Can You Use a Cracked Night Guard?

Did you know that when you grind your teeth in your sleep, your bite force is a whopping 162 psi (pounds per square inch)? This might not sound like much compared to, for example, the 19,000 psi of an orca. But your bruxing pressure mimics how an American bulldog tears into a juicy steak — with nothing between your upper and lower teeth to cushion the force.

That’s why night guards are crucial to treating bruxism, or teeth grinding. These tiny pieces of thermoplastic material deflect the pressure from your teeth into the guard. With that much force, it’s not surprising that your night guard, no matter how well-fabricated, may occasionally crack.

When that happens, you may be tempted to keep using it rather than deal with the morning headaches, tight jaw, and other symptoms of bruxism — at least until you can get a replacement.

Is this short-term measure okay, or could you be doing more harm than good?

In this article, we’ll “crack down” on whether or not you should use a cracked night guard.

Breaking Down the Question: Is Your Night Guard Just Damaged, or Forever Cracked?

The answer depends: is it cracked beyond repair, or just a little messed up?

No matter how well-designed your occlusal guard or oral splint (fancy words for night guard) is, the device isn’t designed to last forever.

If you use yours consistently (as is recommended), you’re grinding away at it for 6-8 hours every night. And if your grinding is more than mild, wear and tear will probably happen sooner rather than later. Cracks in your well-used dental appliance might indicate it’s time for a new oral splint.

Examples of Minor Damage And How to Correct Them

Any crack in your night guard can mean it doesn’t do its job as it should. But there are two types of cracks:

• Minor damage that can be temporarily covered
• Permanent destruction

Using yours when the problems are minor, at least until you can get a replacement, shouldn’t be a big deal.

Minor damage in night guards is defined as anything that doesn’t make it defective. It can still be used; it’s just not as well-crafted as it started. You may feel a few rough or sharp edges that weren’t there originally. The device still fits, but it isn’t quite as comfortable.

This type of minor damage can also include small cracks if you can fix them with dental-safe adhesive before they split further. Keep in mind that although you’ve covered them, these small cracks and nicks have made your night guard less stable. It won’t take much more grinding to cause another break that is potentially permanent.

The Dangers of Using a Broken Night Guard

When your night guard is cracked beyond the common sharp edges and minor splits, but it still fits over your teeth, can you continue to wear it?

In this case, the cons of the broken guard outweigh the pros of having a layer of bruxing protection.

Examples of Permanent Damage

Minor fixes are night guards that are still easily usable with a little TLC. Wearing permanently damaged appliances can significantly harm your teeth and gums — a consequence that isn’t only painful, but could cost you far more to fix than replacing your night guard.

What does permanent damage look like? Here’s a list of the most commonly seen red flag night guard problems:

• Large cracks, tears, or splits: Even dental adhesive (and all of the king’s horses and men) couldn’t put this night guard back together again. It’s time for a replacement.
• Deep cracks: Cracks that reach the inner layer of the night guard reduce its structural integrity. When that happens, your teeth aren’t protected from grinding and clenching, the cracks can irritate your soft tissue, and you may end up with jaw and bite issues. More urgently, the pieces can become choking hazards.
• Missing/broken parts: If your night guard is designed with multiple pieces and any of these structures are missing or broken, it will lead to uneven pressure over your teeth. The tiny fissures left behind from the missing pieces are also the perfect haven for bacteria — an oral hygiene nightmare.
• Wear-and-tear: Regular wear-and-tear that has worn down the material weakens your protection, turning your gentle grind back into a steak-biting chomp.
• Warped material: When your night guard is warped, it doesn’t fit your teeth the way it’s designed to. This means your teeth aren’t protected correctly, which can lead to jaw misalignment and shifted teeth.

Keep Reading: How Often Should I Replace My Nightguard?

What Can Happen When You Use a Broken Night Guard?

We get it. You know the difference between using your night guard consistently and just one night without it.

You may be thinking that it’s better to use your broken appliance while you wait for your new one. Better part protection than none, right?

Eh, not so fast.

Why No Night Guard is Better Than a Broken One

Sleeping well requires comfort without any distractions. Your broken night guard fits differently, removing that layer of comfort that makes it so beneficial. Instead of a relaxing night of sleep, you’ll likely experience more pain as your soft tissue and facial muscles adjust to this new, ill-fitting device.

