The most common night guard side effects are mild soreness while you adjust, extra saliva or drooling, dry mouth, a triggered gag reflex, and jaw discomfort. Less often, a poorly fitting guard can shift your bite, and some people react to the guard material. Most minor issues settle within a few days to two weeks, while symptoms that last longer usually point to a fit or material problem your dentist can correct.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a night guard can protect your teeth and your jaw. Many people looking for night guards in Vancouver, need one to prevent enamel wear and to ease jaw strain linked to TMJ problems. As helpful as night guards are, some users experience side effects, especially in the first few weeks.
In this blog, we explain the most common night guard problems, why they happen, and what to do about each one.
1. Initial Discomfort and Irritation
Wearing a night guard for the first time can feel strange. Your teeth and gums may feel tender for a while, and the edges of the guard can rub against your tongue or cheeks.
- Why it happens: Your mouth needs time to get used to having something new in it overnight.
- Symptoms: Mild tooth or gum soreness, light pressure on the teeth, or tongue and cheek irritation.
- Duration: Usually a few days to a couple of weeks.
Solution: Wear the guard consistently every night so your mouth adapts. If a rough or sharp edge is irritating your tongue or cheek, or the soreness doesn’t ease after two weeks, see your dentist. A custom guard can be smoothed and adjusted in a short visit.
2. Poor Fit Causing Pain or Pressure
A poorly fitting night guard can cause pain instead of relief. This is a common issue with generic, over-the-counter guards.
- Why it happens: A guard that doesn’t match your teeth puts uneven pressure on some of them.
- Symptoms: Pain in specific spots, or trouble keeping the guard in place.
- Duration: Continues for as long as you wear an ill-fitting guard.
Solution: A custom night guard made from impressions or a digital scan of your teeth gives an accurate, comfortable fit and can be adjusted if needed.
3. Teeth Shifting or Bite Changes
In some cases, a night guard can put uneven pressure on certain teeth and cause minor shifting or a change in how your teeth come together.
- Why it happens: A poorly designed guard, or one that only covers some of the teeth, doesn’t spread pressure evenly.
- Symptoms: Your bite feels different in the morning, or you notice slight changes in alignment.
- Duration: Can become lasting if it isn’t corrected early.
Solution: If you notice changes in your bite or alignment, stop using the guard and see your dentist. A professionally made, full-coverage night guard for teeth is designed to distribute pressure evenly.
4. Excess Saliva and Drooling
Many people produce more saliva than usual, or drool in their sleep, when they first start wearing a night guard.
- Why it happens: Your body treats the guard as something foreign in the mouth and responds by producing more saliva.
- Symptoms: Frequent swallowing, drooling, or a wet pillow in the morning.
- Duration: Usually fades as your mouth gets used to the guard.
Solution: Wear the guard every night so your mouth adapts faster, and try putting it in a little before you fall asleep so you can swallow comfortably first. If drooling continues after a few weeks, ask your dentist whether a thinner or slimmer custom night guard would suit you better.
5. Dry Mouth
Some people get a dry mouth instead of extra saliva.
- Why it happens: A guard can make it harder to keep your lips closed, which encourages mouth breathing during sleep.
- Symptoms: A dry, sticky mouth or throat when you wake up.
- Duration: Can continue if the cause isn’t addressed.
Solution: Drink enough water during the day, use a humidifier in your bedroom, and talk to your dentist near you about whether a slimmer guard design could help. Persistent dry mouth is worth mentioning to your dentist, as it can raise your risk of cavities.
6. Gag Reflex
For some people, putting in a night guard triggers their gag reflex.
- Why it happens: A bulky guard, or one that extends too far back in the mouth, can touch sensitive areas near the back of the palate.
- Symptoms: Nausea or a choking feeling when the guard goes in.
- Duration: Varies from person to person.
Solution: Ask your dentist about a smaller, thinner design or a guard for the lower teeth, which covers less of the palate. Breathing slowly through your nose while you put it in, and building up wear time gradually, can also help.
7. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to night guards are uncommon, but some people are sensitive to the materials used to make them.
- Why it happens: A sensitivity to components in the plastic or acrylic material of the guard.
- Symptoms: Redness, swelling, itching, burning, or sores on the gums, tongue, or inside of the cheeks or lips.
- Duration: Symptoms usually continue for as long as you keep wearing the guard.
Solution: Stop wearing the guard and contact your dentist, who can recommend an alternative material. If you have significant swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or any trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care right away.
8. Jaw Pain and TMJ Problems
A night guard should ease jaw pain, but a poorly fitting one can make it worse.
- Why it happens: A guard that holds your jaw in an unnatural position can strain the jaw muscles and joints.
- Symptoms: Jaw pain or stiffness, headaches, or clicking or popping in the jaw joint.
- Duration: Can become an ongoing problem if it isn’t addressed.
Solution: Let your dentist know. They can check how your teeth meet the guard and adjust it so your jaw can rest in a comfortable position.
9. Bad Breath, Odour, or Gum Irritation from Buildup
A night guard that isn’t cleaned well collects bacteria and plaque, which can cause bad breath, an unpleasant taste, and irritated gums.
Solution: Rinse and brush your guard every morning, deep clean it weekly, and let it dry fully before storing it. Our guide on how to clean and maintain your night guard walks you through each step.
When to See Your Dentist About Night Guard Side Effects
Book a visit if you notice any of the following:
- Soreness or discomfort that hasn’t improved after about two weeks
- Changes in your bite, or teeth that feel like they are moving
- Jaw pain, headaches, or clicking that started or got worse after you began wearing the guard
- Redness, swelling, burning, or sores that could be a reaction to the material
- Cracks, rough edges, or a guard that no longer fits snugly
Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guard Side Effects
Are side effects from a night guard normal?
Mild side effects such as soreness, extra saliva, or a strange feeling in the mouth are common in the first few days to two weeks. Symptoms that last longer or get worse usually mean the guard needs to be adjusted.
How long does it take to get used to a night guard?
Most people adjust within a few days to two weeks of wearing their guard every night. A custom-fitted guard is usually easier to get used to than an over-the-counter one.
Can a night guard shift your teeth?
A poorly fitting guard, or one that only covers some of the teeth, can put uneven pressure on teeth and change your bite. A professionally made, full-coverage guard is designed to prevent this. If your bite feels different, stop wearing the guard and see your dentist.
Can you be allergic to a night guard?
It is uncommon, but some people are sensitive to the materials in a night guard. Signs include redness, swelling, itching, burning, or sores in the mouth. Stop wearing the guard and ask your dentist about an alternative material.
Why do I drool when I wear my night guard?
Your mouth produces more saliva when it senses something new in it. Drooling usually fades within a couple of weeks of wearing the guard consistently. If it doesn’t, a thinner guard design may help.
Can a night guard cause jaw pain?
A well-fitting guard should reduce jaw strain, but one that holds your jaw in an awkward position can cause pain or stiffness. Your dentist can adjust the guard so your jaw rests comfortably.
The Right Night Guard for Your Comfort at City Square Dental Center
Night guards are an effective way to protect your teeth from grinding, but the right fit is what keeps them comfortable. If you are looking for a night guard, a professional consultation makes a real difference.
Our dentist in Vancouver at City Square Dental Center provides custom night guards designed for comfort and protection, and can adjust your current guard if it is causing problems. Our team is dedicated to your dental health and tailors every solution to your needs.
Book an appointment or call us today.
