Nightguards Houma, LA
Do you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or earaches that you cannot explain? Do you notice your teeth chipping, cracking, or wearing down faster than expected? You may be among the roughly one in ten adults who clench or grind their teeth during sleep — a condition called bruxism. Many patients have no idea it is happening because it occurs while they sleep, and by the time symptoms appear, the damage has already been done. At Porche Dental Care in Houma, Louisiana, Dr. Corey Porche provides custom-fitted nightguards for patients across Terrebonne Parish who want to protect their teeth before bruxism causes lasting harm.
Signs You May Need a Nightguard
Because bruxism happens at night, most patients do not discover it themselves — they notice the symptoms first or are told by a partner who hears the grinding. Common warning signs include:
- Waking up with jaw pain, facial soreness, or a feeling of tightness in the jaw muscles
- Frequent headaches or earaches, particularly in the morning
- Teeth that feel sensitive, or that chip and crack more than expected
- Worn-down, flattened, or visibly shortened tooth surfaces
- A sensation of a locked or fatigued jaw when you open wide
- Damage to existing dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, or fillings
- Audible grinding sounds during sleep
If you recognize any of these patterns, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Porche. He will examine your teeth for signs of wear and determine whether a custom nightguard is the right next step for you. Untreated bruxism does not resolve on its own and tends to worsen over time — it can also contribute to TMJ and jaw joint problems if left unaddressed.
What Is a Nightguard?
A nightguard is a custom-fitted oral appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth while you sleep. It is fabricated from flexible, durable plastic molded precisely to the contours of your bite. When worn, the nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing direct tooth-on-tooth contact. This eliminates the grinding friction and absorbs the force of clenching so that the appliance takes the wear instead of your enamel, restorations, and jaw joint.
The nightguard does not stop the grinding reflex — bruxism is often related to stress, sleep patterns, bite alignment, or neurological factors, and those underlying causes are not always fully resolvable. What the nightguard does is give your teeth somewhere safe to clench and grind without doing damage. For many patients, it also significantly reduces jaw soreness and morning headaches because it redistributes the load of clenching across the full arch rather than concentrating it on individual teeth.
Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Nightguards
Nightguards sold at pharmacies and sporting goods stores are inexpensive, but they are a poor substitute for a custom-fitted appliance. Stock nightguards are thick, bulky, and difficult to breathe through. Because they are not molded to your specific bite, they fit loosely, shift during the night, and may actually cause the jaw to reposition in ways that worsen soreness. Some patients find them so uncomfortable that they stop wearing them entirely — which means no protection at all.
A custom nightguard from Porche Dental Care is made from a precise impression of your own teeth and bite. It fits exactly, stays in place through the night, and is thin enough that most patients forget they are wearing it within a few nights. The improved comfort also means patients are far more likely to wear it consistently — and consistent wear is the only thing that actually protects your teeth.
Getting Your Custom Nightguard at Porche Dental Care
Caring for Your Nightguard
A well-maintained custom nightguard can last several years. To keep yours clean and effective:
- Rinse it with cool water immediately after removing it each morning
- Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap — do not use whitening toothpastes, which can scratch the material
- Store it in its protective case when not in use and away from direct heat or sunlight, which can warp the plastic
- Bring it to your routine dental appointments at Porche Dental Care so Dr. Porche can inspect it for wear and confirm it still fits correctly
- Replace it when it shows visible thinning, cracking, or no longer fits snugly — a worn-out nightguard offers minimal protection
For more information about bruxism — its causes, risk factors, and broader treatment approaches — visit our dedicated bruxism page. If snoring or sleep apnea is also a concern, Dr. Porche can discuss how those conditions overlap with nighttime jaw activity and whether additional appliances may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nightguards
What is the difference between a nightguard and a sports mouthguard?
Sports mouthguards are designed to absorb external impacts during athletic activity — they are typically thicker and bulkier to absorb blows. Nightguards are designed to cushion the teeth from the internal forces of nighttime grinding and clenching. They are thinner, custom-fitted, and designed for all-night comfort. The two serve different purposes and should not be used interchangeably. Both are available at Porche Dental Care — see our mouthguards page for more on sports protection.
Will a nightguard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A nightguard does not stop the grinding reflex itself — it protects your teeth from the damage grinding causes. The appliance creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth so that the force of clenching and the friction of grinding impact the nightguard instead of your enamel and restorations. Many patients also report reduced jaw soreness and fewer morning headaches, likely because the nightguard helps distribute clenching forces more evenly.
How long does a custom nightguard last?
With proper care, a custom nightguard typically lasts two to five years depending on the severity of the grinding and how well it is maintained. Heavy bruxers may wear through an appliance more quickly. Dr. Porche checks your nightguard at routine visits and will let you know when it needs to be replaced. A worn-down nightguard is no longer protective, so do not delay replacement if yours is showing significant wear.
Is a nightguard uncomfortable to sleep in?
There is usually a brief adjustment period of a few nights while you get used to wearing the appliance. A custom-fitted nightguard from Porche Dental Care is thin and contoured to your exact bite, which makes it significantly more comfortable than anything available over the counter. Most patients report that within a week they forget they are wearing it.
Can a nightguard help with TMJ pain?
For many patients with TMJ-related jaw pain, a nightguard can help by reducing the load on the jaw joint from nightly clenching. By absorbing and distributing those forces, the nightguard allows the joint and surrounding muscles to rest more fully during sleep. However, TMJ disorders can have multiple causes, and a nightguard addresses only the mechanical loading component. Dr. Porche will evaluate whether additional TMJ-specific treatment is also indicated. Learn more on our TMJ-TMD page.
Does insurance cover a custom nightguard?
Coverage varies by plan. Some dental insurance plans include nightguards as a covered benefit when bruxism is documented. Because Porche Dental Care is a fee-for-service, out-of-network practice, we will provide the documentation needed for you to submit a claim to your insurer directly. Our financial information page covers out-of-network benefits and CareCredit financing options.
