I have a night guard and my jaw still hurts. What now?

That is worth a proper evaluation rather than a new guard. Either the appliance is not addressing what is actually driving your symptoms, or the diagnosis it was made against was incomplete.

Are drugstore night guards safe?

For short-term tooth protection they are usually harmless. Worn nightly for long periods, they can allow unwanted tooth movement and can increase muscle activity through uneven contact. They are not appropriate for treating jaw pain.

Night Guards and Why Many Fail

A night guard and a therapeutic orthotic are not the same device, even though they look similar and both go in at bedtime. Conflating them is one of the most common reasons people arrive saying they already tried a guard and it did not help — or made things worse.

What a protective guard actually does

A standard night guard is designed to protect teeth from wear. It puts a layer of acrylic between the arches so grinding damages the appliance instead of enamel. That is a legitimate and useful job. What it does not do is change where the jaw sits, unload the joint, or reduce the muscle activity driving the grinding.

What a therapeutic orthotic is for

An orthotic is designed and adjusted to hold the jaw in a specific position — one chosen to take load off the joint and let the muscles release. It is fitted to a diagnosis, adjusted over time as the muscles change, and its position is a clinical decision rather than a byproduct of the impression. That is why it requires a workup first.

How the wrong appliance makes things worse

Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are the clearest example. They are bulky, they contact unevenly, and an uneven contact gives the muscles something to push against — which can increase clenching rather than reduce it. Guards that cover only some teeth can also allow unopposed teeth to move over months of nightly wear. A guard that has never been adjusted after fitting is worth re-evaluating.

When a simple guard is the right answer

If your only issue is tooth wear from grinding, with no pain, no joint noise, no limitation and no morning headache, a well-made protective guard may be exactly what you need. The problem is not guards. The problem is using a protective device to treat a joint disorder.

Common questions

I have a night guard and my jaw still hurts. What now?: That is worth a proper evaluation rather than a new guard. Either the appliance is not addressing what is actually driving your symptoms, or the diagnosis it was made against was incomplete.
Are drugstore night guards safe?: For short-term tooth protection they are usually harmless. Worn nightly for long periods, they can allow unwanted tooth movement and can increase muscle activity through uneven contact. They are not appropriate for treating jaw pain.

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