Unfortunately, bruxism can't be “cured” by an occlusal guard. Night guards are simply used to mitigate the damage associated with teeth grinding and lessen the condition's painful effects. It's important to protect your teeth against grinding and teeth clenching to avoid long-term effects.

Does a night guard help with clenching?

When you clench your jaw, the night guard for teeth helps to lighten the tension and give cushion to the muscles in the jaw. This cushioning not only helps to prevent face and jaw pain, but also protects the enamel of your teeth.

Can night guards make bruxism worse?

Furthermore, the nature of many night guards allows the posterior teeth to make contact with the guard's plastic while the anterior teeth barely or never do. The night guard's uneven tooth contact can lead to even more clenching, grinding, and TMJ issues.