A night guard is a thin appliance you wear over your teeth while you sleep to protect them from grinding and clenching. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides custom night guards in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
Grinding is common and often goes unnoticed. A 2013 systematic review in the Journal of Orofacial Pain found that about 13% of adults report frequent grinding during sleep, though the authors caution that the studies relied on people reporting it themselves. Call (310) 542-6988 if you wake with a sore jaw or someone has heard you grinding.
Signs You May Be Grinding at Night
Most people who grind in their sleep do not know it until a partner hears it or a dentist sees the wear. Common signs include:
- A tight, tired or sore jaw when you wake up
- Dull morning headaches, or pain around the ears and neck
- Teeth that look flattened, chipped or worn at the edges
- Teeth that have become more sensitive to cold
- Small cracks in teeth or fillings, or a crown that keeps loosening
- Scalloped marks along the sides of your tongue
Stress is the best known cause, and the American Dental Association also links grinding to sleep disorders, missing or crooked teeth, and smoking, alcohol and coffee. Many people clench during the day too, often while concentrating.
What a Night Guard Does, and What It Does Not
A night guard puts a smooth layer between your upper and lower teeth, so the force of grinding lands on the guard instead of your enamel, fillings and crowns. That can slow tooth wear and protect dental work you already have.
A night guard protects your teeth, but it is not a cure for grinding, and many people still grind while wearing one. Managing stress, cutting back on evening alcohol and caffeine, and raising poor sleep with your physician may help with the habit itself. If your jaw joint itself hurts, clicks painfully or locks, that points to a jaw disorder, and TMJ treatment starts with an evaluation of the joint and muscles.
Custom Night Guard or Store-Bought?
Store-bought guards come in two kinds: stock guards you wear straight from the package, and boil-and-bite guards you soften in hot water and press onto your teeth. They cost far less, and for someone who grinds lightly and wants something for a few nights, one may be a reasonable start.
The American Dental Association notes that guards sold online and in stores may not give the same protection as one made for your mouth. The differences come down to fit and wear:
- A store guard is often bulkier and harder to sleep in, and a guard that fits poorly can leave teeth and jaw sore
- Heavy grinders can wear through a soft store guard fairly quickly
- A custom guard is shaped from your own teeth and adjusted so your bite meets it evenly
A dentist visit also does something a drugstore cannot: it checks whether grinding is what is actually going on. Jaw pain can come from a cracked tooth, an infection or gum disease, and a guard will not fix those.
How a Custom Night Guard Is Made
Your teeth, jaw muscles and joints are checked first for wear, cracks and failing fillings. If a guard is a good fit, impressions or a digital scan of your teeth are taken for the guard. At the fitting it is adjusted until it seats firmly and your bite closes evenly on it. Ask us how long the process takes and what material we recommend for how hard you grind.
If grinding has already cracked a tooth, that tooth may need repair before or alongside the guard. A cracked back tooth often needs a crown, and in many cases a same-day crown can be made and placed in one visit. Wearing a guard afterward helps protect the new crown as well.
Night Guards, Sports Guards and Sleep Apnea Appliances
These three appliances look similar but do different jobs.
- A night guard is a thin appliance made to protect teeth from grinding during sleep
- A sports mouth guard is thicker and cushioned to absorb impact during games and practice, which makes it uncomfortable to sleep in
- A sleep apnea appliance holds the lower jaw slightly forward to help keep the airway open, and it is prescribed only after a sleep physician diagnoses the condition
If you also snore loudly, wake up gasping or feel tired during the day, mention it at your visit, because sleep apnea treatment needs a different appliance and a medical diagnosis first.
Getting Used to Your Night Guard and Caring for It
Extra saliva and slight morning tightness in the teeth are common for the first few nights with a new guard and usually fade. If your bite still feels off later in the day, or the guard rubs a sore spot, call us.
Cleveland Clinic gives these care steps for custom guards:
- Rinse it in cool water and clean it with a soft brush and mild soap after each use, then let it air dry
- Keep it away from hot water, dishwashers and direct sun, which can warp it
- Store it in a vented case, away from pets
- Bring it to your checkups so it can be checked for cracks and wear
With good care, a custom guard can last for several years, depending on how hard you grind.
Teeth Grinding in Children
Children often grind their teeth, and according to the American Dental Association many outgrow it by adolescence. If you think your child grinds, mention it at their next general and family dentistry checkup, and your dentist can advise whether anything is needed.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
What a Night Guard Costs and How Insurance Handles It
The cost of a custom night guard depends on the material, whether you need a guard for one arch or both, and whether worn or cracked teeth need treatment first. Ask for an estimate after your exam, once your dentist knows which guard fits how you grind.
Coverage varies. Some dental plans pay part of the cost, often when grinding has been documented, and others exclude it. You may also be able to use health savings account funds. Ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. We accept PPO plans, and for costs your plan does not cover we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth getting a night guard from a dentist?
A night guard from a dentist is usually worth it if you grind regularly or already have worn or cracked teeth. It is shaped from your own teeth, so it tends to fit better and be more comfortable than a store guard, and the visit checks whether grinding is the real cause of your symptoms.
How much does a dental night guard cost?
The cost of a dental night guard depends on the material, whether it covers one arch or both, and whether any damaged teeth need treatment first. Redondo Beach Dental Group can give you an estimate once your exam shows which guard fits your needs.
Are night guards usually covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for night guards varies by plan. Some dental plans pay part of the cost, often when grinding has been documented, and some do not cover guards at all. Ask us how your plan applies to this treatment.
Can you get a night guard without going to the dentist?
You can buy a stock or boil-and-bite night guard without seeing a dentist. The American Dental Association notes that these may not protect as well as a custom guard, and a poorly fitting one can leave your teeth or jaw sore.
What is the downside of wearing a night guard?
The main downsides of wearing a night guard are an adjustment period and upkeep. Extra saliva and slight morning tightness in the teeth are common for the first few nights. A guard that does not fit well can cause soreness, and every guard needs daily cleaning and eventual replacement.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard does not usually stop grinding. It protects your teeth and dental work from the force of grinding. Reducing stress, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and treating any sleep problem may help with the habit itself.
Get a Custom Night Guard in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and mention any jaw soreness or grinding when you book.