Home › Tips from the lab › Night guard: why it's worth it
☾ Tip from the lab · Sleep & teeth
Night guard: why it's worth it
Many people grind or clench their teeth in their sleep without knowing it. A night guard is a thin protective layer that looks after your teeth while you sleep.
Signs you might grind
- Jaw pain in the morning
- Headache when you wake up
- Teeth that look worn
- Someone hears grinding at night
How the guard helps
The guard sits on your upper teeth. When your jaw closes at night, the teeth meet the guard instead of each other.
- Protects enamelThe friction hits the guard, not your teeth, so they don't wear down or crack
- Eases the jawIt can reduce the load on the jaw muscles and joint, and with it morning pain
- Quieter nightsLess grinding noise, for whoever sleeps next to you too
The types, and how they differ
Not every guard is the same. The big difference is how closely it fits your mouth.
- Ready-made
One size for everyone, worn as it comes.
- Fit: general
- Comfort: basic
- Lasts: a few months
- Boil-and-bite
Heated in water and bitten at home to take shape.
- Fit: partial
- Comfort: medium
- Lasts: a few months
- Best fitLab-made
Built from an exact impression taken by your dentist.
- Fit: exact to your teeth
- Comfort: highest
- Lasts: several years with care
A lab-made guard can also be hard or soft, in different thicknesses. Your dentist decides based on how hard you grind.
How to look after it
- Rinse in cool waterand brush after every use. Hot water can warp it.
- Keep it in a vented caseaway from sun and heat, and out of reach of pets.
- Bring it to check-upsso your dentist can check it still fits well.
How to get a night guard
- A check-up with your dentist
- The dentist takes an impression
- We build the guard in the lab
- A fitting at the dentist, and you're done
Think you grind your teeth? Check with your dentist. We're here to build the guard to fit your teeth exactly.