5 Dental Night Guard Side Effects [+ Solutions]

When you have bruxism, the most common solution is a night guard. But sometimes, wearing this oral appliance comes with its own set of issues, like:

1. Teeth and jaw discomfort
2. Soft tissue soreness
3. Shifting teeth
4. Misaligned jaw pain
5. Infections, bacteria, and bad breath

In this article, we’ll explain these top 5 dental night guard side effects and their solutions so wearing yours stays the beneficial step it’s supposed to be.

Side Effect 1: Teeth and Jaw Discomfort

If you’re wearing a night guard to minimize bruxism and TMJ pain, it’s more than frustrating when the problem gets worse before it gets better. However, adjusting to any new oral appliance can mean dealing with mild, short-term discomfort initially, even with a custom night guard. 

Misalignment of your teeth and jaw due to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can affect your bite and lead to symptoms like jaw and neck pain. But TMJ and teeth grinding often go hand-in-hand, so it’s common to have a night guard as part of your recommended treatment.

Over time, you’ll get used to wearing this protective appliance, and the discomfort should lessen as long as you wear the night guard consistently. If your jaw pain or bite changes noticeably, check in with your dentist as soon as possible.

Teeth and Jaw Discomfort Solution

Correcting these types of problems involves shifting the alignment of your teeth and jaw to a more natural spacing. The downside of this “fix” is that as your dental treatment realigns your jaw and teeth, the night guard may no longer fit your newly shifted mouth spacing. 

When that happens, you’ll notice the appliance that once slid perfectly over your upper or lower arch now needs a little extra pressure. That’s a warning sign that you may need your night guard refitted.

Before you jump to this step, though, let your dentist know about your concerns. They can examine your bite to see if the discomfort is temporary or if you should invest in a new guard. 

Side Effect 2: Soft Tissue Soreness

Does the inside of your mouth hurt when you wear your night guard? The soft inner tissues are sensitive; this discomfort can be a side effect of using your new splint. But it’s not the fault of the dental appliance itself. It’s often the result of using store-bought night guards.

When it comes to dental issues, you don’t want to hire a heart specialist. In the same way, you wouldn’t want to rely on dental products that haven’t been designed with real dentistry expertise behind them. 

Many OTC night guards, such as boil-and-bite versions, are sold with limited safety or usage information and without professional guidance. The problem with cutting corners like this is that what you’re getting isn’t tailored to your unique oral health needs. It’s a one-size-fits-most alternative that can increase the risk of side effects, such as soft tissue soreness. 

When your dentist or an actual oral appliance provider doesn’t fit your orthodontic appliance to you, it can press into the sensitive areas in your mouth. This poor fit may cause:

• Pain
• Pressure
• Swollen or bleeding gums

Soft Tissue Soreness Solution

Giving up on using a night guard isn’t the answer.

Instead, if you still want to avoid a full orthodontic workup, skip the over-the-counter route. Get a custom-fit night guard through a professional company like JS Dental Lab. 

Custom guards are made from an impression of your teeth, so it’s much more likely that you’ll have the perfect fit. And if it isn’t just right the first time, we at JS Dental Lab provide free adjustments or a replacement.

How It Works

Side Effect 3: Shifting Teeth

When your teeth shift from wearing a dental protector, it can cause pain in your jaw muscles. Instead of reducing facial pain, migraines, and other problems, shifting can worsen teeth and cause side effects such as sensitivity and bleeding gums.

Certain ill-fitting night guards can place uneven pressure on your teeth, causing unwanted movement in your mouth and shifting your alignment. The movement is particularly damaging if you have dental restorations, as the changes in your teeth can harm crowns, fillings, and dental implants. 

But a night guard with the proper fit is not designed to move your teeth as braces would. High-quality, custom-made night guards should fit comfortably over your upper and lower teeth just as they are. Your clenching and grinding can’t cause tooth damage because of the acrylic or other appliance material.

Shifting Teeth Solution

If you notice your teeth shifting after consistently wearing your night guard, don’t ignore the signs. Check with your dentist or night guard provider to see whether your current dental protector needs adjustment. 

However, there are many other reasons our teeth shift, including age, hormonal changes, and lifestyle habits. Your doctor can help you pinpoint the cause of your alignment changes and discuss a treatment plan to minimize movement.

Learn More: 8 Signs Your Teeth Are Shifting

Side Effect 4: Misaligned Jaw Pain

When your jaw is misaligned, the pain can be intense. Treatment to correct this problem can involve using oral appliances called splints designed to guide your jaw into a healthier position. 

