Dental Night Guard Side Effects: The Facts and Myths

Most dental night guard side effects are minor inconveniences or adjustment hiccups that fade with time or proper fit corrections.

image1 3 Dental Night Guard Side Effects: The Facts and Myths

Night guards are a proven way to protect your teeth from grinding, a condition known as bruxism. About 8% of adults suffer from bruxism regularly, and many more on occasion.

To protect your teeth and alleviate jaw strain, virtually all dentists recommend getting a night guard. However, some new users experience certain dental night guard side effects or hear alarming myths that make them never want to try wearing one.

But we’re here to help teach you what’s normal, what isn’t, and how to get your night guard to be as comfortable and beneficial as possible.

Common Dental Night Guard Side Effects

For most people, any side effects of wearing a night guard are minor and short-lived. After all, it takes a little time for your mouth to get used to having a foreign object in place during sleep, but with that said, certain issues can pop up, especially if the night guard doesn’t fit quite right.

Here are some of the most commonly reported dental night guard side effects and how they typically present.

Side Effect Cause Duration Solution
Initial Discomfort or Soreness Mouth adjusting to a new appliance. Lasts a few days to 2 weeks. Persistent soreness may need a fit adjustment.
Excess Saliva or Dry Mouth Body reacting to a foreign object in the mouth. Resolves in a few nights. Manage dry mouth with hydration or a humidifier.
Gag Reflex Guard is too bulky or extends too far back. Most people adapt over time. Can’t adapt? Try a thinner or smaller guard.
Pressure Spots or Poor Fit Pain Guard is too tight or misshapen. Stop use if you have persistent pain. Have it adjusted or replaced.
Teeth Shifting or Bite Changes Uneven pressure from an ill-fitting guard. Stop use if your teeth shift. Custom guards prevent this.
Jaw Pain or TMJ Soreness Improper guard design or thickness. Stop use. Try a thinner night guard.
Allergic Reactions (Uncommon) Allergy to materials like latex or acrylic. Stop use. Switch to a hypoallergenic guard if needed.

As you can see, some side effects are related to the fit and initial adjustment period. Things like minor discomfort or drooling are typically transient and resolve as you get used to the device. The more problematic issues, like significant pain, shifting teeth, or jaw problems, are usually signs that something is wrong with the guard’s fit or design, to which you’ll probably need to get a better-fitting guard, rather than just enduring the discomfort.

Debunking Myths About Dental Night Guard Side Effects

There’s a lot of information floating around about night guards, and not all of it is accurate.

Myth Fact
“Wearing a night guard will make your teeth loose or shift out of alignment.” A properly fitted night guard will not loosen or shift your teeth. Only ill-fitting, poor-quality guards may cause uneven pressure, potentially leading to minor movement. A custom-fitted guard makes it so that force is evenly distributed, which in turn helps prevent bite changes.
“Night guards cause TMJ problems or jaw pain.” Night guards are often recommended for TMJ relief. Problems only arise when the guard is the wrong type or poorly fitted, which can affect your bite. The right style, material, and fit can actually ease jaw tension and protect the TMJ.
“If a night guard is uncomfortable or painful, you just have to tough it out.” Discomfort should be temporary. Persistent pain signals a poor fit or the wrong guard type. Don’t ignore ongoing soreness and either have it adjusted or replaced. A well-fitted night guard should feel comfortable after a short adjustment period of maybe 2ish weeks.

Many “side effects” or horror stories you hear about dental night guard side effects are actually cases of someone using a suboptimal guard. When you use a high-quality custom guard, the risks of serious side effects are extremely low.

How to Minimize Side Effects and Improve Comfort

The good news is that most dental night guard side effects can be prevented or easily managed.

Tip 1: Get a Custom-Fit Guard

Whenever possible, opt for a professionally made custom night guard instead of a basic store-bought one, because custom guards vs OTC ones makes a big difference. A guard tailored to your exact dental impressions will fit much more comfortably and won’t create the pressure points that generic guards can.

You can order a custom night guard directly from a dental lab or through your dentist to make sure you get a precise fit.

And yes, custom guards cost more than over-the-counter versions, but they dramatically reduce the likelihood of issues like tooth shifting and pain. In the long run, a custom appliance is worth it for the comfort and protection it provides.

Tip 2: Wear for a Few Hours a Night to Begin With

Don’t feel you have to immediately wear your night guard for 8 hours on the first night. A great way to adapt is to gradually increase wear time.

Try wearing it for an hour or two before bed at first, so your mouth acclimates while you’re still awake. Then wear it for a partial night, and eventually for the whole night. Many people find that after a week or two of gradual adaptation, they can sleep through the night with the guard comfortably in place.

Tip 3: Practice Good Hygiene

A dirty guard can lead to gum irritation and bad breath. To keep your night guard clean, rinse and gently brush your night guard with a soft toothbrush after each use, and let it dry completely before storing to prevent bacteria buildup and funkiness.

Also, always store your guard in a ventilated case since a moist and closed environment is a breeding ground for germs.

Tip 4: Address Problems Early

Pay attention to what your mouth is telling you. If you experience persistent pain, significant bite changes, or anything that just feels very “off”, don’t ignore it.

Bottom Line

Night guards are extremely useful devices for protecting your teeth and jaw from the effects of grinding. Most dental night guard side effects are minor inconveniences or adjustment hiccups that fade with time or proper fit corrections. The serious-sounding problems are largely avoidable by using a high-quality, custom-fitted guard, so don’t let the myths or initial discomfort scare you away; millions of people wear night guards every night and do not experience lasting negative effects.

Protect your smile the smart way. Get a high-quality custom-fit night guard from Dental Lab Direct and enjoy professional quality without the dental office markup. Comfortable, effective, and delivered straight to your door, because a good night’s sleep shouldn’t come with jaw pain.