Night Guard For Teeth Grinding – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

If you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep, it might be time for a night guard. If you’re not sure what one is or where to start when shopping for one, we’ve got you covered! In this buyer’s guide and review of the top night guards on the market, we’ll give you all the details on how to choose the perfect mouthpiece for sweet dreams free from tooth grinding.

Night guards are usually made from plastic or flexible acrylic and cover either your upper teeth or both. They fit around your teeth like a retainer, using suction or adhesive material to ensure they don’t slip out of place while you’re sleeping. Depending on the design and material used, they can be customized to fit your mouth perfectly. This offers protection against grinding and clenching, as well as reducing jaw stiffness, headaches and gum tenderness.

When shopping for a night guard, it’s important to consider the type of material used and how comfortable it is when you wear it. Plastic guards tend to be sturdier than acrylic ones but can feel bulky in your mouth so check reviews for information about comfort levels. If possible, try on the guard before buying to make sure you get the best fit for you.

How does a night guard help with teeth grinding?

Mouth guards or night guards are retainer-like pieces constructed of flexible plastic. When worn, a guard covers either the bottom or the top set of the teeth and helps cushion the teeth from the force of clenching and prevent them from scraping against each other. When worn regularly, a night guard for teeth grinding helps prevent further tooth damage and helps ease discomforts connected to teeth grinding.

Best Over-the-Counter Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinders 2023

Product	Material	Comfort	Customization	Cleaning	Best Use For
SleepRight Dura-Comfort Dental Guard	Soft silicone	High	Low	Easy	Light to moderate grinding
DenTek Professional-Fit Dental Guard	Hard acrylic	Low	High	Moderate	Moderate to severe grinding
TotalGard StressGard II Night Tooth Guard	Hard acrylic	Low	High	Moderate	Moderate to severe grinding
Plackers Grind No More Dental Night Guard	Soft silicone	High	Low	Easy	Light to moderate grinding
Grind Guard (2 for 1 Bonus Pack)	Soft silicone	High	Low	Easy	Light to moderate grinding

• Material: The material of the night guard can affect its comfort level and durability. Soft silicone guards tend to be more comfortable but may wear out faster than hard acrylic guards.
• Comfort: The comfort level of the night guard can impact how easily you can wear it at night. High comfort means the guard is more likely to be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
• Customization: Some night guards can be customized for a better fit by boiling them and biting down to create a mold of your teeth. This can improve the effectiveness of the guard but may also make it more difficult to clean.
• Cleaning: Some night guards are easier to clean than others, with some being dishwasher safe or having special cleaning solutions available.
• Best Use For: Different night guards are better suited for different levels of teeth grinding. Light to moderate grinding may be adequately treated with a softer, more comfortable night guard, while moderate to severe grinding may require a harder, more durable guard.

1. Sleep Right Dura Comfort Dental Guard – Best Anti-Grinding Teeth Protectors

Featuring a self- adjust technology to fit all sizes, this oral device for teeth grinding includes two-bite pads that can be adjusted to fit between the upper and lower molars to re- establish natural freeway space. The bite pads can be adjusted in four positions (forward for a smaller fit, backward for a larger fit or swivel to match different bite angles), providing a customizing for all sizes. The device is equipped with heat-sensitive bands and does not require boiling to fit. The no-boil dental guard not only provides effective in cushioning, but also helps protect teeth from chipping or loosening.

Sleep Right Dura Comfort Dental Guard is a perfect choice for all those who want to buy a night guard that can help treat teeth grinding without experiencing much discomfort.

2. Dentek Professional Fit Maximum Protection Dental Guard

A night guard designed for patients with light to moderate teeth grinding, the maximum protection dental guard is not only easy to mold and use, but also does not cause pain and soreness. With an ergonomic design featuring two layers, this oral device fits your teeth comfortably and also provides protection against grinding. This oral appliance comes with a forming tray, a tray handle and a storage case. While the forming tray helps keeps the moldable material in place for proper alignment, the tray handle makes it easier and less messy to remove the guard from hot water. The storage case helps protect the device when not in use.

Dentek Professional Fit Maximum Protection Dental Guard is one of the best ways to treat teeth grinding without burning a hole in your pocket.

3. TotalGard StressGard Night tooth Teeth Mouth Bruxism Guard TMJ

Developed by orthodontist Dr James Bancroft, this oral device can be used to treat teeth grinding as well as clenching. Apart from featuring a cushion that helps prevent contact between upper and lower teeth, this guard has a flexible groove that acts as a shock absorber. In addition, the smooth surface of the night guard makes it easy for teeth to slide on it. StressGard can be fitted on the lower jaw or the upper jaw.

If you are looking for a comfortable and economical solution to treat teeth grinding, buying StressGard night guard would be a great option.

4. Plackers Grind No more Dental Night Protector

This ready to use, disposable night guard for teeth grinding is meets the demanding requirements of both grinders and clenchers in the most cost- effective way. The stabilizing bite plates, absorbing bite plates and alignment grooves of this night guard work together in forming a tight grip around the teeth to absorb high levels of grinding and clenching. With no boiling, molding or cutting required, this device helps provide an instant fit every time you wear for up to three days, before throwing it away.

Plackers Grind No more Dental Night Protector is a great buy for all those looking for a disposable night guard that offers exceptional protection, comfort and hygiene.

5. Archtek Grind Guard– Bonus pack

A dental product that has its own clam- shell’ package, Archtek Grind Guard helps relieve symptoms associated with teeth grinding. Designed to be used at night, this night guard is made of polycarbonate material, making it highly suitable for heavy bruxers. While the form – fit technology used in device helps provide a comfortable fit, it’s clear color helps reduce any unpleasant stare from people. The pack includes a one vented case with mirror and two boil and bite mouthpieces.