What about protection from grinding?

If the night guard isn’t covering your teeth as it should, they won’t be protected anyway — with or without the appliance. While some of your teeth may be shielded from your bruxism actions, the side effects of shifting teeth, sore gums, and increased pain aren’t worth the minimal protection. And if the guard breaks more, it could lead to sharp edges that cut your soft tissue.

Caring For Your Oral Health Means Saying No to Broken Night Guards

Worried about your oral health?

Yes, untreated bruxism is dangerous to your teeth and gums, but so is a broken night guard. The cracks in the device provide a perfect breeding ground for microbes, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues.

Then there’s the concern of microplastics. Once the device is degraded, you’re exposed to them at unsafe levels.

If that’s not enough to get you to toss that broken night guard in the trash, consider the cost of using it. Any existing dental work you’ve had done is at risk. Paying for your crowns and fillings the first time was costly and painful enough; you don’t want to do it again because your night guard broke.

When It’s Time to Get a New Night Guard

A night guard’s lifespan isn’t forever. It depends on:

• The type of night guard (Over-the-counter guards quickly degrade, while higher-quality materials last longer.)
• Your bruxism style (Severe bruxers wear down material faster.)
• How often you wear your night guard
• How well you care for it

Generally, mild bruxers who properly care for the appliance can get 3-5 years of use from their higher-quality night guard. Severe bruxers tend to need to replace theirs every 1-2 years.

But if your night guard is soft (made of silicone or similar materials), or your bruxing falls in the range of “excessive force,” you’re looking at a lifespan of 6-12 months, even for a hard night guard.

Keep in mind that the projected lifespan of a dental night guard depends on the thermoplastics it contains. When each device is fabricated, from silicone to acrylic, it is safe for use. However, daily exposure to mechanical grinding and clenching, saliva, and temperature changes will gradually lead to the degradation of the night guard, causing it to release microplastics.

No matter how well-designed your device is, it needs to be replaced regularly to ensure it stays effective and safe.

Aside from monitoring how long you’ve had your particular mouth guard, there are a few telltale signs that shout, “Time for a new one!”:

• Substantial cracks or holes in the material
• No longer feeling comfortable — It could be too loose or too tight, which impacts functionality.
• Changes in your teeth — You’ve suspected or noticed they’ve shifted, which happens as we age, or you’ve had orthodontic treatment. (See: Why Do Teeth Shift With Age? (And What Can I Do About It?))
• Recent dentistry work, such as tooth extraction, dental crown, veneer, or dental implants

If none of those apply to you, but you’re still unsure whether you truly need a new night guard, there’s one final check: How does it smell?

Yes, odor matters. Since your night guard is exposed to saliva and bacteria for 6-8 hours a day, it must be cleaned regularly. Even with this consistent care, though, discoloration and odors happen. Give your night guard a good sniff (it’s only been in your mouth, after all). If it still smells iffy after consistent cleaning, it’s a good sign that it’s on the downward slope and needs to be replaced before further damage occurs.

Does Your Night Guard Have a Warranty?

Before you invest in a new custom-made night guard, check the warranty. You might be pleasantly surprised! Depending on where you got your appliance, it’s possible that you can replace your current one with a brand-new device.

For instance, we at JS Dental Lab promise hand-crafted guards with a 12-month warranty and guarantee, or your money back. Our high-quality, professional, custom-fit night guards are shipped free of charge. If you’re not fully satisfied for any reason, you have 365 days to return the product. Night guards that don’t fit properly are adjusted at no additional cost. If you’ve had dental work, you’ll need a new impression, and you can get a replacement guard at a discounted rate.

Conclusion

Caring for your dental health means paying attention to all the little details: replacing your toothbrush every three months, check-ups with your dentist, avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and regularly inspecting your night guard for signs of wear and tear.

When it’s time to replace your oral splint, contact our helpful, friendly professionals at JS Dental Lab. From convenient ordering and checkout to fast and free home delivery, we have you covered so you don’t have to deal with jaw pain and other side effects of a damaged or cracked night guard.