Teeth Grinding: How to Tell, and What a Night Guard Actually Does
Bruxism cracks teeth, flattens enamel, and causes morning headaches. Learn the signs and how a properly fitted night guard protects your bite.
May 19, 2026 · 5 min read · Reviewed by Dr. Marianna Zadov, DDS
Most grinders have no idea
Sleep bruxism happens during arousal moments in the sleep cycle, so there is no memory of it. The clenching forces involved can exceed anything you generate while chewing, and they are sustained for far longer.
Dentists usually spot it before patients do: flattened cusp tips, shiny wear facets that match between upper and lower teeth, hairline cracks, notches at the gumline, scalloped edges on the tongue, and enlarged jaw muscles.
Symptoms you can notice yourself
Morning jaw soreness or stiffness, temple headaches on waking, teeth that feel sensitive to cold across a whole quadrant, clicking in the jaw joint, disturbed sleep for a partner who hears the sound, and unexplained chipping of front teeth or repeated failure of fillings.
Stress, caffeine, alcohol, certain antidepressants, and untreated sleep apnea all increase grinding activity.
What a night guard does and does not do
A custom hard acrylic guard does not stop the brain from grinding. It redistributes the force and gives the teeth a replaceable sacrificial surface, protecting enamel, existing crowns, veneers, and implants from fracture. Many patients also report less morning muscle pain because the guard changes how the jaw closes.
Boil-and-bite guards from a pharmacy are soft, bulky, and often make matters worse — soft material can invite more chewing activity, and a poor fit can shift teeth over time.
Getting one made
We take a digital scan, design the guard to your bite, and adjust it at delivery so contacts are even across the arch. It should feel snug, not tight, and should never cause a tooth to feel sore afterward.
If grinding is accompanied by loud snoring or daytime fatigue, we will discuss screening for sleep apnea, because treating the airway sometimes resolves the grinding.
Talk it through with us
This article is general education, not personal dental advice. For a recommendation specific to your mouth, book an exam with Dr. Zadov or read more about our preventive care.