Night guards for grinding, clenching and jaw pain.
Most people who grind their teeth do it asleep and don't know it. A custom night guard takes the force so your teeth, crowns and implants don't.
Signs you might be grinding
- Sore jaw or tired face muscles in the morning
- Headaches, especially at the temples, when you wake up
- Teeth that look flat, chipped or shorter than they used to
- A jaw that clicks, pops or locks
- Sensitive teeth with no cavity to explain it
- Someone hears you grinding at night
Why it matters
Grinding and clenching put far more force on your teeth than chewing does, for hours at a time. Over the years that wears enamel away, cracks teeth, breaks fillings and crowns, and strains the jaw joint (TMJ) and muscles.
We look for the signs at every exam. Often we can see the wear long before you feel it.
Custom or store-bought?
A store-bought guard is soft and roughly shaped, and many people end up chewing on it, which can make clenching worse. A custom guard is made from a scan or mold of your teeth. It fits exactly, stays thin, and we adjust it so your bite meets it evenly and your jaw can relax.
After a crown or implant
A night guard is the best protection for work you've invested in. We recommend one after an implant in particular: implants are fixed straight into bone and don't cushion force the way natural teeth do. A guard also keeps your teeth from shifting.
Getting one
Two short visits: one to scan or mold your teeth, and one to fit and adjust the guard. Bring it to your checkups and we'll make sure it still fits.
No dental insurance? The Sound Dental Plan takes 15% off night guards.