Dental Night Guards: Uses for Bruxism, TMJ, Sleep Apnea, and More

A dental night guard (occlusal splint) is a custom‑fitted appliance worn during sleep. Key indications include:

1. Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching): Protects enamel from wear, fractures, and reduces jaw muscle pain.
2. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD): Alleviates joint loading, muscle tension, clicking, and associated headaches.
3. Obstructive sleep apnea (mild–moderate): Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) reposition the lower jaw forward to maintain airway patency.
4. Headache/facial pain: Reduces nocturnal muscle hyperactivity linked to tension‑type headaches and migraines.
5. Tooth sensitivity & abfraction: Shields cervical tooth structure from flexural forces.
6. Post‑orthodontic retention: Prevents relapse after braces or aligners.

Consult a dentist for proper diagnosis, appliance selection, and follow‑up. Over‑the‑counter guards may not address specific occlusal issues and can worsen TMD in some cases.