Can a night guard help with TMJ pain?

Often, yes. Reducing overnight clenching takes load off the jaw joint, and many patients experience less morning pain and stiffness. Full relief depends on the underlying cause, which is determined at an evaluation.

How do I clean a night guard?

Rinse with cool water and brush gently with a soft toothbrush each morning, without toothpaste. Never use hot water, which can warp the guard. Store it dry in its case.

Do dental benefits cover a custom night guard?

Many dental plans cover night guards partially or fully when grinding damage is documented, but coverage varies by plan. Benefits are verified and costs explained before the guard is made.

Comfort & Emergency Care

Night Guards & Teeth Grinding Treatment in Mundelein, IL — Protect Your Smile While You Sleep

Q: How long does a custom night guard last?

Typically several years, depending on grinding intensity, since the guard absorbs the wear instead of the teeth. The guard’s condition is checked at regular dental visits.

Q: Is it uncomfortable to sleep with a night guard?

A custom night guard takes a few nights of adjustment, after which most patients stop noticing it. Because it is made from a precise scan of the patient’s teeth, it is slimmer and more secure than store-bought guards.

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The short version

A night guard is a custom-fitted appliance worn while you sleep that shields your teeth from grinding and clenching — protecting enamel, easing strained jaw muscles, and preventing the cracked teeth and worn-down smiles that bruxism quietly causes. At Markiewicz Dental in Mundelein, IL, we make night guards from a precise scan of your teeth, so they’re slim, comfortable, and actually get worn.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is one of the most common — and most overlooked — dental problems, because most of it happens during sleep. Many people grind for years without knowing it, waking with sore jaws, headaches, or neck pain they never connect to their teeth, while the damage accumulates one night at a time.

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How Do I Know If I Grind My Teeth?

Since grinding happens while you sleep, the evidence shows up in the morning and in your mouth:

We also spot bruxism during routine exams — wear patterns on teeth tell the story even when you have no symptoms at all. It’s one more reason regular checkups earn their keep.

Waking with jaw soreness, headaches, or earaches
Teeth that look flattened, chipped, or worn down
Increased tooth sensitivity
Tight or tired jaw muscles, especially in the morning
Indentations along the sides of your tongue
A partner who hears grinding at night

What Does Grinding Do to Your Teeth?

Clenching and grinding put enormous force on teeth — far more than normal chewing — night after night. Over time that force wears down enamel, flattens biting surfaces, chips edges, and strains the jaw joint. Left unchecked, it cracks teeth outright, turning a preventable problem into crowns, root canals, or extractions. The math is simple: a night guard is the cheapest dental work you’ll ever buy, because it’s the work you won’t need later.

Why a Custom Night Guard Beats a Store-Bought One

The drugstore boil-and-bite guards fail for a predictable reason: they’re bulky, they fit loosely, and they’re uncomfortable enough that most people quit wearing them within weeks — and a night guard in a drawer protects nothing. A custom guard is made from a precise scan of your teeth, producing a slim appliance that fits like it belongs there. It stays put, it’s easy to sleep in, and because you’ll actually wear it consistently, it actually does its job. It also lasts years longer than the drugstore version.

Grinding, Jaw Pain, and TMJ

Chronic grinding is closely linked to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders — pain, clicking, popping, or limited movement in the jaw joint. A night guard often relieves TMJ symptoms by reducing the clenching forces loading the joint overnight. If your jaw clicks, pops, locks, or hurts when you open wide, mention it at your visit: a guard may be part of the answer, and if your symptoms point to something more, our evaluation goes deeper than a guard alone.

What If Grinding Has Already Damaged My Teeth?

Then we solve both problems in the right order. Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth can be restored — from tooth-colored bonding for small chips to crowns for teeth that have lost significant structure — and your night guard protects the investment from the same forces that caused the damage. Restoring without protecting just schedules the next repair; we’ll map out both parts at your evaluation.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guards

How do I know if I need a night guard?

The strongest signs are morning jaw soreness or headaches, visibly worn or flattened teeth, and a partner who hears you grinding. But plenty of grinders have no symptoms they’ve noticed — the wear patterns we see at your exam are often the first evidence. If you suspect grinding, an evaluation settles it quickly.

How long does a custom night guard last?

Typically several years, depending on how heavily you grind — the guard absorbs the wear so your teeth don’t, and heavy grinders wear through them faster. We check yours at regular visits and let you know when it’s time for a replacement. Store-bought guards, by comparison, often need replacing within months.

Is it uncomfortable to sleep with a night guard?

A custom guard takes a few nights to get used to, and then most patients stop noticing it — that’s the whole advantage of an appliance made from your exact teeth. If a guard ever feels bulky, loose, or awkward, tell us; fit is adjustable, and comfort is what keeps it on your teeth instead of your nightstand.

Can a night guard fix TMJ pain?

It often helps significantly — reducing overnight clenching takes real load off the joint, and many patients wake with noticeably less pain and stiffness. Whether it fully resolves symptoms depends on what’s driving them; jaw pain has several possible causes, which is why we evaluate rather than assume. If you need more than a guard, we’ll say so.

How do I clean my night guard?

Rinse it with cool water and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush each morning — skip the toothpaste, which is abrasive, and never use hot water, which can warp it. Store it dry in its case, and bring it to your dental visits so we can check its condition and give it a professional cleaning.

Will dental benefits cover a custom night guard?

Many dental plans cover night guards partially or fully when there’s documented grinding damage, but coverage varies widely. We’ll check your benefits and give you a clear cost picture before anything is made.

Patient reviews

From people who had this done here.

I have been a patient here for over twenty years and I would not go anywhere else. Everyone knows my name the moment I walk in, and the care has always been thorough and completely honest.

Donna W.Verified Google review

Dr. Markiewicz walked me through my implant plan on a 3D scan so I understood exactly what would happen. The surgery was far easier than I expected and the tooth looks completely natural.

Catherine P.Verified Google review

I used to dread the dentist. This office changed that. They explained every step, checked in constantly, and never once made me feel rushed or judged about the work I had put off.

Juli N.Verified Google review

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Jaw pain? Worn teeth? A partner tired of the grinding soundtrack? Let’s take a look. Call Markiewicz Dental at (847) 566-2811 or request an appointment online to schedule an evaluation and get fitted for a custom night guard. Serving Mundelein, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, and Lake County, IL.