Can Night Guards Ruin Your Teeth?
A night guard professionally designed will not ruin your teeth. But if it is poorly sized, left dirty, or not cleaned consistently, it could contribute to tooth decay, gum irritation, and even minor bite changes with your teeth from uneven pressure. Night guards are great for protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching, yet they may sometimes have small side effects, especially when you begin. Most of these effects are quite minor and will subside as you get used to wearing your night guard.
Some Common Night Guard Issues
Here are a few common side effects, what creates them, how they might feel, and several suggestions to make wearing your night guard more comfortable.
Minor Discomfort and Irritation
You might experience some minor discomfort or irritation when you begin using your night guard, and it just might take some getting used to. You have been accustomed to sleeping without a night guard, so it only makes sense that it could feel strange at first.
- Why Does it Happen- Initial minor discomfort is quite common while your mouth adjusts to wearing the guard.
- How it Feels- Mild soreness may be in your gums, teeth, or jaw, along with a slight feeling of pressure.
- Duration- Usually, any issues are short-term, lasting for several days to a couple of weeks. Persistent discomfort might indicate the need for an adjustment during a dental visit.
Poor Fit That Causes Pain, Pressure, or Soreness
If you purchase an over-the-counter night guard or if your custom night guard is not fitted properly, you may experience pain. It is essential not to neglect this pain. If your night guard is improperly fitted, you need to take care of it before it leads to any bigger issues like shifting teeth or jaw misalignment.
- Why Does it Happen- A poorly fitted night guard might place uneven pressure on your teeth, affecting your bite alignment.
- How it Feels- You might feel subtle changes in how your teeth align, especially when waking up, and it could include jaw tension.
- Duration- If the fit is corrected promptly, the issues are short-term, but prolonged use of an ill-fitting night guard may lead to longer-lasting issues.
Shifting Teeth
When your night guard is not fitted properly, you may experience teeth shifting.
- Why Does it Happen- If a night guard does not fit your teeth properly, it may put uneven pressure on some teeth, resulting in slight shifting. This unwanted stress can affect the alignment of your bite and can even worsen your TMJ, temporomandibular joint, issues, causing discomfort in your jaw.
- How it Feels- Teeth shifting might feel like the soreness experienced after wearing braces. You might notice sensitivity in certain teeth or feel like your bite alignment is slightly off when you wake up.
- Duration- Shifting is a long-term risk if left untreated and is not something you experience with a properly fitting night guard.
Potential Issues that can Contribute to Harming Your Teeth
Here are a few possible issues with a poorly fitted or neglected night guard that can indeed contribute to damaging your teeth:
- Increased Risk of Cavities- Bacteria can accumulate on a dirty night guard, leading to decay if not cleaned properly.
- Gum Irritation- An ill-fitting night guard may irritate your gums, causing discomfort and inflammation.
- Bite Misalignment- A poorly fitted night guard may slightly shift your teeth over time.