Key Takeaways
- High-stress jobs can cause people to clench or grind their teeth, often without noticing it.
- A custom night guard saves teeth from pressure, fractures, enamel wear, and jaw pain.
- Store-bought guards rarely fit well enough to stop grinding or protect the jaw.
- Custom guards last longer, feel more comfortable, and help reduce headaches and morning soreness.
- Clove Dental Sherman Oaks creates fully personalized guards designed for long-term comfort and durability.
Do you ever wake up with jaw tightness, headaches, or teeth that feel sore for no clear reason?
The quick answer is that you may be grinding or clenching at night, something many high-stress professionals experience without realizing it.
At Clove Dental Sherman Oaks, we have seen an increase in adults with demanding careers. Many of them work long hours or manage teams. They often experience nighttime teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.
Let’s check why this problem is becoming so common and how a custom solution can make a real difference.
Stress and Grinding: A Hidden Connection
When your mind stays active long after work hours, your body often channels that tension through your jaw. Many professionals in Sherman Oaks grind their teeth during sleep without knowing it. For some, the signs are subtle. For others, the symptoms become impossible to ignore.
Common signs of grinding include:
- Morning headaches
- Jaw stiffness
- Tooth sensitivity
- Flattened or worn teeth
- Cracks or chips
- Waking up feeling tired, not rested
A custom night guard is one of the simplest ways to reduce these symptoms by creating a protective barrier between your teeth.
Why Off-the-Shelf Night Guards Aren’t Enough
Drugstores sell boil-and-bite guards, but most patients tell us they feel bulky, loose, or uncomfortable. That’s because every mouth is shaped differently, and a generic guard can’t match the exact fit of your bite.
Here’s why store-bought guards fall short:
- They often shift during sleep
- They can cause jaw misalignment
- They wear out quickly
- They don’t distribute pressure evenly
- They can worsen grinding in some cases
A custom night guard, on the other hand, is made from a precise mold of your teeth, giving you a secure and comfortable fit that actually protects your enamel and jaw joint.
How a Custom Night Guard Protects Your Teeth
Professionals dealing with high stress often clench harder than they think. Over time, this pressure can damage enamel, weaken teeth, and irritate the jaw joint (TMJ).
A custom night guard helps by:
1. Absorbing Pressure
Instead of your teeth grinding against each other, the guard absorbs the force.
2. Preventing Cracks and Chips
Grinding can create tiny fractures that lead to bigger breaks later. Guards help prevent that.
3. Reducing Jaw Strain
A well-fitted guard keeps your jaw in a more relaxed position while you sleep.
4. Protecting Enamel
Once enamel is gone, it doesn’t grow back. Guards slow down wear.
5. Reducing Headaches
Many tension headaches start from clenching overnight.
This relief is why many patients say they sleep better within a few nights of using a custom night guard.
Why Stress Makes the Problem Worse for Professionals
Sherman Oaks is full of busy professionals, lawyers, managers, creatives, business owners, and healthcare workers, who push through long hours and tight deadlines. Stress affects the body in many ways, but grinding is one of the most common silent effects.
Grinding of teeth normally occurs at night when the mind is relaxed and the jaw is held tight. This is why a custom night guard is not only effective but also necessary in terms of the protection of the mouth in the long run.
Without it, grinding can lead to:
- Premature ageing of the teeth
- Painful TMJ issues
- Broken crowns or fillings
- Tooth sensitivity
- Thinning enamel
- Costly dental work in the future
The sooner grinding is managed, the better the long-term outcome.
What Happens During a Night Guard Appointment?
The process is simple and straightforward.
Step 1: Consultation and Exam
We look at the evidence of grinding, jaw tension or uneven wear.
Step 2: Impressions or Digital Scans
These create a precise model of your teeth.
Step 3: Fabrication of Your Custom Guard
The guard is made using a durable, flexible material that matches your bite.
Step 4: Fit Check
We make sure it feels comfortable, stays in place, and supports your jaw correctly.
Patients appreciate how lightweight a true custom night guard feels compared to store-bought versions.
Why Many Professionals Don’t Realize They Grind
Grinding often happens deep in sleep. You won’t hear it, see it, or feel it happening, but the signs always show up in your teeth, jaw, or mornings.
If you ever think:
- “Why do my teeth feel tired?”
- “Why does my jaw pop?”
- “Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive?”
A custom night guard is likely part of the solution.
We’re Here to Protect Your Smile and Your Rest
At Clove Dental Sherman Oaks, we help busy adults relieve jaw tension, protect their teeth, and sleep better with a custom-made guard designed specifically for their bite. Our goal is to give you real relief, not a temporary fix.
A healthy smile helps you feel confident, comfortable, and focused throughout the day. With a custom night guard, you can prevent damage now and avoid larger issues later.
FAQs
How can I tell if a custom night guard is right for me?
If you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or feel that your teeth are wearing down, you may be grinding or clenching at night. A dentist can confirm this during an exam.
Are custom night guards better than store-bought ones?
Yes. Custom night guards fit your exact bite, stay in place, feel more comfortable, and offer better protection. Store-bought guards are often bulky, do not last as long, and may not protect against grinding very well.
Is teeth grinding harmful to my teeth?
Yes. Grinding over time can harm your teeth. It can cause cracks, wear, gum problems, and broken teeth.
Will a night guard help with my TMJ symptoms?
A custom night guard can help relax your jaw, reduce teeth clenching, and prevent jaw pain. In more serious cases, your dentist might suggest extra treatments.
How long does a custom night guard last?
With proper care, a high-quality custom guard can last several years. Durability depends on how heavily you grind and how well you maintain the guard.
Is the process of getting a custom night guard uncomfortable?
Not at all. The process just includes a quick check-up and either digital scans or impressions of your teeth. Then, the guard is made to fit your mouth perfectly.