	Product Name
	Sleep Right Dura Comfort Dental Guard (Editor's Choice)
	Dentek Professional Fit Maximum Protection Dental Guard
	TotalGard StressGard Night tooth Teeth Mouth Bruxism Guard TMJ
	Plackers Grind No more Dental Night Protector
	Archtek Grind Guard

Best Mouthguards for Teeth Grinding Buyer’s Guide

The poor oral care of grinding teeth not only leads to uneven wearing of the teeth, which in turn, may well trigger various bad bite and other orthodontic disorders, but what is more, the intensive destruction of the surface of the teeth is closely associated with development of sensitivity problems.

On top of that, such patients run the greatest risks of their teeth being fractured or even cracked, especially when the grinding is tough. In some severe cases, even recession of the gums and exposure of the teeth roots are observed. What makes this bad dental habit really difficult to control is the fact that individuals generally grind their teeth during their sleep and, thus, these lower jaw movements are totally unintentional.

In addition, many patients just cannot hold themselves from grinding their teeth when experiencing anxiety. That is why their teeth need some special protection. For this purpose, modern dentistry offers a mouth guard as an option for such patients.

What Is The Mouth Guard For Grinding Teeth?

Initially used to protect the teeth of sportsmen engaged in contact sports, guards are now widely employed in dentistry, particularly the orthodontics field, for handling minor bad bite and teeth grinding problems.

Basically, the guard for grinding teeth is just a transparent plastic covering put over the patient’s upper teeth in order to avoid their direct contact with those on his movable lower jaw. However, when the patient wears dental braces or some other dentures, he will need additional protection for his lower teeth.

Unlike the protectors used in contact sports, the guard for grinding teeth is to be put on for sleep only. This is because most people tend to grind their teeth only at night, in their subconscious state.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth When
They Sleep?

If you wonder why you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, well you will be surprised to learn that there are many reasons for this. Of the lot, the most significant reason you grind your teeth is stress and anxiety. A stressed person manifests the stress asleep through too much mastication meaning you grind most nights.

Even people suffering from sleep disorders like sleep apnea have a higher chance of developing the habit. There are others who tend to clench teeth as a side-effect of medications like antipsychotics and antidepressants.

Other possible causes for teeth grinding (bruxism) are alcoholism, too many caffeinated drinks, excessive drinking and using drugs. Even an uneven bite because of one or more lost teeth can cause teeth grinding in some people.

The uneven bite destabilizes the jaw’s occlusion and is stressful to the person. Knowing why do I grind my teeth while sleeping helps in possible elimination, and stopping the condition.

Is Clenching Teeth A Sign Of Stress?

Yes, it is because grinding teeth is considered a tension tamer for many people. People feel a sense of calm when they clench their teeth, which is why sometimes clenching teeth does signify stress.

Studies also prove that 70% of healthy people suffering from bruxism go through it because of stress. While the most common cause of stress is job troubles, anything worrying a person and their health continuously slowly becomes stressful.

However, it’s possible to reduce stress in most people through regular exercise or personal care health therapy. According to doctors, teeth grinding is part of the body’s natural mechanisms to stress. The shoulders automatically hunch up, the head moves forward and the teeth start clenching when in stress, and the next natural reflex is to start grinding or clenching teeth.

What Medications Cause Teeth Grinding?

Sometimes the side effects of some medications like antipsychotic and antidepressant medications can cause teeth grinding. It’s in fact linked to a particular type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), like paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac).

Even SNRIs, reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine like Pristiq, Cymbalta and Effexor are connected with nighttime bruxism. And as antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs, most bruxism cases triggered by medications are caused by antidepressants.

Not only drugs that affect serotonin levels, even drugs that change dopamine levels like L-Dopa are connected to bruxism. Metoclopramide, an acid reflux drug that helps digestion and migraines and the ADHD drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) are also sometimes linked with daytime bruxism.

These drugs all trigger bruxism by changing your brain chemistry. So changing or at least reducing the medications to bring the brain chemistry back into control is one of the effective bruxism treatments.

Is Teeth Grinding A Sign Of Sleep Apnea?

Yes, surprisingly teeth grinding is not only triggered by sleep apnea but is also a symptom of it. Sometimes a person suffering from bruxism have restorations cracking or falling out where a bite splint or mouth guard for sleep apnea doesn’t treat the teeth guard but camouflages a bigger problem.

The problem may be an underlying breathing disorder like chronic snoring or obstructive sleep apnea if the patient frequently gets up gasping for air at night. Research has in fact proven that bruxism is a symptom of sleeping problems like sleep apnea which is why you can’t dismiss the habit or problem of grinding my teeth as a stress-induced problem.

Not only teeth clenching, other health related symptoms of sleep apnea are fatigue, memory loss or problems, constant weight fluctuations, cardiovascular problems and a large neck. So if the patient is suffering mainly from sleep apnea, and not teeth grinding, then wearing a mouth guard for sleeping won’t help improve their health.

Even the best night guards may increase the risks of high blood pressure and heart attacks. While your dentist may not be able to diagnose sleep apnea, they should check for sleep apnea if a patient complains of bruxism.

Why Do Children Grind Her Teeth In Sleep?

While it’s not known why, some children also grind their teeth. It could be because their upper and lower teeth don’t fit comfortably as their teeth grow in phases. Teeth grinding is also a child’s natural reaction to get a feeling of calm, and it is this reaction which slowly grows into a habit. Some children have a habit of grinding their teeth when they are feeling scared or in response to facial pain and ill health like ear pain or illness.

While some children grind their teeth just because they like the feel of gnashing their teeth, hyperactive children have a higher tendency of developing bruxism. Other possible causes for bruxism in children are sleep disorders, mouth breathing at night, bed-wetting, sleep-talking and drooling. Children tend to outgrow most of these problems, and with the triggers missing, they soon stop grinding their teeth too.

However if stress or anxiety is the cause of bruxism in children, it’s important to find out the cause of their stress. The child may be undergoing some trauma, and need someone to talk about it. Stress is not something they will outgrow, but in fact will become worse if the cause for their stress is not addressed.

