A night guard is a clear plastic dental appliance that fits over the top or bottom teeth. During the process of grinding or clenching teeth, much of the force will be transferred to the night guard instead of to the teeth. Often, deep indentations will eventually form in the night guard from the habit of grinding. The night guard prevents this excessive force from causing damage to the teeth. Without a night guard, teeth can chip, crack and get worn down, leading to tooth sensitivity and possible need for extensive dental treatment.

A night guard helps prevent damage to the teeth that bruxism can cause. However, it doesn’t get to the root cause of grinding the teeth. Very commonly, the cause is stress, and in many cases, a specific cause is never found. In some people bruxism is a symptom of a serious medical condition called sleep apnea. Please talk to your physician about sleep apnea screening and evaluation if you suspect that you may suffer from it.