But while you’re working toward that fix, teeth grinding is a common secondary issue. 

Night guards can work with these corrective appliances to protect your teeth while you sleep. However, if the guard or splint doesn’t fit correctly, you might notice that those existing jaw problems are aggravated instead of healed.

Occasionally, a misalignment or a change in bite can develop during treatment. When it does, your dental provider can help you determine which appliance is causing the problem.

For example, if your night guard is causing the posterior (back) teeth to touch the plastic while the anterior (front) teeth don’t, it’s an uneven fit. This may even lead to an increase in symptoms.

Misaligned Jaw Solution

If your dental protector seems to be throwing off your bite, it might mean the guard you’re using isn’t the correct fit. Opt for a custom-made device, or talk to your provider about switching to a softer or harder night guard. 

When designed correctly, custom-fit night guards are less likely to contribute to misalignment of the upper or lower jaw than store-bought versions. If you have a misaligned jaw and want to use a night guard to protect your teeth, be sure to work with a professional to be fitted for a custom-made guard and schedule follow-up visits to monitor changes in your bite over time. 

Side Effect 5: Infections, Bacteria, and Bad Breath

Whenever you put anything in your mouth, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s clean, especially if you’re going to keep it there for 6-8 hours, like your night guard.

Yet, many people don’t sanitize their dental appliances before wearing them. This lack of regular hygiene can lead to infections, bacterial growth, and bad breath, as well as damage to your overall oral health. 

If this is your issue, there are some telltale signs:

• A foul odor or taste when you put your night guard in your mouth
• Yellow or white tartar buildup
• Cloudiness of the plastic
• Staining that doesn’t go away, even with deep cleaning

Another downside of unclean night guards is that they have a shorter lifespan. As buildup accrues, the acrylic, plastics, and other materials degrade. This is especially true with over-the-counter dental protectors. Because they are made of subpar materials compared to professional thermoplastics, you have to replace them more often. 

Poor Hygiene Solutions 

Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this night guard problem that will keep your appliance in good shape and help it last longer: cleaning your night guard helps with bad breath and prevents infections. It also deters the breakdown of the appliance’s material. 

Keep Reading: How to Clean Your Night Guard Naturally

The Link Between Bruxism and Night Guards 

Medical providers or dentists diagnose people who grind and clench their teeth and jaw as having bruxism. This can happen during the day (awake bruxism), but it’s more commonly seen in sleep.

Teeth grinders unconsciously move their jaw back and forth and clench for long periods, keeping it and their teeth in one position. This long-term movement overworks the jaw muscles and grinds down the enamel on the teeth, causing significant problems if it isn’t addressed early.

Occasional grinding doesn’t necessarily mean you have bruxism. But if you are chronically clenching or grinding your teeth when you’re stressed or sleeping, the effects will be felt and eventually visible, leading to structural problems, decay, and sensitivity.

That’s where night guards come into play for many bruxers.

Reducing the Symptoms of Bruxism

One of the most common treatment options to reduce the symptoms of bruxism is a night guard. It’s a tray-like dental appliance that slides over your upper or lower teeth to keep the two arches from touching and, for bruxers, grinding. 

Also called an occlusal guard or splint (or a bite splint), it is, in essence, a form of protection for your teeth while you’re trying to solve the cause of your grinding. Night guards don’t stop the movement — they prevent the grinding and clenching from causing more harm to your dental health. 

Choosing the right night guard depends on the reason for your grinding and its severity. 

Some causes of bruxism, such as temporomandibular joint disorders and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored by a specialist, as they are medical conditions. Your doctor may suggest using a specific type of occlusal guard to address the problem, rather than focusing on protective measures like a dental night guard.

Mild bruxism or those with a sensitive palate may benefit from soft night guards, while more moderate to severe grinding requires a hard or hybrid (dual-laminate) night guard. Talk to your night guard professional to find out which material is best for you.

Recap

Whether you already have a night guard or are considering one, knowing what to expect (including potential side effects) can help improve your experience. An over-the-counter appliance might seem like the cheapest solution, but the increased tooth sensitivity and other side effects aren’t worth the risk. However, the pricey office visits and hefty cost of a dentist’s night guard might not be in your budget.

With JS Dental Lab, you can skip the expensive dental visits and still get a professional-quality, custom-fit night guard. Our appliances are easy to order by mail and tailor-made for you. Reduce the side effects of your current night guard or avoid them entirely with a night guard that is designed to fit all the nooks and crannies of your smile.

Shop Our Night Guards!