This means that you should work at relaxing the child before sleeping. Some things you can do are talking to the child, giving the child a warm bath or massaging the jaw so that your child gets a deep and restful sleep.

Teeth grinding in children is not something to worry about as most children still have their baby teeth which will fall off soon. So even if the teeth from night-time grinding ends up flat, the teeth eventually fall off and new healthy adult ones start growing.

Most children tend to stop grinding their teeth as they grow and outgrow any mental or physical childhood problems. It’s only if your child has healthy adult teeth and bruxism that you need to consult your dentist about a mouth guard for teeth grinding.

How Do I Stop Grinding My Teeth?

Your dentist will come up with the right plan to reduce nightly mouth grinding symptoms and related teeth damage. The treatment plan generally includes using mouth guard for teeth grinding or customized splints.

These appliances help keep your teeth separated and in the prevention of teeth from nighttime grinding and further teeth damage. Though uncomfortable, wearing a mouth guard for teeth grinding is one of the best ways to stop you from grinding my teeth and in your personal care to help protect your teeth from more damage.

In fact, a mouth guard can minimize the negative effects of bruxism. If needed, your dentist will also give tips for sleeping with a mouth guard so that you don’t get too offended by teeth protectors.

However you cannot expect miracles from the nightguard. You have to wear the nightguard continuously for some time so that the teeth guard protects your teeth and prevent your teeth from nighttime grinding. It also helps to prevent pain from clenching teeth as many people develop jaw pain and discomfort because of bruxism.

If improper teeth alignment is the cause of the problem, then your dentist may recommend wearing braces, crowns or even reshape the teeth’s chewing surface to improve teeth alignment.

If the grinding is due to stress, some doctors suggest taking muscle relaxants to reduce stress and consequent teeth from nighttime clenching. But these muscle relaxants have their share of side effects, which is why it should be taken only with a doctor’s prescription. Relaxation techniques, hypnosis, meditation and psychoanalysis are better options for stress relief.

If sleep apnea is the cause of bruxism, then mandibular advancement devices may help. They are customized appliances that fit over your top and bottom teeth to help bring your bottom jaw or mandible forward and in the process, help manage snoring and can even help in the prevention of sleep apnea.

How Is Teeth Grinding Treated?

Teeth grinding is treated based on its cause which may be stress, lifestyle factors, improper teeth alignment or a sleep disorder. Your dentist is the best person to conduct an examination, and reach an appropriate treatment plan for the condition.

The best option, however, is wearing customized mouth guards for teeth grinding that’s also called occlusal splints, night guards, bite plates or bruxism appliances. They are all basically anti teeth grinding & clenching devices which prevent the teeth clenching that can affect our teeth eventually.

Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth customized to fit over your top or bottom teeth. The continuous night time use of the best dental guard helps reduce jaw muscle pain and protect your teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When you wear a mouth guard for teeth grinding, the teeth guard helps avoid teeth damage as great mouth guard takes the brunt of grinding.

Jaw exercises may also help by relaxing and strengthening your jaw. A physical therapist will recommend specialized exercises which have to be performed twice or thrice a day for your personal care.

Can Hypnosis Help With Teeth Grinding?

Hypnosis is considered to be one of the effective bruxism treatments as most people subconsciously grind their teeth, usually while asleep. As hypnosis works with the unconscious mind, it can use the power of suggestions to change whatever had triggered bruxism in the first place.

As more than 70% of bruxism cases are stress-related, and as stress and anxiety can be addressed through hypnosis, hypnosis can help treat bruxism. It, in fact, reaches the root cause of stress and suggests positive coping methods that help your mind cope with stressful situations.

And as many teeth grinders think about or worry about something, hypnosis helps program your mind to look forward to a good night’s sleep with a relaxed jaw. This slowly helps treat bruxism and stop teeth clenching.

As you are in a deeply relaxed state when hypnotized, your unconscious opens up to suggestions and re-patterning. This is how and when it’s possible to interrupt any thought patterns leading to teeth grinding.

The hypnotist then uses suggestive language to encourage new and beneficial thought patterns. Hypnosis, along with customized mouth guards and splints will slowly but surely help stop teeth grinding.

Will I Benefit From A Mouth Guard For Grinding Teeth?

Both adults and children are strongly recommended to wear a guard for grinding teeth at night if they are even in the occasional habit of grinding their teeth. This is essential to protect them against major damage and, thus, the above-mentioned dental problems.

Even patients who wear dental braces, retainers, fixed and removable dentures, veneers, implants, or even have broken or missing teeth, can greatly benefit from wearing the guard for grinding teeth during their sleep as part of their of their oral care.

Still, sometimes, certain previous dental treatment is required, so remember to visit your dentist prior to getting a guard for grinding teeth, especially when you experience any discomfort or painful sensations in your teeth.

How To Choose A Really Good Mouth Guard For Grinding Teeth?

A good guard for grinding teeth should not only feel comfortable, as you put teeth protectors on your teeth, but also be durable, tear resistant and, certainly, easy to clean. Make sure that it does not hinder your speech or breathing pattern and that it is perfectly melded to your teeth.

Wearing improperly designed and sized mouthguards will not be of much help at treating bruxism, and for stopping grinding of teeth. While customized mouthguards are more expensive than sports versions, they are a better and more helpful option for treating bruxism.

Sports mouth guards are designed mainly to just protect the teeth while playing their games. However occlusal guards are strong and durable enough to resist the force of your clenched teeth at night, and thus prevent the wear and tear of your teeth and its enamel.

What Type Of Mouth Guard For Grinding Teeth Is The Best For Me?

Nowadays, you can find at least three types of mouth guards available. But you will definitely wonder if they are all good for treating grinding my teeth? Actually, these teeth protection appliances vary greatly in the way they fit onto your teeth. For instance, you can easily find stock mouth protectors in just about any department or sports store at a very attractive price.

