The enamel of the tooth is one of the strongest substances in the human body. Its natural resistance to acid, erosion, impact, and other deteriorating forces make it the ideal substance to make up dentition. The human jaw is simultaneously one of the strongest and most delicate human features, with its near-constant use in chewing, vocalization, and facial expression consistently training the muscles. Together these two body parts provide the mouth with a lot of stability and strength, while also opening it up to fragility and damage. Because of this, oral experts and dentists alike have developed various guards to protect the jaw and teeth. Mouth guards are used in everyday and specialized situations, from nightly wear to protective sports gear. As appliances worn in the evening, night guards (as mouth guards designed for night wear are called) are the most commonly prescribed and purchased, as many are affected by unconscious oral disorders.
Dentists often prescribe night guards when they see apparent signs of bruxism, or teeth grinding. This showcases itself in excessive tooth wear (chips, flattening, cracks), extremely worn enamel, and increased tooth sensitivity. The nightly erosion of the teeth puts a great strain on detention, exacerbating existing problems and providing the foundation for more intense dental issues in the future. Night guards mitigate these issues by keeping the detention stable and healthy. The strict, proper alignment of the jaw in a mouth guard decreases the muscle strain, encouraging a lightened bite that does less damage to the teeth. The night guard also provides a physical barrier between the two sets of teeth, further inhibiting the scraping damage to grinding by absorbing the force.
Often bruxism partners with another oral issue that has become increasingly common, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. TMJ pain comes from the continuous strain put on the jaw muscles from compulsive grinding and clenching, and manifests as soreness throughout the face in the jaw, face, and/or ears. Its intensity ranges from minimal tightness and discomfort to flaring pain and popped jaw discs. Disc dislocation can be confirmed by sustained clicking in the jaw. If left unregulated and untreated, TMJ pain can escalate to intense conditions of jaw pain and alignment, including jaw dislocation and decreased jaw mobility.
If you have one or both of these conditions, a night guard may be the right choice for you. Night guards help mitigate the symptoms of bruxism and TMJ pain by acting as a physical barrier between the jaw, teeth, and mouth. For bruxism, this prevents the scraping of tooth on tooth, keeping the enamel intact and unaffected. For TMJ pain, the barrier redirects and redistributes the compulsive biting force of the jaw, keeping it from overexerting itself into soreness. Night guards also set the jaw in the proper orientation, reorienting the strain on the muscles and minimizing the bite force. For either condition, this minimization reduces bodily pain and discomfort. For some patients with TMJ pain, a night guard ends up exacerbating the feelings of soreness and ache, as the barrier of the plastic causes patients to bite harder, increasing jaw discomfort. Even when strain is increased, night guards are invaluable for their protection of the teeth and oral environment, so it is still a worthwhile investment for long-term oral health.
Night guards come in various compositions and hardness, each especially formulated to combat different sleeping issues. While night guards are available over-the-counter, custom appliances can be uncomfortable, disruptive to sleep, or functionally ineffective. A night guard from Westtown Dental Care will be a custom fit, ensuring continuous nighttime comfort.
If you or a loved one has noticed signs of bruxism or TMJ pain, give us a call today at 484-887-0777 to schedule a consultation. You deserve restful, quiet, and restorative sleep every night! Our staff will be happy to assist you.
Works Cited
Baron, Thomas. “Night Guard For TMJ Relief: Does It Really Work?” Brookhaven Dental Associates, 17 November 2024. https://www.brookhavendentalassociates.com/post/night-guard-for-tmj-relief-does-it-really-work
“Night Guards.” Westtown Dental Care. https://www.westtowndentalcare.com/services/general-family-dentistry/night-guards/
“TMJ Pain and Headaches? Here’s How a Night Guard Can Help” Knoxville Smiles, 20 March 2025. https://www.knoxvillesmiles.com/tmj-pain-and-headaches-heres-how-a-night-guard-can-help/
“Why night guards do NOT help TMJ.” Functional TMJ & Neck Center. https://tmjneck.com/why-night-guards-do-not-help-tmj/