How to Know You Need a Night Guard

Waking up tired even after a full night’s rest? Jaw aching in the morning? You might not realize it, but your teeth could be grinding away while you sleep. Night grinding also called bruxism is common, but it’s also damaging. That’s where night guards in Sunset Hills, MO, come in.

Let’s look at the signs that suggest you might need one and how it can protect your teeth, jaw, and sleep.

1. You Wake Up With Some Jaw Pain or Soreness

That dull ache in your jaw first thing in the morning? It’s a classic sign of nighttime grinding.

Here’s what’s likely happening:

• While you sleep, your jaw clenches tightly or grinds side to side.
• This puts pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
• Muscles around the jaw stay tight for hours, leaving you sore in the morning.

If you feel pain when chewing, opening your mouth wide, or yawning don’t ignore it. It may be time to talk to a dentist near you about protecting your teeth with a custom night guard.

2. You Experience Frequent Headaches

Grinding doesn’t just affect your jaw it can travel upward and cause tension headaches. These usually start at the temples and can stretch into your neck and shoulders.

Watch for these headache clues:

• Dull ache near your temples upon waking
• Pressure in your sinuses or forehead
• Headaches paired with jaw tightness

Since night guards relieve stress in your jaw muscles, they often reduce or eliminate these morning headaches altogether.

3. Your Teeth Are Worn or Damaged

Look in the mirror. Do your teeth seem flatter than they used to be? Any small chips or cracks? That could be your bite at work during the night.

Signs of wear from grinding include:

• Flattened biting edges
• Tiny fractures or chips
• Increased tooth sensitivity

Your enamel is strong but not unbreakable. Left unprotected, grinding can lead to damage that may require crowns or fillings down the road. Getting ahead of it with night guards in Sunset Hills, MO can save both your smile and your wallet.

4. You Hear Clicking or Popping Sound in Your Jaw

A clicking jaw might sound harmless, but it’s your body telling you something is off with your TMJ. The temporomandibular joint controls movement of your jaw. Grinding puts stress on this area.

Other related symptoms include:

• Jaw stiffness in the morning
• Pain when chewing
• Limited ability to open your mouth fully

These sounds may not hurt right now, but continued stress without treatment can turn them into chronic pain. A properly fitted night guard stabilizes your jaw while you sleep and helps prevent long-term damage.

5. You Sleep Poorly or Wake Frequently

Sleep should feel restful, not like a battle you lose every night. Grinding doesn’t just harm your mouth—it interrupts your sleep cycles.

Grinding-related sleep problems:

• You wake up several times during the night
• Your sleep feels light or easily disturbed
• You still feel tired despite sleeping “enough”

A night guard can reduce subconscious tension, helping your jaw relax so you can sleep more deeply. You might not even realize how much better you can feel until you try one.

6. Your Partner Hears You Grinding at Night

Sometimes the person sleeping next to you will notice signs you can’t. Grinding can be loud, and your partner may describe it like this:

• “You were chewing something in your sleep.”
• “It sounded like crunching or scraping.”
• “You kept clenching your jaw all night.”

These clues are valuable! Bruxism often happens without awareness, so outside input can be the first sign you need protection.

Quick List: When to Talk to a Dentist in South County, MO About a Night Guard

• You wake up with a tight jaw or sore face
• You’ve noticed increased tooth sensitivity
• Your molars look flat or chipped
• You suffer from frequent morning headaches
• Your partner hears grinding sounds while you sleep

How Night Guards Work

Custom night guards:

• Sit between your upper and lower teeth
• Prevent direct tooth-to-tooth contact
• Ease pressure on your jaw joints
• Encourage muscle relaxation

You wear them only while sleeping. Most patients report they’re easy to get used to some even feel strange without it after a while!

Night Guard Myths—Debunked

• Myth: Night guards are bulky and uncomfortable
• Truth: Modern guards are sleek and made from soft, flexible materials.
• Myth: Store-bought guards work just as well
• Truth: Custom-fit guards are more comfortable, effective, and safer for long-term use.
• Myth: If I’m not in pain, I don’t need one
• Truth: Bruxism can silently damage teeth over time. Prevention is better than reaction.

Final Thoughts

Night guards aren’t just for people with dental anxiety or TMJ issues. They’re for anyone dealing with:

• Nighttime jaw clenching
• Headaches
• Tooth damage
• Poor sleep

Left untreated, bruxism leads to serious dental problems. You could crack a tooth or wear down your enamel to the point where restorations become necessary. That’s expensive and avoidable.

At My STL Dentist, our team crafts custom night guards that fit like a glove. We make the process simple, comfortable, and fast. If you’re searching for a trusted dentist in South County, MO, we’re ready to help.