How to Know If You Need a Night Guard for Teeth Grinding

Introduction

Waking up with a dull headache or a sore jaw isn’t just a “bad night’s sleep.” For many people, these are the first red flags of a condition that quietly erodes dental health while you sleep. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause serious damage if left untreated, which is why a night guard for teeth grinding is often the most effective form of protection. At Heritage Pointe Dental, we see the long-term effects of untreated bruxism every day, from flattened teeth to chronic joint pain.

If you suspect you are clenching your teeth, the most effective line of defense is a night guard for teeth grinding. But how do you know if your symptoms warrant an intervention, and what are the actual risks of waiting?

What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?

According to the Canadian Dental Association, teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause enamel wear, jaw pain, and TMJ disorders. “Bruxism” is the medical term for the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth. While some people grind their teeth during the day (awake bruxism), usually due to stress or concentration, the most damaging form is sleep bruxism. This nocturnal activity is particularly damaging because of the biology of the masseter muscle. This muscle, which wraps around the jaw, is one of the strongest in the human body relative to its size. When you chew food, your brain regulates the force used. When you are asleep, your jaw muscles can exert significantly more force than they do when you are awake. 

Without the conscious “stop” mechanism of pain or awareness, you can put hundreds of pounds of pressure on your molars. Over time, this mechanical friction wears down the protective enamel, leaving the sensitive inner layers of the teeth exposed.

10 Warning Signs You Might Need a Night Guard

Recognizing bruxism symptoms early can save you from expensive restorative work later. Because grinding happens while you sleep, you have to look for the “evidence” left behind in the morning.

1. Morning Headaches: A dull ache starting in the temples that feels like a tension headache.
2. Flattened or Chipped Teeth: Look at the biting surfaces of your front teeth. If they appear unusually flat or if you notice small “micro-chips,” grinding is likely the cause.
3. Increased Tooth Sensitivity: As enamel wears thin, hot or cold foods may cause a sharp, jabbing pain.
4. Jaw Muscle Fatigue: Feeling like your jaw is “tired” or tight when you wake up, making it difficult to open your mouth fully.
5. Earache-like Pain: Pain that feels like it’s inside your ear but is actually radiating from the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).
6. Scalloped Tongue: Indentations on the sides of your tongue where it has been pressed against your teeth.
7. Partner Complaints: Often, a spouse or partner is the first to notice the audible “crunching” or clicking sound of teeth grinding at night.
8. Damage to the Inside of the Cheek: Finding chewed tissue or sores on the inner cheek area.
9. Loose Teeth: In severe cases, the back-and-forth rocking motion of grinding can actually loosen the ligaments holding your teeth in place.
10. Neck and Shoulder Tension: The strain in the masseter (jaw) muscles often refers pain down into the neck and upper back.

Why Teeth Grinding Is More Serious Than You Think

Many patients view grinding as a minor annoyance, but the structural impact is cumulative. If left unmanaged, bruxism can lead to:

• Vertical Bone Loss: Constant pressure can damage the bone structures supporting your teeth.
• Fractured Fillings and Crowns: The sheer force of grinding can snap even the strongest dental porcelains and composites.
• TMJ Disorders: Chronic grinding can displace the disk in your jaw joint, leading to “locking” or painful clicking that requires surgical or therapeutic intervention.
• Altered Facial Appearance: Severe wear can “shorten” the teeth, leading to a collapsed bite that makes the lower face appear aged or sunken

Beyond dental damage, there is a growing clinical correlation between bruxism and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In many cases, teeth grinding is the body’s subconscious effort to reopen a restricted airway. When the muscles in the throat relax, and the airway begins to collapse, the brain triggers a “micro-arousal.” The jaw then clenches and moves forward to stabilize the airway and resume breathing.

If you find yourself grinding your teeth and also suffer from daytime fatigue or loud snoring, the grinding might be a symptom of a deeper respiratory issue. Addressing the grinding with a protective appliance is the first step, but it also opens the door to a more important conversation about your overall sleep health and oxygen intake.

What Does a Night Guard Actually Do?

A night guard for teeth grinding serves as a barrier. Instead of your upper and lower teeth making direct contact and wearing each other down, they meet a durable, medical-grade material.Beyond just protecting the enamel, a well-fitted guard helps redistribute the occlusal (biting) pressure. 

