Can a Night Guard Shift Your Teeth?

Waking up with a sore jaw and a dull headache may be a sign of nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism). Bruxism can severely damage your teeth and cause a number of dental problems.

Fortunately, a night guard can be an excellent option for managing bruxism. However, it does have flaws.

In this article, we’ll explore the link between night guards and shifting teeth.

Can a Night Guard Shift Your Teeth?

Yes, night guards can shift your teeth. This is because night guards can put pressure on your teeth, slowly moving them over time.

If you think your night guard is shifting your teeth, keep a lookout for these signs:

• Tooth pain
• It falls off your teeth
• A sore mouth
• Inability to wear the device without discomfort
• Cuts in your mouth

What Factors Cause Your Teeth to Shift?

There are various factors that can cause night guards to shift your teeth. Aside from the fit of your night guard, these include:

• Material — High-quality materials won’t wear, deteriorate, or warp as easily as cheaper plastics. This reduces the likelihood of teeth shifting.
• Adjustability — Dentists can refine the fit of custom-fitted night guards; meanwhile, OTC night guards can’t be adjusted. Some might even require you to boil the night guard so that it can better mold around your teeth.
• Stability — High-quality night guards can maintain teeth alignment with minimal risks, but poorly made night guards may shift teeth over time.

How to Prevent a Night Guard from Shifting Teeth?

Night guards aren't meant to shift your teeth. They're designed to protect your teeth from damage while you sleep.

If your teeth are shifting, then you should change your night guard. Getting a custom-fitted night guard can help you prevent teeth shifting.

Talk to your dentist; they can make a night guard fitted specifically to your mouth. Inform your dentist if your night guard is too tight or falls off.

What to Do If a Night Guard Shifts Your Teeth?

If your teeth shift while wearing a night guard, contact your dentist immediately. During your visit, your dentist will evaluate your situation. 

If your teeth have shifted, your dentist can tell you what needs to be done and, if necessary, recommend an orthodontist.

Using a custom night guard every night helps keep your teeth protected. It will also help manage or alleviate certain problems related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), particularly those linked to bruxism.

How to Adjust to Night Guards

To get used to your night guard, wear it during the day for short periods. This will help you become consciously used to how it feels and practice breathing while wearing it.

Secondly, it’s best to keep your night guard clean. Brush it with mild liquid hand soap and dry it off to prevent moisture from collecting on it.

Should You Buy Over-The-Counter Night Guards?

Whether you should get OTC night guards depends on your needs. These offer a generic fit that doesn’t precisely match your bite.

Because of this, OTC night guards may have extra space or uneven contact points, creating pressure that may gradually shift your teeth. Additionally, they’re made of softer materials, meaning they’ll wear down faster than custom-fitted ones.

Worn or degraded night guards can also increase the odds of shifting. However, these night guards are more affordable and convenient.