Your dentist has recommended a night guard — an appliance you wear while you sleep to protect your teeth from grinding. You've heard mixed things about them. Here's what they actually do and whether they're worth it.

A night guard is a custom-fitted dental appliance made from hard or soft plastic. You wear it over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep. It's not a cure for grinding — nothing stops grinding completely — but it changes what happens when you do grind.

What Does a Night Guard Actually Do?

When you grind without a guard, your teeth wear against each other. Tooth enamel grinds down, fillings crack, teeth fracture, and pressure travels into your jaw joint. With a guard, your teeth meet the plastic instead of each other. The plastic absorbs and distributes the force. Your jaw muscles can also relax more easily because the guard slightly changes your bite position.

A proper custom night guard from your dentist is nothing like the cheap boil-and-bite guards from a pharmacy. Those are bulky, ill-fitting, and often make grinding worse. A custom guard is precisely moulded to your teeth, comfortable to wear, and designed to last years.

What Are the Real Benefits?

Protection. If you have large fillings, crowns, veneers, or composite bonding, a night guard protects that investment. It prevents teeth from wearing down and cracking. Many patients report waking up with less jaw pain, fewer headaches, and better sleep. Some find their partner sleeps better too — the noise of grinding is muffled.

A well-made night guard can also diagnose. If your guard shows signs of wear in specific areas, your dentist can see exactly where your bite is under stress and address it.

Are There Any Downsides?

Some people find them uncomfortable for the first week or two. Most adjust quickly. You need to clean it daily. You'll need to replace it eventually — typically every 3-5 years, depending on how heavily you grind. It's a long-term commitment, not a quick fix.

Is It Worth It?

If you grind your teeth and your dentist has recommended a night guard, it is almost always worth it. The cost of repairing a cracked tooth — crown, root canal, or extraction — far exceeds the cost of a night guard. It protects your natural teeth, your existing dental work, and your jaw joint.

Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com Meads Village Dental Practice