Your teeth can sometimes throb or ache after putting on a night guard, a device designed to protect, but the pain can be confusing. This unexpected discomfort turns a simple bedtime habit into a nightly challenge. Under the night guard’s protective layer, your teeth and jaw work together in a delicate balance while you sleep. If you feel pain after sleeping with your night guard on, something is not working right. This situation points toward multiple issues.
Here are some common reasons why your teeth might hurt after wearing a night guard:
1. Improper Fit Causing Uneven Pressure
If a night guard doesn’t fit well, it can put too much pressure on certain teeth or rub against your gums and other soft parts of your mouth. This uneven fit can make some teeth, often the front ones, take more force than they should. It can also irritate your gums, causing soreness or swelling.
A poor fit may even change how your teeth come together, leading to discomfort. Having a dentist fit or adjust your night guard is important to ease the pressure and stop ongoing irritation or pain.
2. Hard or Rigid Materials
Night guards made from hard, stiff materials can push too much on certain teeth, especially the front ones. These guards don’t move with your jaw during sleep and can concentrate pressure in small areas. Without enough cushioning, this can make teeth feel sore or sensitive.
Softer or mixed-material guards that combine firmness with flexibility are often more comfortable. If you think the hardness of your guard is causing pain, ask your dentist about other material options.
3. Changes in Jaw Alignment or Bite
Wearing a night guard can slightly change the way your top and bottom teeth meet, which may affect jaw alignment. This can lead to muscle strain or uneven pressure on your teeth, causing soreness in both teeth and jaw muscles.
This is common when you first start using a guard, as your jaw needs time to adjust. The discomfort often improves over time, but if your bite changes too much or jaw pain gets worse, your dentist should check the fit.
4. Sensitivity from Existing Dental Problems
If you already have dental issues, like cavities, gum recession, or damaged teeth, a night guard can make your teeth more sensitive. These problems can expose the softer parts of the tooth, making them more sensitive to pressure and temperature.
Wearing a guard can increase discomfort in those areas. It’s best to treat any dental problems before or while using a guard, and let your dentist know if sensitivity increases so they can help manage it.
5. Adjustment Period Causing Temporary Soreness
When you first start using a night guard, your teeth, gums, and jaw muscles need time to get used to it. This can cause mild soreness for a few days or weeks.
This is normal and usually goes away once your mouth adapts. Keep using the guard regularly, maintain good oral hygiene, and tell your dentist if the soreness doesn’t improve.
Key Takeaway
In short, tooth pain from a night guard is often caused by the reasons mentioned earlier. Visiting your dentist quickly can fix the problem so your night guard can serve its real purpose of protecting your teeth and supporting long-term oral health.
Dealing with bruxism? Visit our dental professionals at Next Care Dental Houston for a customized night guard. Call us at (713) 952-0522 to book an appointment.