But the fact that there is actually no way you can individually adjust them to your teeth makes dental care providers avoid recommending them for patients with grinding habits and especially those who wear dental braces. On top of that, stock mouth protectors are bulky and highly uncomfortable and even sometimes trigger difficulties in talking and breathing.

You can get a much better fit if you purchase the boil-and-bite mouth protectors, fabricated from special thermoplastic material, which adjusts pretty well to your bite pattern. All you need is to place the nightguard into hot water and then put them onto your upper teeth as soon as they get soft and flexible. However, this will not be a good enough option for patients with badly crooked or cracked teeth or for those who wear dental braces.

The preferred alternative guard for grinding teeth for this category of patients, and for those who look for comfort in their personal care and are ready to pay for it, is the custom-fitted mouth protector.

Even though the fabrication of such a guard for grinding teeth is more time-consuming, it will pay off with the perfect fitting and also protection of exactly those teeth and jaw areas that experience the most pressure, since the nightguards are individually made from special ultra-strong dental materials.

There are two custom-fitted mouth guard models available for patients with teeth-grinding habits. These are the nocturnal bite plate and bite splint. The final choice between these two models is to be made by your dentist in strict accordance with your related dental problems and oral care needs.

What Does A Night Guard Do For TMJ?

A mouth guard for TMJ helps TMJ in many ways. Teeth grinding can damage the teeth and supporting bones and muscles to cause pain in jaw joints. So the best night guard for clenching helps control the distribution of these forces while providing oral care pain relief. It also plays an important part to protect the wearing out of the tooth enamel because of teeth grinding.

Regular use of customized mouth guards also helps the patient break the habit by increasing the person’s awareness of the problem. The occlusal guard also evenly distributes grinding teeth forces to reduce the stress on any loose teeth. The mouth guard for teeth grinding also places the teeth at rest, and thus gives time for the bone to heal.

Sometimes the bite has to be adjusted for normal teeth functioning, which is accomplished with the regular use of the mouth guard. Depending on the severity of the condition the patient may have to wear night guards for several weeks to months. They may have to wear the occlusal guard 24 hours a day except while eating and cleaning, or in some cases, only at night for oral care pain relief.

How Much Is A Mouth Guard For Teeth Grinding?

If you wonder where to get a mouth guard for teeth grinding and how much a teeth guard costs, the rate depends on where, and the types of mouth guards you buy for your oral care. You can buy them from dentists, online stores and even sports stores, where each has their own share of personal care pros and cons.

The cost of night guard from dentist is typically between $300-$500 for a personalized one. They take a mold of your teeth and send it to a dental lab where technicians make a teeth grinding custom fit night guard to perfectly fit your teeth. It’s important that night guards fit your teeth perfectly as it’s only then that the teeth guard can protect your teeth too.

As a mouth guard from your dentist comes with a perfect fit, it’s considered the best night guard. So even though these customized mouth guards are not designed, like sports guards, they do offer maximum benefits and give good results in treating bruxism.

You can also buy customized mouth guards online costing $100-$200, and which can last anywhere between 6 months to 5 years. However, you are not sure that the customized mouth guard for teeth grinding will fit your teeth.

This is because you receive a kit that YOU have to use to make an impression. The kit comes with its instructions which you have to follow to make your mold, and then send the mold back to the company’s dental lab to make the mouthguard.

So if your impression that you get isn’t perfect, the customized mouth guards for teeth may not turn out perfect too! The lab technicians have only the mold to work on to make your nightguard, so if it’s faulty, your mouthguard obviously comes out faulty.

Sports mouth guards are the cheapest options available as they cost less than $20. However, if you wonder can you use a sports mouth guard for teeth grinding, then the answer to the question is NO.

They are not the right night mouth guard as they are not molded as per your teeth. Besides, they are usually large and uncomfortable to wear and will not be that useful to help stop grinding my teeth.

Some even make breathing difficult which leads to insomnia and sleep problems if used as a mouth guard for sleeping. They are meant only for protecting your teeth while playing dangerous contact sports, and not for treating bruxism.

Can Grinding Your Teeth Cause Loose Teeth?

Yes, teeth grinding can indeed loosen teeth and is often the main culprit for your damaged and loose teeth if you have healthy gums that are disease free. This is because teeth clenching wears the teeth out much more than normal biting forces.

Besides, the constant jaw movement rocks your teeth front and back. Prolonged and continuous rocking of the teeth stretches periodontal ligaments and loosens teeth in the process.

The amount of damage inflicted on the teeth depends on the amount of grinding that takes place. The harder you clench your teeth, and the longer you do it every night, the looser your teeth become.

This is why it is important that you stop teeth grinding if it’s the cause for your loose teeth. This “harmful” addiction of grinding your teeth can eventually lead to your teeth dropping off as most loosened teeth eventually fall off.

A mouth guard for teeth grinding is most effective at reducing teeth grinding, especially if used along with some muscle relaxants and mild pain medications for the pain in your teeth.

Once teeth grinding is reduced, your dentist will suggest wearing splints for securing the teeth so that the ligaments have time to heal. Sometimes counseling or similar psychological treatment will be necessary to help deal with oral care pain relief and any stress that is making you grind your teeth.

How Do Dentists Fix Ground Teeth?

Teeth grinding leads to dental health problems like jaw pain, flat, broken, sensitive or chipped teeth, headaches, tight jaw muscles, earaches, headaches, worn tooth enamel and facial pain. Based on the extremities of the case, your dentist will fix ground teeth using different methods.

Most of the time a mouth guard for teeth grinding is enough to protect your teeth and in the prevention of further teeth grinding and also to protect your teeth enamel and jaw. Sometimes reducing stress also helps as stress is a major trigger for clenching of your jaw.

However, if a bite problem is a reason for the ground teeth, then your dentist will have to use orthodontic treatment to move the teeth back to the right place. Once the source of orthodontics teeth grinding is addressed and treated, your dentist will resort to cosmetic treatments for treating ground teeth and your oral care.

