Most people who grind do not know they do. It usually shows up as wear, cracks, sensitivity, or morning jaw soreness — and it is often the reason dental work fails early.
A well-fitted guard protects teeth from wear and distributes load. It does not stop the grinding habit itself, and it is not a treatment for jaw joint disorders. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards fit less accurately and can alter your bite; a custom guard is made to your teeth.
Where grinding is linked to stress or sleep-disordered breathing, that is worth investigating with the right clinician rather than treating only the surfaces.
What we can explain here — and what needs an exam
A page can inform you. It cannot examine you.
We can explain online
How grinding damages teeth
What a custom guard does
Why OTC guards fit differently
Determined after an exam
Whether you show wear patterns
Whether a guard is indicated for you
Whether onward referral is appropriate
What to do next
Mention it at your exam. Wear patterns are visible long before you feel anything.