Should You Wear Your Dental Night Guard During the Day?

If you have a dental night guard for bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, wearing it can protect your smile from damage such as chips, cracks, and worn-down teeth. This appliance can also help prevent potential TMJ issues, which may affect both oral health and appearance.

While a night guard is essential for protecting your smile while you sleep, what about during the day? If you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth during daytime hours, you might wonder, “Can I wear a night guard during the day?” Although you may not need to wear your standard night guard during the day, a smaller, more discreet guard can provide protection against bruxism throughout the day.

So, should you consider wearing a night guard during the day? Here’s what you need to know about managing daytime teeth grinding to protect your teeth and gums effectively.

Daytime vs. Nighttime Teeth Grinding

Both daytime and nighttime bruxism can affect your smile. Daytime teeth clenching and grinding, also known as diurnal bruxism, is usually considered semi-voluntary. This means you may or may not be aware that you’re clenching or grinding your teeth.

Diurnal bruxism has been linked to daily stressors, whether from work, home, or other pressures [1]. It’s more likely to involve silent clenching rather than the audible grinding typically associated with nighttime bruxism [2]. For those who clench their teeth during the day, wearing a daytime guard can help bring awareness to this habit and aid in reducing it.

Using a daytime guard is often an effective way to “deprogram” the brain from clenching and grinding patterns [3]. When you become aware of clenching or grinding, a daytime occlusal guard helps protect your teeth while training you to modify this habit.

Potential Benefits of Wearing a Mouth Guard During the Day

Wearing a bulky mouthguard all day might sound inconvenient, but fortunately, both night guards and daytime guards are designed to be comfortable and discreet. Can you wear a mouth guard during the day? Yes! Your dentist can customize a smaller, less visible daytime guard or splint to provide protection while allowing for normal oral function.

Benefits of wearing a mouthguard for daytime bruxism include:

• Preventing grinding and damage to teeth
• Reducing muscle tension around the jaw joints
• Relieving headaches caused by bruxism
• Alleviating jaw stiffness and limited movement
• Preventing the need for future restorative dental work

Not all patients who experience teeth grinding need a daytime guard, and for those who do, the guard is typically used as a short-term tool. The primary goal is to increase awareness of daytime clenching and grinding so that you can actively work to stop the behavior and protect your smile.

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we offer custom-made occlusal guards for both day and night use. These appliances are designed to protect your teeth from the intense pressure exerted during clenching and grinding. A dental orthotic can hold your jaw in the correct position, supporting a healthy, pain-free smile.

How to Know If You Suffer From Daytime Bruxism

If you’re a “bruxer” who grinds or clenches during the day, you may experience certain symptoms, especially if the habit is long-standing.

Common signs and symptoms of bruxism include [4]:

• Sensitive teeth
• Damaged dental restorations like crowns, implants, and bridges
• Worn-down teeth or unusual wear patterns on teeth
• Jaw stiffness or soreness in facial muscles
• Frequent headaches
• Gum recession
• Clicking or popping sounds from the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)

These symptoms can arise regardless of whether bruxism occurs day or night. Daytime bruxism is often easier to notice, whereas nighttime bruxism usually manifests with symptoms upon waking. Your dentist can help identify signs of bruxism during an exam and guide you toward appropriate treatment.

Do You Suffer from Bruxism?

If you’re experiencing signs of bruxism, it’s essential to protect your smile with a nightguard or daytime occlusal guard. Dr. Marlin and Dr. Talmazov at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry offer customized appliances for both daytime and nighttime use to suit your unique needs. Contact us today to begin protecting your smile and reducing the effects of teeth clenching and grinding.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3081266/
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0097840X.1982.9936845?journalCode=vzhs20
3. https://www.aaom.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D129:tooth-clenching-or-grinding%26catid%3D22:patient-condition-information%26Itemid%3D120 
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482466/