⭐ Why Your Night Guard Hurts Your Teeth — And When It’s a Sign Something’s Wrong

Part of Sentinel Mouthguards’ Comprehensive Guide to Night Guards

Many people start wearing a night guard to relieve discomfort — so when the guard itself causes tooth or jaw pain, it can feel confusing and even alarming. The good news? In most cases, a night guard hurting your teeth is fixable, normal during the adjustment period, or a sign that a simple tweak is needed.

This guide breaks down why a night guard might hurt, what’s normal vs. not normal, and what to do to get comfortable again. Whether your guard feels too tight, presses on one area, or leaves your bite feeling “off,” we’ll help you understand what’s happening and how to fix it.

Is a Night Guard Supposed to Hurt?

A custom night guard should never cause ongoing, sharp, or worsening pain. A brief adjustment period — usually 2–3 nights — can be normal as your teeth and jaw adapt, but anything beyond that deserves attention.

Normal Sensations

• Mild pressure on the teeth

• Temporary bite awareness in the morning

• Slight jaw fatigue for the first few nights

Not Normal

• Sharp tooth pain

• Gum irritation or rubbing

• A guard that won’t fully seat on the teeth

• Pain that increases instead of improves

• Difficulty removing the guard due to tightness

• One specific area of the mouth hurting consistently

If you’re in the “not normal” category, it’s time to troubleshoot.

Top Reasons Your Night Guard Hurts Your Teeth

1. The Guard Is Too Tight

A custom guard should feel snug, but not painfully tight. Pain on specific teeth — especially the front teeth — often means the material is pinching or applying uneven pressure.

Common signs:

• Pain when pushing the guard onto your teeth

• One or two teeth hurting more than others

• Difficulty removing the guard

Solution:
A small adjustment by the lab usually resolves this completely.

2. The Guard Is Too Thick

Thickness affects comfort. A guard that feels bulky or alters your bite can stress certain teeth or the jaw.

You may notice:

• Difficulty closing your mouth comfortably

• Jaw stiffness in the morning

• Pressure on back teeth

Solution:
Switching to a thinner guard or using the correct guard type (day vs. night) can eliminate the discomfort.

3. The Guard Extends Too High Onto the Gums

If the edges of the guard come up too high, especially near molars or wisdom teeth, the gums can become irritated or sore.

Solution:
Trimming and smoothing the guard edges typically solves this right away.

4. The Wrong Guard Type for Your Grinding Pattern

Some people grind heavily at night and need a more durable guard. Others clench lightly and feel discomfort with harder materials. Using the wrong guard for your teeth grinding habits can create pressure points.

Examples:

• A soft guard feeling too “grippy” for strong grinders

• A hard guard feeling too stiff for light clenchers

• A dual-laminate guard feeling bulky

Solution:
Choosing the right material and thickness for your grinding style is key.

5. Bite Changes or Tooth Movement

If a guard is worn long-term without proper fit checks, natural dental changes — like shifting teeth or new dental work — can create pressure.

Solution:
A new impression and updated guard usually resolves the issue.

6. The Guard Was Made from an Inaccurate Impression

Even a tiny distortion in the impression can cause discomfort once the guard is formed.

Signs:

• The guard only seats halfway

• Soreness concentrated on one tooth

• Uneven pressure on the left or right side

Solution:
A redo impression leads to a corrected fit.

When Your Night Guard Hurts: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Step 1: Identify Where the Pain Is Coming From

Is it one tooth? The gums? The back molars?
Knowing the exact area helps the lab pinpoint what needs to be adjusted.

(At Sentinel, we send customers a tooth chart to mark areas of discomfort before making corrections.)

Step 2: Test the Fit Slowly

Place the guard halfway on your teeth and stop where the pressure begins.
This helps identify tight zones.

Step 3: Check for Gum Irritation

Run your tongue along the edges. If they feel sharp, uneven, or high, the trim line may need smoothing.

Step 4: Contact Your Provider for an Adjustment

A high-quality lab can usually fix:

• Tight spots

• High edges

• Thickness concerns

• Pressure points

• Gum irritation

Sentinel Mouthguards completes most adjustments within 2 business days.

Step 5: Do Not Push Through Pain

Wearing a painful guard long-term can worsen bite issues or cause unnecessary stress on certain teeth.

When Night Guard Pain Is a Red Flag

Contact your provider right away if you experience:

• Pain that lasts more than a few nights

• Increasing pain each time you wear the guard

• Difficulty biting down normally

• Soreness that lingers throughout the day

• Pain that wakes you up from sleep

These symptoms often mean the guard needs modification or replacement.

How Sentinel Mouthguards Helps Fix Painful Night Guards

As part of our Comprehensive Guide to Night Guards, we want customers to feel confident and supported. If your Sentinel guard hurts, here’s what we do:

• Review your digital impression or scan

• Send a printable tooth chart to mark problem areas

• Provide a prepaid return label

• Make targeted adjustments within 2 business days

• Follow up to ensure the new fit feels right

Every mouth is unique — and getting the fit right is what we do best.

Final Thoughts: A Night Guard Should Protect, Not Hurt

Discomfort is common when something new enters your mouth at night, but pain is not normal. Almost every issue with a painful night guard has a clear fix — whether it’s adjusting the fit, modifying the thickness, or remaking it from an updated impression.

If your night guard hurts your teeth, don’t give up. A properly made guard can transform your sleep, protect your enamel, and reduce jaw soreness. You just need one that fits your unique bite.