Custom Night Guards for Teeth Grinding in Murrieta, CA

The Damage You Cannot See Happening While You Sleep

Teeth grinding — the dental term is bruxism — is one of the most common conditions Dr. Valerie Scola sees at Scola Family Dentistry. And one of the most overlooked. Because it happens while you sleep, many people have no idea they are doing it until the damage shows up in other ways: worn or chipped enamel, jaw soreness in the morning, recurring headaches, or increased tooth sensitivity.

The American Sleep Association reports that 10% of adults and 15% of children grind their teeth. The exact cause remains unclear, but stress, bite alignment issues, and certain sleep disorders are all associated with bruxism.

What Bruxism Does to Your Teeth (and Your Jaw)

The forces generated by teeth grinding are far greater than those produced by normal chewing. Over time, this excessive pressure wears down tooth enamel, causes chips and fractures, and can alter your bite — the way your teeth fit together when your mouth is closed.

Bite changes from bruxism can trigger a cascade of other problems, including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction, jaw stiffness and pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches. What starts as a nighttime habit can become a significant daytime quality-of-life issue.

How We Diagnose Bruxism

During a routine exam, Dr. Scola and her team look for the telltale signs: worn enamel patterns, chips in unexpected places, sensitivity that does not match any obvious cause, and tenderness in the jaw muscles. Patients are often surprised to learn they have been grinding — and relieved to finally have an explanation for symptoms they have been dealing with for years.

Custom Night Guards: A Simple, Effective Solution

A custom night guard is an oral appliance that slips over your teeth while you sleep, creating a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. It absorbs and distributes the forces of grinding, protecting your enamel and reducing stress on the jaw joint.

At Scola Family Dentistry, night guards are fabricated from professional-grade materials — not the soft, generic guards you can buy at a pharmacy. Custom appliances are designed from impressions of your actual mouth, so they fit precisely, stay in place, and are comfortable enough to actually wear through the night. (An ill-fitting guard will not be worn — which means it will not help.)

A Small Investment with Long-Term Benefits

A custom night guard is one of the most cost-effective protective treatments in dentistry. It can prevent the need for fillings, crowns, and other restorations caused by grinding damage — and spare you from the jaw pain and headaches that come with unmanaged bruxism.

If you have been waking up with a sore jaw, or if someone has mentioned that you grind your teeth in your sleep, book an appointment with Dr. Scola at Scola Family Dentistry in Murrieta. A brief evaluation can tell us a lot — and get you on the path to sleeping soundly and protecting your smile.

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