Porcelain dental crowns are best for repairing broken, chipped and cracked teeth to give uniform and even teeth. They are in fact the most durable solution to ground teeth. Porcelain veneers help create a natural look of teeth by correcting the length, size and color of your teeth and give an amazing smile. Dental or cosmetic bonding is used for repairing teeth that’s chipped and jagged with grinding to give you the perfect smile with minimal invasiveness.

While porcelain veneers and crowns, and bonding are strong and durable, they will not be able to withstand the pressure of teeth grinding every night. This is why the teeth grinding habit has to be first stopped before treating it where continuously wearing a night guard is the best treatment choice. Wearing a night guard while sleeping will make sure you don’t grind your teeth while you’re asleep and end up only damaging your teeth.

How Should I Take Care Of My Mouth Guard For Grinding Teeth?

First of all, remember to clean your teeth protection appliance using toothpaste and toothbrush after each use, just as you do with your teeth during your regular oral hygiene routine. Then, rinse it with cold tap water or non-acidic mouthwash. Avoid high temperatures (hot surfaces, water, or direct sunlight) to avoid distorting the shape of your guard for grinding teeth: this applies to all types of mouth protectors with the exception of the boil-to-bite type.

Some models may require additional anti-germ protection, needing occasional soap and water cleaning. Place your guard for grinding teeth into its original packaging, which provides perfect ventilation, in order to ensure its cleanness, especially when travelling.

Be sure to carefully examine your teeth guard prior to each use. Stop using it whenever you notice any tear or holes and purchase a new one. In addition, let your dentist examine your mouth protection appliance during your routine dental check-ups.

Finally, remember that only a carefully chosen, well-fitting, damage-free, and clean nightguard will help you to avoid the possible complications outlined above, associated with the poor dental habit of grinding teeth.

How Do You Clean A Mouth Guard?

Regular care and cleaning of the mouth guard for teeth grinding help prolong its life so that the best dental guard serves you for a longer time. So make it a point to clean customized mouth guards with a toothbrush and toothpaste every morning after use. You can also clean the dental guard using soap and water, along with other cleaning options.

However it is better if you do not use any cleaner containing alcohol to clean the teeth protector as the alcohol reduces the mouth guard’s life. You can instead use a denture cleaning tablet for a deep clean of the night guard once a week. You just have to drop the tablet into a glass of water, and place your mouthguard in it.

Soaking the mouth guard in mouth rinse for anywhere between ten minutes to overnight is helpful for killing any germs in the mouthguard. It also gives the mouth guard a great taste. However, you do have to choose your rinse wisely as some of the rinses may contain chemicals what may stain night guards.

And if travelling, make sure the mouth guard for teeth grinding is completely dry before placing in its container. In fact, the storage case should be cleaned with soap and water, and dried before use.

A dirty and wet case will contaminate the mouth guard and lead to an oral infection or illness. And always store the nightguard in cold tap water when not in use as it helps fight against bacterial growth.

How to Clean Mouthguards: At Home, with Chemicals, and More

Nightguards can be a valuable tool when it comes to protecting your teeth from the harsh effects of grinding or clenching. If your dentist suspects that you are grinding or clenching in your sleep, a night guard may be recommended in order to prevent future damage.

Once you get a nightguard, it’s important that it’s cared for properly so that it can continue protecting your teeth for as long as possible. Your daily oral health routine should include cleaning your night guard. Follow these complete instructions for cleaning your night guard and it should stay in great shape for years to come!

Rinse Immediately After Wearing

Each time you wear your night guard you should rinse it with warm water as soon as you remove it from your mouth. This will remove debris and loosen any plaque that is stuck to the night guard.

Brush The Night Guard With Your Toothbrush

After rinsing, give your night guard a light brushing with your normal toothbrush. Some people prefer using a separate toothbrush just for their night guard, but its okay if you want to use the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth daily.

Note: You don’t need to apply toothpaste to the brush. Since toothpaste can be abrasive, it may scratch your night guard and cause it to wear out more quickly.

Lay Your Night Guard On A Clean Surface And Allow It To Dry Completely

It’s important to allow your night guard to dry completely before storing it as to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Choose a clean, flat surface to allow your night guard to dry. Typically it should dry within 15-30 minutes.

Always Store Your Night Guard In A Case

When you are not wearing your night guard it is important that you keep it stored in a case. Many people store their night guard in their bathroom, but over time the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause the night guard to warp. We recommend that you keep the night guard stored in your bedroom or on your nightstand instead.

Deep Clean Your Night Guard Weekly

Make a habit of deep cleaning your night guard as least once a week. This can be done several ways. The first is by using an over-the-counter denture cleaner. Simply place your night guard in a glass or bowl with water and allow the cleaner to dissolve completely into the water.

The second way to deep clean your night guard is by using a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Soak the night guard in distilled white vinegar for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the night guard and the bowl with water. Then soak the night guard in hydrogen peroxide for at least 30 more minutes. Once finished, rinse with water and allow the night guard to dry completely.

The final way you can deep clean your night guard is to use a mixture of mouthwash and water. Pour a capful of mouthwash into a glass or bowl and then dilute with water until the night guard is submerged in the solution. Let your night guard soak for about 30 minutes and then rinse the night guard and allow it to dry completely on a clean flat surface.

Pro Tip: Don’t ever leave your night guard soaking in anything for longer than one hour. Extended time in liquid can damage the material your night guard is made out of.

Keep Your Case Clean

Cleaning your night guard can become a wasted effort if you put a clean night guard into a dirty case. Keep the case clean by hand washing it every few days with regular dishwashing detergent. Avoid placing the case in the dishwasher as the high temperature may melt or warp the plastic. After washing, allow the case to dry as to prevent bacteria growth. Plastic night guard cases do wear out over time, so we recommend replacing your case every 6-12 months or as needed.

