Treatment

Night guards and bite splints

Grinding and clenching happen mostly during sleep, so most people find out from the damage rather than from the habit. A custom night guard takes the force instead of your teeth. It does not stop you grinding, and no dental appliance does, but it stops the wear, which is the part that cannot be reversed once enamel is gone. Grinding is strongly associated with stress and with disturbed sleep, so a guard is best treated as damage control alongside whatever is driving it. Fit is what makes the difference between a guard that gets worn and one that ends up in a drawer. A custom guard made from impressions of your own teeth is thinner, more comfortable and more stable than a boil-and-bite version from a pharmacy, and comfort is what determines whether it is actually used every night.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Binaya Bhandari, Owner and Dental Surgeon, NMC 20701. Last updated 16 August 2026.

Clear custom-made night guard for teeth grinding, held in a pair of hands — A night guard takes the grinding, so your teeth do not.

When do you need this treatment?

You wake with a sore jaw or a headache at the temples
Flattened, chipped or worn edges on your teeth
A partner has heard you grinding at night
Teeth have become sensitive without any decay

What happens during your visit?

1Examination of the wear pattern on your teeth and the jaw muscles
2Impressions taken for a guard made to your bite
3Fitting and adjustment so it is comfortable enough to actually wear
4A review to check the fit and whether the wear has stopped

What happens if you leave it untreated?

Grinding wears enamel away permanently, and once it is gone the teeth become shorter, more sensitive and more prone to chipping. Long-term clenching also loads the jaw joint and can crack existing fillings, crowns and even the teeth themselves.

What is recovery like?

No recovery period. Expect a few nights of feeling bulky before you sleep through with it, and some extra saliva at first. Report any guard that makes your bite feel different in the morning, as it may need adjusting.

General guidance only. Your own recovery depends on your case, and the dentist treating you will tell you what to expect.

Questions you might have

Night Guards & Splints

Will a night guard stop me grinding?

No, and no appliance does. It protects the teeth from the force rather than removing the habit. That is still worth doing, because the tooth wear is the permanent part, but addressing stress and sleep quality is what affects the grinding itself.

Is a shop-bought guard as good as a custom one?

Generally not. Boil-and-bite guards are bulkier and less stable, which makes them uncomfortable enough that many people stop wearing them, and an ill-fitting guard can shift teeth over time. A custom guard is made from impressions of your own teeth.

How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?

Common signs are waking with a tight or aching jaw, headaches at the temples, teeth that are sensitive without decay, and visibly flattened biting edges. A dentist can usually identify the characteristic wear pattern during a routine examination.

Who does this