and redistributing the force of clenching, a night guard protects your tooth enamel from damage and can prevent cracks or excessive wear.

Wearing a night guard doesn’t cure bruxism – you might still clench or grind subconsciously – but it shields your teeth from those forces so you don’t wake up with chipped teeth or jaw pain. In fact, a well-made guard can also ease strain on your jaw joint. It holds your jaw in a slightly relaxed position, which helps reduce tension in the jaw muscles and may lessen morning headaches. Many patients find they sleep better with a night guard because they’re not constantly stressing their jaw all night.

In short, a night guard is a simple, non-invasive tool that can save your smile from long-term damage. It’s often the first line of bruxism treatment dentists recommend, and for good reason – it works.

Custom Night Guards vs. Store-Bought Mouthguards

You might wonder: can I just buy a cheap mouthguard from the drugstore to help with grinding? Over-the-counter night guards (the kind you boil and bite or the one-size-fits-all trays) are available, but they don’t compare to a custom-fitted guard from a dentist in terms of comfort and protection.

Fit & Comfort: A store-bought guard is usually bulky and generic in shape. You soften a boil-and-bite guard and bite into it to mold it, but the fit is often imperfect. This can make it uncomfortable to wear and even hard to sleep in. Many over-the-counter guards are one-size-fits-all, which means they might not stay in place properly. Some people find they have to clench even more just to keep a loose guard from falling out – the exact opposite of what we want!

In contrast, a custom night guard is crafted from exact impressions of your teeth. It fits your bite precisely, meaning it stays snugly on your teeth without you having to bite down to hold it. The difference in comfort is huge: a custom guard feels slimmer, smoother, and easier to sleep with because it’s made just for you.

Protection & Safety: There’s also a big safety and effectiveness advantage. A poorly fitting guard can sometimes do more harm than good – if it throws your bite off or has you clenching awkwardly, you could end up with jaw soreness or tooth movement. In fact, a study in the British Dental Journal found that night guards purchased online (which are similar to DIY molds) were associated with gum tissue damage, unwanted tooth shifting, and even choking hazards in some cases Custom guards, on the other hand, are adjusted by your dentist to ensure a correct, balanced bite. This means your jaw rests in a healthy position and all your teeth are covered and protected. A dentist-made guard offers the safest, most accurate fit because it’s specifically made for your mouth.

Durability: Custom night guards are typically made from high-quality acrylic or resin in a dental lab. They are designed to withstand heavy grinding and last for years. Over-the-counter guards, by comparison, use cheaper materials that may wear down or flatten relatively quickly. You might find yourself replacing a store-bought guard frequently, whereas a custom guard, with proper care, can last much longer (often several years).

While a store-bought night guard might be okay as a very short-term trial, it’s not a long-term solution. If you’re serious about protecting your teeth from grinding, a custom-fitted night guard from a dentist is well worth it. It’s more comfortable, more effective, and safer for your oral health than the DIY alternatives.

Meet Dr. Harkirat Kaur Aulakh – Elk Grove’s Bruxism Expert

When it comes to treating bruxism and TMJ issues, you want to be in good hands. Dr. Harkirat Kaur Aulakh has extensive experience helping patients find relief from teeth grinding and jaw pain. As a leading Elk Grove dentist, she takes a personalized, compassionate approach to bruxism treatment. Dr. Aulakh will begin by carefully evaluating your teeth, jaw alignment, and symptoms. If a night guard is the right solution, she’ll take precise impressions (or digital scans) of your teeth to create a guard that fits perfectly.

Patients often praise Dr. Aulakh’s gentle touch and thorough explanations. She will guide you through the process of managing bruxism – from fitting you with a high-quality custom night guard to advising on any lifestyle changes (like stress reduction techniques) that can help with grinding. Her goal is not just to hand you a night guard and send you on your way, but to make sure your symptoms improve and you feel comfortable every step of the way.

At Profile Dental, Dr. Aulakh and our team prioritize your comfort and long-term oral health. We use quality materials for our custom guards and ensure they are adjusted just right. If you ever have any issues or wear out your guard after years of use, we’re here to help. Our practice has helped countless patients from Elk Grove, Sacramento, Galt, Lodi, and surrounding communities protect their teeth from bruxism. With convenient hours (including Saturdays) and a multilingual staff, we make it easy for you to get the care you need.

Don’t let nightly teeth grinding wear down your smile. With Dr. Aulakh’s expertise and a custom-fitted night guard, you can sleep soundly knowing your teeth are protected and wake up feeling better.

Frequently Asked Questions about Night Guards & Teeth Grinding

Q) How do I know if I need a night guard for teeth grinding?

A) If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or morning headaches, or if your teeth are starting to look flat, worn, or chipped, you might be grinding your teeth at night. These are telltale signs of bruxism. A dentist can also tell by examining your mouth for patterns of wear on your teeth. Some people learn they grind because their partner hears the grinding sounds while they sleep. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about getting a night guard to protect your teeth.

Q) Will a night guard stop my bruxism, or just protect my teeth?

A) A night guard is primarily a protective device – it won’t magically stop the habit of bruxism, but it will protect your teeth from damage when you do grind. Think of it like a helmet for your teeth at night. The guard takes the beating instead of your enamel. You might continue to clench or grind in your sleep (especially if stress is a factor), but the custom guard prevents that grinding from cracking or wearing down your teeth. Many patients also find that wearing a night guard reduces jaw tension and morning pain, so in that sense it helps relieve symptoms. However, it doesn’t cure the underlying cause – for example, if stress causes your grinding, you’d still benefit from stress reduction. The night guard’s job is to minimize the harm bruxism causes. Over time, some patients do grind less intensely because the guard can re-train the jaw to relax, but results vary. The main point: you’ll save your teeth and feel better with a guard, even if it doesn’t stop the grinding entirely.

Q) What’s the difference between a custom night guard and one from the drugstore?

A) The biggest differences are fit, comfort, and quality. A drugstore night guard (including boil-and-bite types) is a one-size-fits-all product. These tend to be bulky and not very precise in how they fit You might gag on it or find that it doesn’t cover your teeth properly. Often, you have to bite down to keep it in place, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to relax your jaw. A custom night guard, by contrast, is professionally made from molds of your teeth, so it fits like a glove over your bite. This means it’s thin where it needs to be thin, thick where it needs support, and overall far more comfortable. You can sleep in it without thinking about it. In terms of quality, custom guards use durable materials designed for heavy grinding, whereas cheap guards might wear through or flatten out fairly quickly. Lastly, a dentist will ensure the custom guard is balanced for your bite, which means it won’t inadvertently cause your teeth to shift or your jaw to misalign (risks that poorly fitting guards might pose). In short, a store-bought guard is okay for very short-term use or as a trial, but for long-term bruxism care, a custom-fitted night guard from your dentist is by far the superior option for protecting your teeth.