Bring Your Night Guard To Your Dental Appointments

It’s always a good idea to bring your night guard with you to your regular dental hygiene appointments. Good dentists prefer that you bring your night guard with you because it gives them an opportunity to inspect your night guard for signs of wear and to help ensure that it is continuing to fit properly.  In some cases, they may be able to professionally clean the night guard for you as well!

Conclusion

Cleaning your night guard properly may sound overwhelming, but once you get used to the routine it should be a breeze! Do you have any questions about keeping your night guard clean? What is your preferred method of deep cleaning your night guard? Leave us a note in the comments below to let us know!

How Can You Stop Sleep Apnea?

While it’s not possible to completely stop sleep apnea, losing weight helps reduce its symptoms. The obese have extra tissue in the back of their throat which falls on the airway to block air flow into lungs while sleeping. Reducing alcohol consumption, limiting the use of sleeping pills or sedatives and quitting smoking not only improves your health but also help treat sleep apnea.

CPAP involves wearing a pressurized mask on the nose while sleeping does give relief from sleep apnea, but most find it cumbersome and so don’t stick to it. Oral appliances like mandibular advancement splints worn while sleeping creates a continuous open airway. It moves the lower jaw forward and increases the space behind the tongue to help in the prevention of snoring while sleeping.

While surgery also helps, it has its side effects, which is why it’s used as a last resort to treat sleep apnea. The surgery enlarges the airway through the nose or throat. It is the only option for treating sleep apnea if you can’t tolerate CPAP or oral appliances, and find it difficult to lose weight.

Can I Use A Mouth Guard For Braces Top And Bottom?

After investing so much for your braces for your oral care, it’s normal that you want to wear it for as long as possible. While normal use will not do much harm to your braces, people active in sports and who are involved in risky and dangerous jobs or hobbies have a higher potential of getting injured and damaging their braces. So a mouth guard for teeth grinding works more like a comfort night guard for your braces in these situations.

Before using a night guard for braces, it’s better to ask your coach or instructor which type of a mouth guard you should wear. You have a boil-and-bite type and a customized mouthguard as your options.

However of the two, the dental guard made by your dentist may be a better option. This is because some sports players insurance provides injury coverage only if the mouth guard for teeth grinding is an orthodontic nightguard made by a dentist.

Orthodontic mouth guard for teeth grinding offers the best protection as they are made of high-grade silicone. The lower mouth guard for teeth grinding also has large rubber flanges that reach under the lips. The benefit of this design for your personal care is that it helps prevent them ending up pushed into brackets.

Can Bruxism Go Away?

You can’t exactly say that bruxism treatments can or will stop bruxism as there is no complete cure for it. However, the right management and treatment techniques help manage and slowly reduce its occurrence.

Regular use of customized mouth guard for teeth grinding which make clenching teeth difficult, and reducing any stress you have through meditation, stress-management, counseling or hypnotherapy helps.

In addition to this, regular jaw exercises also help as it strengthens the jaw. A strong jaw helps reduce the symptoms of bruxism and thus helps at treating and the prevention of unnecessary dental work. In other words, with some effort to reduce your stress or any other trigger for bruxism, and wearing a dental protector every night for some time will go a long way at stopping bruxism.

Roughly 10% to 20% of adults in the U.S. experience bruxism, or chronic nocturnal teeth grinding and/or jaw clenching (although some surveys put the figure at more than 30%). Bruxism is also fairly common in children, with one-third of parents reporting at least one child in their household who grinds their teeth on a regular basis. Bruxism can lead to potentially painful complications such as chronic jaw soreness, headaches, and chipped teeth. Additionally, new sleep research suggests a link between nighttime teeth grinding, also known as sleep bruxism, and sleep apnea, a condition characterized by temporary loss of breath during sleep.

If you are one of those heavy bruxers, using Archtek Grind Guard- Bonus pack would prove to be a perfect solution to your problem.

Night guards for teeth grinding can help treat bruxism in a simple and effective way. To get a night guard, you can have your dentist make a guard that is custom- made from the mold of your mouth. However, if you planning to buy a night guard from a pharmacy, considering factors such as fit, durability, flexibility and cost of the oral device will help you get the right one.

Why Mouth Guards Are Essential To Stop Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding can cause serious damage to your teeth, which is why it’s important to wear a dental mouth guard at night.

As we explained in our post comparing dentist custom mouth guards vs. store-bought mouth guards, many store brand mouth guards won’t cut it – ideally, custom formed dental mouth guards are the best solution for how to stop teeth grinding.

Professional custom mouth guards from your dentist can cost anywhere from $400-$800, but one little-known secret is that you can actually order these custom mouth guards yourself for 70-90% less.

We will show you how and which teeth grinding mouth guards are best.

How to Order A Custom Teeth Grinding Mouthguard

You can get the same dentist-quality custom mouth guards for teeth grinding (at a much cheaper price) by buying online through private dental labs (often you’re dealing with the very same labs that create mouth guards for dentist offices).

You simply place an order through the dental lab, use the kit they send to take a mold impression of your teeth, and send the mold back for them to create your custom teeth grinding mouth guard.

These mouth guards will not only stop you from grinding your teeth, but will also help align your jaw into a normal, natural position that will fight teeth grinding long term.

How Pro Teeth Guard Works

1. Place an order from the Pro Teeth Guard website, and you’ll receive an easy-to-use impression mold kit, along with simple instructions.

2. Take an impression of your teeth with the included putty material, which will capture the exact positioning and shape of your teeth.

3. Send your teeth impression mold back to Pro Teeth Guard with the pre-addressed, pre-paid packaging provided. Your custom dental guard will be crafted by experienced dental experts, and each dental night guard is inspected by one of their head dental lab managers, who have 20+ years experience in the dental industry.

