There are lots of different reasons you may need a nightguard. Here are the most common ones. Bruxism is the technical name for grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. Teeth grinding can lead to worn-down enamel and loose or broken teeth. It also puts a strain on the muscles and ligaments in the jaw which can lead to pain, muscle aches, tightness and headaches. Bruxism can be caused by extreme stress and anxiety. Temporomandibular disorders are when you have pain in your jaw joints and the muscles that control the jaw. They also encompass the pain you may notice through popping or locking of the joints, limited movement of your jaw, stiffness, headaches and ear pain. Nightguards can help with snoring. They pull the lower jaw forward which opens your airway. This also helps to stop the vibrations of the soft tissues. Sleep apnea can be a serious sleep condition where you stop breathing when you sleep. This can lead to you not getting enough oxygen, and this can cause heart disease and increase your risk of a stroke. As with snoring, the nightguard pushes your lower jaw and tongue forward enabling your airway to stay open.