Can a Night Guard Move Your Teeth?

What is a Night Guard?

A dental night guard is an overnight mouth guard — a thin oral appliance, similar to a retainer, that covers the biting surface of your teeth.

You wear it while you sleep to prevent heavy forces on the teeth from grinding and jaw clenching, a condition known as bruxism.

Bruxism affects about 10 percent of people and upwards of 15 percent of children. People tend to grind their teeth and clench their jaws when they’re experiencing stress or coping with anxiety. Doing so can wear down your teeth, ruin tooth enamel, increase tooth sensitivity, and cause jaw pain.

While toothaches, mouth soreness, and pain in the jaw muscles may be manageable, bruxism can have significant side effects and impact how you chew, eat, and speak. By wearing a night guard, you can prevent serious damage. 

Types of Night Guards

There are different types of night guards from which to choose.

• Over-The-Counter Mouth guards — Over-the-counter mouth guards are general mouth guards that you can pick up at the pharmacy without a prescription. These are “one-size-fits-all” options that are low cost but are not necessarily the most comfortable mouth guards. 
• Custom Night Guard for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) — A custom night guard for bruxism is specifically designed to fit your mouth and help prevent you from grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. Your dentist will design one for you based on your specific jaw position and overall needs.
• Night Guard for Sleep Apnea — Research suggests a correlation between sleep apnea (which is characterized by abnormal breathing during sleep) and bruxism. Wearing a night guard creates a narrow passage between the jaws that can boost airflow, enhance breathing, and help relieve sleep apnea symptoms.

Can a Night Guard Shift Your Teeth?

A night guard can shift your teeth. This is because night guards may put pressure on your teeth and slowly but surely move them over time. However, you can prevent this from happening by getting a custom night guard made just for you.

While over-the-counter night guards may not fit snugly in your mouth, a properly made custom-made night guard will not shift your teeth.

Tips: How to Adjust to Night Guards

Here are some tips for getting used to your night guard:

• If you can, get a night guard that’s customized to you. A custom-fit will sit more comfortably in your mouth than an over-the-counter mouth guard. This will make it easier to wear.
• Wear your night guard during the day for short periods so that you can become consciously used to the way it feels. Doing this will also help you practice breathing while wearing your night guard.
• Keep your night guard clean. Brush your night guard with mild liquid hand soap. This will help you feel more comfortable and sanitary while adjusting to your night guard. You should do this anyway to upkeep your oral health. After brushing, dry off the night guard to prevent any moisture collection, which can lead to smelly buildup on the guard.

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