4. Sit back and wait for your custom night guard to arrive in the mail.

Everything You Need to Know to Stop Teeth Grinding

As is often the case with teeth grinding, you probably don’t even know you’re doing it. That makes it harder to identify whether you have this condition or not. However, we here at Beautisdom have come up with this useful guide to help you find out about everything you need to know on how to stop teeth grinding.

First and foremost, the reason that you don’t know whether you’re doing it or not is because that most cases of teeth grinding – although there are very few exceptions to this – happen in the middle of sleep.

To make matters even more complicated, not a lot of research has been done regarding this phenomenon, which makes it even more difficult to identify and ultimately stop. Not to worry, though: we can work with what we’ve got!

What We Know So Far

Despite lacking some research in this particular topic, experts do have a proper term for this rather unsettling phenomenon: Bruxism. This condition is described as the act of either clenching or grinding your teeth, or both while sleeping.

Now, having occasional bruxism is not considered a serious matter. However, the more often it occurs in a person, the more risks he or she is in of suffering from other complications that stem from this.

It’s actually pretty surprising to find out that there are millions upon millions of people who have a case of bruxism around the world and aren’t even aware.

And that’s what makes bruxism so hard to diagnose and treat: you won’t know whether you have it or not, considering that you’re asleep when it occurs. And, like we said earlier, not a lot of research has been done on the matter; we’re only currently finding new info about it.

For one, researchers have initially thought that the main cause of teeth grinding among people is stress. However, newer information has come to light and we can now discover that stress is simply but one of the many possible causes of bruxism.

Oh, and if you think that this only happens during sleep, then prepare to find out about what we’re going to tell you next.

The Unusual Cases of Daytime Bruxism

While not exactly identical to regular bruxism, daytime bruxism bears a number of similarities with its nighttime counterpart. However, let’s start with their differences in order to properly distinguish between the two.

First, you should know that cases of nighttime bruxism more often than not involve the act of grinding your teeth against each other. On the other hand, people who suffer from daytime bruxism are more prone to clenching their jaws and putting a lot of pressure on their teeth.

Despite daytime bruxism being more unusual, you won’t be surprised to find out that it is indeed more reported by people who suffer from it. After all, it happens during times when they are awake, which means they’re fully aware of what’s happening.

So, what does this say about nighttime bruxism? Well, it means that apart from having a higher chance of having the condition, it’s a lot harder to identify!

To be clear, though, one condition is not inclusive of the other. This means that you could suffer one or the other, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have both.

On the other hand, they are not mutually exclusive, so it is completely possible to have both. In such a case, that’s something that really needs immediate care and attention.

So, How Do We Know If We Grind Our Teeth At Night?

We’re going right off the bat and say it: this is a very tricky thing to do. In fact, it is more than likely that you’ll find out about the results that come from teeth grinding rather than the symptoms of the condition itself.

So, why is this? As we mentioned, you’re asleep when you do it, so that’s one thing that makes matters really hard. But, to be more specific, it’s because our brains are wired to stray away from anything that gives us discomfort, so what happens is we end up getting used to and adapting to the condition. As such, it makes bruxism all the more difficult to pinpoint.

On the other hand, here are the things that could happen if you do in fact have a regular case of bruxism.

• You tend to have a dry mouth more often
• In some severe cases, the clenching or grinding becomes so loud that it can wake you up
• Your teeth can get loose
• Your teeth gets damaged
• You can even lose some of your teeth
• Your teeth and gums become more sensitive, which is painful
• Gums get swollen, inflamed or could even recede
• You’ll notice that there’s tightness to your jaw, which can cause pain in your whole face. Worse, this can even lead to a case of lockjaw.
• Your salivary glands can get blocked
• You’ll have neck and shoulder pains
• Your ears may ache or ring, which can lead to loss of hearing.

If you’ll notice, a lot of the effects of teeth clenching and grinding affect numerous parts of your body, especially the ones close to your face. This is one of the reasons that diagnosing bruxism is difficult even for the most experienced of medical professionals.

The Cause of Teeth Grinding

It’s been generally accepted that bruxism comes from high anxiety and stress levels, but this is by far not conclusive at all. A lot of reasons have been surmised by experts around the world, including genetics and a host of infectious diseases. But, again, none of these are a definite answer.

What current information can tell us, on the other hand, is that teeth grinding and clenching is triggered by our nervous system. More often than not, it’s been linked to psychological issues, such as stress sensitivity, depression, and hostility.

However, we can’t simply dismiss bruxism as a simple disorder; researchers hypothesize that it is possible that this is some form of evolutionary trait we humans have developed in order to keep ourselves from suffocating while we sleep.

In such a case, this means that we grind our teeth to keep our airways open, implying that they’re being blocked in the first place. If our airways are indeed blocked, then that means we could be suffering from sleep apnea.

The Problem with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is another disorder that is just as difficult to identify and diagnose as teeth grinding. Here are some of the effects of this pesky sleep condition:

• You have mental fatigue during waking hours
• You get migraines and headaches
• It could lead to mental issues
• You’ll notice that you’re more out of breath during waking hours
• It can cause metabolic syndrome, which can fluctuate your weight dramatically
• It can lead to type II diabetes
• You can get a whole host of problems, such as acid reflux, high blood pressure, heart disease, and liverproblems because of sleep apnea.

Halting Bruxism

As we said a while ago, occasional bruxism is something that is bearable and may therefore not need any treatment. However, in cases where you are able to notice that it happens frequently, there are ways to impede it.

• Avoid consuming heavy doses of nicotine, caffeine, or alcohol
• Use a mouthguard prescribed by a doctor, as these things can protect your teeth and gums from the pressure that comes from bruxism.
• In some cases, your doctor may prescribe that you use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to regulate your breathing during sleep.

Of course, it is best to have yourself checked by a medical professional to find out exactly if you do have a case of bruxism or sleep apnea. In any case, always keep safe!

How Can I Stop Grinding My Teeth Naturally?

The truth is that this is a challenging thing that is hardly done naturally without putting any serious effort into it. The reason is that it is a process which tends to happen unconsciously and often – while we sleep. This is why using a nightguard is probably the best thing to consider.

