If you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or sensitive teeth, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night without realizing it. Over time, this habit — known as bruxism — can wear down, chip, and damage your teeth. At CalSmile Family Dental in San Jose, Dr. Lubna Azeem creates custom night guards that cushion and protect your teeth while you sleep, helping you prevent damage and wake up more comfortable.
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding, gnashing, or clenching of teeth, often during sleep. Because it happens while you're asleep, many people don't know they do it until a partner notices the sound or a dentist spots the telltale wear. Left unaddressed, the forces involved can be surprisingly destructive to your teeth and jaw over time.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
Common signs of nighttime grinding include:
- Worn, flattened, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Jaw pain, tightness, or soreness, especially in the morning
- Frequent headaches, often starting at the temples
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Earaches without an ear problem
- A clicking or sore jaw joint
- Disrupted sleep (yours or your partner's)
- Indentations on the tongue or a sore cheek lining
If any of these sound familiar, an exam can confirm whether grinding is the cause and whether a night guard would help.
How a Night Guard Helps
A night guard is a custom-made oral appliance worn over your teeth while you sleep. It works by:
- Cushioning your teeth so they don't grind directly against each other
- Protecting against wear, chips, and cracks
- Reducing strain on your jaw muscles and joints
- Easing symptoms like morning headaches and jaw soreness
- Protecting existing dental work, like crowns, veneers, and fillings
By absorbing and redistributing the forces of grinding, a night guard helps preserve your teeth and keep you more comfortable.
Why Choose a Custom Night Guard?
You can buy generic, boil-and-bite guards at the store, but a custom night guard made by your dentist offers important advantages:
- Precise fit molded to your teeth for comfort and stability
- Better protection from a guard designed for your bite
- Durability that outlasts most over-the-counter options
- Comfort that makes you far more likely to actually wear it
Because a guard only helps if you wear it, comfort and fit really matter — and that's where a custom guard shines.
What to Expect
Getting a custom night guard is simple and comfortable:
- Evaluation. Dr. Azeem examines your teeth for signs of grinding and discusses your symptoms.
- Impressions. We take impressions or a digital scan of your teeth so your guard fits precisely.
- Fitting. Once your custom guard is ready, we check the fit and make any adjustments for comfort.
- Guidance. We show you how to wear, clean, and store your guard to keep it in good shape.
Caring for Your Night Guard
A little care keeps your guard fresh and effective: rinse it after each use, clean it regularly as directed, store it in its case when not in use, keep it away from heat that could warp it, and bring it to your dental visits so we can check its condition and fit. With proper care, a quality custom guard can last for years.
Why Patients Choose CalSmile Family Dental
Led by Dr. Lubna Azeem, CalSmile Family Dental provides gentle, personalized care in a comfortable, unhurried setting. Patients across San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and Mountain View trust us for thoughtful, practical solutions and clear guidance. We exceed strict OSHA sterilization standards and focus on protecting your long-term oral health.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Common clues include morning jaw soreness, frequent headaches, tooth sensitivity, and worn or chipped teeth. A partner may also hear the grinding. During an exam, we can spot the characteristic wear patterns that grinding leaves.
Is a custom night guard better than a store-bought one?
Yes. A custom guard is molded to your teeth for a precise, comfortable fit and offers better protection and durability than generic boil-and-bite options. A comfortable guard is also one you're more likely to wear consistently.
Will wearing a night guard stop me from grinding?
A night guard doesn't necessarily stop the grinding itself, but it protects your teeth from the damage grinding causes and reduces strain on your jaw, easing symptoms like soreness and headaches.
How long does a night guard last?
With proper care, a quality custom night guard can last for years. We'll check its condition at your regular visits and let you know when it's time for a replacement.
Can teeth grinding cause permanent damage?
Over time, untreated grinding can wear down, chip, and crack teeth and damage existing dental work, sometimes requiring restorative treatment. Protecting your teeth early with a night guard helps prevent this.
Protect Your Smile in San Jose
Think you might be grinding your teeth? Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lubna Azeem at CalSmile Family Dental.
CalSmile Family Dental
5150 Graves Ave, Ste 11F, San Jose, CA 95129 Phone: (408) 930-5238
Related services: General Dentistry · Dental Crowns · Dental Exam and Teeth Cleaning