Night Guards

San Diego Dentist

Patients of all ages may sometimes experience bruxism (tooth grinding) during sleep. This commonly occurs in growing children or in adults during times of stress, and is often minor and causes no issues. However, in severe cases, grinding your teeth during sleep can lead to chipping or excessive wear and tear, or even pain or discomfort in your jaw.

Your dentist may advise you to use a night guard to protect your teeth from damage. A night guard is a custom-fitted oral appliance that you wear over your teeth while sleeping. This prevents your teeth from grinding against one another overnight, which protects them from immediate damage. It can also serve to break the unconscious habit of bruxism and protect your teeth from further damage in future.