Can They Help With Snoring?

Yes, a nightguard could potentially help you with snoring. The reason for this is that they would eventually help you adjust the position of your jaw in a natural and comfortable one who would attribute to a good night of sleep without any snoring.

Are There Any Negatives To Using Them?

If we have to be completely honest, wearing a nightguard could be quite bothersome at first. This is because you are not used to it. However, as time passes and you get accustomed, and you’ll quickly see its benefits. The piece will help you get rid of one of the most annoying conditions and rectify quite a lot of consequential hurdles as well.

FAQ

How to use mouth guard for grinding teeth?

The general rule for using a nightguard to stop teeth grinding in sleep is to wear it every single night from the moment you climb into bed until the time your head hits the pillow again. It’s important that you get used to wearing a mouth guard while sleeping so that your muscles and jaw are accustomed to not contracting, clenching or moving as much when resting. If you have any sort of underlying health conditions then do not take medical advice from a self help article but instead seek help from a professional.

How much does a mouth guard for teeth grinding cost?

This is a very common question. Dental mouth guards for teeth grinding can cost anywhere from $100 to nearly $1,000 depending on the type and brand you choose. The average cost of a custom-fitted dental appliance is approximately $300 in most U.S. cities or suburbs. Average costs may vary by region however so be sure to ask your dentist if they are able to give you an estimate on what it would cost for custom fitted oral appliance that will stop bruxism caused by stress, anxiety or a combination of both factors combined.

How much does treatment for sleep bruxism cost?

The average price of treating teeth grinding in sleep with counseling is around $500 per year but prices can vary by location and your particular medical plan. Your dentist may be able to provide you with ballpark figures on what it would cost for a non-surgical, customized oral splint that could stop your sleep bruxism symptoms.

Most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of treating teeth grinding in sleep or provide benefits that help pay for any type of mouth guard needed to treat jaw locking during sleep . Therefore most people will need to pay the full amount out of pocket whether they are covered by state or federal health care.

The good news is that prices can vary widely from city to city and even within cities so it is worth shopping around when trying to find the best deal near you. Always see if you can get two different quotes since this allows for more bargaining power when asking for lower prices on dental appliances that prevent teeth grinding in sleep.

If you are planning to pay out of pocket for treating bruxism symptoms it is important to understand your insurance benefits or overall household budget so you will have a clear understanding if there is wiggle room in the price range you need to stay within. Always remember that any type of oral appliance used for treating teeth grinding in sleep must always be made from durable material and fit properly so splintering, breaking and causing further damage to teeth enamel occurs as little as possible.

The cost of trying splints for teeth grinding cannot be measured solely by the price tag attached but also by the overall relief it brings as well. It may take up to a few weeks before you notice any improvement in symptoms and for the muscles to start to relax enough at night that teeth grinding has stopped completely.

As long as you are making slow progress towards feeling better in general, it may be worth paying out of pocket since dental devices such as night guards do not have a short shelf life and can last years if properly maintained.

The average price of treating your sleep bruxism with splints will change depending on the dentist office’s location but also because prices may vary from state to state, city to city or even zip code to zip code. When shopping around for a mouth guard dentist near me, always ask around about average pricing so you get an idea what you might owe before going into any appointment. It is wise to consult with dental insurance companies and find out which plans are the most affordable for your individual situation.

If you do not have health care coverage then try to get two or three quotes from different locations near where you live to see what the differences in price are before you make a final decision on who to trust. If possible, ask around and check online reviews so you know if any dentist office has been officially investigated for malpractice cases before making your final choice. The last thing that anyone wants is to end up in pain or distress because they were rushed into dental treatment they could not afford or didn’t truly understand.

A homemade mouth guard for teeth grinding?

A cheap homemade mouthguard can be made at home with items you probably already have on hand, The most well-known material used for making a homemade nightguard to stop bruxism has been elastics. However, it’s also possible to use other materials such as water balloons and the like if you do not feel comfortable using elastic bands.

If you decide to make a DIY night guard out of some sort of rubber band, take care not to leave any sharp ends that could poke into your gums or cheeks while wearing it during the day or night time. The best kind of elastic material will be soft but sturdy enough so that it can support all of the user’s teeth when they wear it in their mouth.

Best Dental Night Guards

Wearing a mouth guard while you sleep might not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it’s better than ignoring the issue. Continuous teeth grinding could cause structural damage to the overall integrity of your jaw which would only further the issues and makes them much worse.

This is why you ought to take what we’ve just been through into account and make sure to pick the best night guard out there. This would help you get rid of your issues in a manner that’s far more convenient than you’d expect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls3c430R0fE

Causes and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Everything You Need to Know

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a dental condition where an individual grinds their teeth unconsciously while sleeping or even while they are awake. It is a common issue that affects millions of people of all ages worldwide. Bruxism can result in a lot of dental problems such as tooth decay, jaw pain, headaches, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the causes and symptoms of bruxism.

The major cause of bruxism is stress and anxiety. People who deal with anxiety and stress are more likely to grind their teeth. Dental problems such as misaligned teeth and gum disease can also lead to bruxism. Additionally, medications and drug abuse can contribute to bruxism. Alcohol and caffeine consumption before bedtime can also increase the risk of developing bruxism.

The symptoms of bruxism differ from person to person. However, the most common symptom is tooth grinding and clenching. This can be heard by a partner while sleeping. Also, pain and stiffness of the jaw are common symptoms. Teeth sensitivity and damage to tooth enamel are also signs of bruxism. Headaches, earaches, and facial pain are other common symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek dental care immediately.

In conclusion, bruxism is a common dental condition that affects many individuals. Understanding the causes and symptoms of bruxism will help you take preventive measures and treat the condition accordingly. If you suspect that you are suffering from bruxism, it’s important to seek dental care immediately to prevent further dental problems.