---
title: "What Is Night guard? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A night guard is a custom-fit plastic cover worn over the teeth during sleep to protect them from grinding and clenching."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Orthodontics

# Night guard

A night guard is a custom-fit plastic cover worn over the teeth during sleep to protect them from grinding and clenching.

Many people grind or clench their teeth while they sleep and do not know it. Over time this can chip or wear teeth and strain the jaw. The ADA says your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. The ADA also says night guards sold online and in stores may not provide the same protection as a guard made just for you. A night guard does not stop the habit, but it takes the wear instead of your teeth. It is not the same as a [sports guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-guard). Bring it to checkups so the dentist can check the fit. See [bruxism](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding), [occlusal splint](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/occlusal-splint), and our [night guards](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpNight Guards for Bruxism](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards)

## Related terms

-   [Bruxism (teeth grinding)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding)
-   [Occlusal splint](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/occlusal-splint)
-   [Sports guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-guard)
-   [Mouth guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mouth-guard)
-   [TMJ disorder (TMD)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tmj-disorder-tmd)

## Sources

1.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Teeth Grinding](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-grinding)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)