It places the jaw in a more neutral position, allowing the overworked muscles to relax. This reduction in muscle activity is what ultimately stops the cycle of morning headaches and jaw pain.

Do You Really Need a Custom Night Guard?

While you can get over-the-counter night guards at most pharmacies, here are three reasons why you should get a custom night guard:

• Fit and Comfort: Over-the-counter (OTC) guards are bulky. If a guard is uncomfortable, you won’t wear it. Custom guards are slim and molded to fit your dentition exactly.
• Bite Alignment: A generic guard can inadvertently shift your bite. Because they aren’t calibrated to your specific jaw alignment, they can actually increase muscle activity, making you grind more because your brain senses a foreign object it wants to “chew.”
• Durability: A custom-made laboratory guard uses high-density acrylics that can last several years, whereas soft OTC guards are often chewed through in a matter of weeks.

When Should You See a Dentist About Teeth Grinding?

If you are experiencing any of the 10 signs mentioned above, it is time for a professional evaluation. During an exam, we look for “wear facets”—specific patterns on the teeth that indicate where the jaw is sliding. We also check your jaw’s range of motion and look for joint inflammation.

If you are looking for teeth grinding treatment in South Calgary, our team at Heritage Pointe Dental can provide a comprehensive occlusion analysis to determine if a night guard is the right solution or if other factors, like tooth misalignment, are contributing to the problem.

How Much Does a Night Guard Cost in South Calgary?

When considering the night guard cost, it is helpful to view it as “preventative insurance.” The cost of a professional night guard in Alberta typically ranges from $400 to $800, depending on the complexity of the design and the materials used (hard vs. soft dual laminate).While this is higher than a store-bought version, compare it to the cost of a single crown ($1,200+) or a dental implant ($3,500+) necessitated by a fractured tooth. 

Most dental insurance plans in Canada cover a significant portion of custom night guards under “Major Restorative” or “Basic” categories because they are recognized as essential for long-term oral health.

Conclusion

Teeth grinding is a physical response to various triggers, but its effects are purely mechanical. You cannot “will” yourself to stop grinding in your sleep. By using a night guard for teeth grinding, you are taking the single most effective step toward preserving your smile and ending chronic jaw pain.

If you’re tired of waking up with tension and want to protect your teeth from further wear, we can help.Schedule a consultation at Heritage Pointe Dental to see if a custom night guard is right for you.

FAQs 

• Do I really need a night guard?

If your dentist notices thinning enamel, flattened cusps, or if you are experiencing TMJ pain, a night guard is the most effective teeth grinding treatment available. It prevents irreversible damage that could lead to tooth loss or the need for expensive crowns.

• Can stress cause teeth grinding?

Yes. While the physical act is mechanical, stress and anxiety are the primary triggers for bruxism. High stress levels increase muscle tension throughout the body, including the jaw. Managing stress can help, but a guard is still necessary to protect the teeth during high-stress periods.

• Will a night guard stop headaches?

In many cases, yes. Most “morning headaches” are actually referred pain from the masseter muscles. By keeping the jaw in a relaxed position and preventing clenching, the muscle tension that causes these headaches is significantly reduced.

• How long does a night guard last?

A high-quality, custom-made guard typically lasts between 3 and 5 years. Its lifespan depends on the severity of your grinding and how well you clean and maintain the appliance.

• Can teeth grinding go away on its own?

In children, bruxism often disappears as they grow. However, in adults, it is usually a chronic condition linked to stress, sleep apnea, or bite misalignment. While it may fluctuate in intensity, it rarely disappears entirely without intervention.

• How do I clean and care for my night guard?

To ensure your appliance stays hygienic and maintains its shape, you should rinse it with cool water immediately after removing it each morning. Clean the guard daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild, non-abrasive soap. Avoid using toothpaste, as many formulas contain abrasives that can create microscopic scratches on the guard’s surface, providing a place for bacteria to grow. Always store your guard in a ventilated case to allow it to dry completely, and keep it away from high heat or direct sunlight, which can warp the material.

About the Author

Published on:
January 29, 2026