Mouth Guards/ Night Guards

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Teeth Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) can lead to long-term damage to teeth. Continuous grinding will wear down the surfaces of the teeth and could lead to exposing the secondary layer (dentin) or even the nerve. Some of the possible outcomes from grinding:

• Chipped teeth
• Severe wear/ wear patterns
• Cracked tooth enamel leading to a filling or a crown
• Broken fillings and crowns
• Tooth loss due to fracture
• Gum recession
• Abfractions (notching of the tooth at the gum line due to mechanical stress from excess pressure)
• Nerve damage to the tooth requiring a root canal

Types of Mouth Guards

Lab-made Guard
These guards are made in a professional dental lab and are designed custom to put your teeth in an ideal position upon closure. They are expensive, but the most comfortable and effective.

Custom-fitted
These are made specifically for you by your dentist in-house. They are designed to be thinner and have less bulk than a lab-made guard making them more ideal than an over-the-counter option.

Over the Counter Boil and Bite
These mouth guards can be bought at many drugstores and offer some protection. They are a less expensive option but they also provide less protection than the other alternatives.

Sports Guards
These guards are custom made in-office for protection during sporting events.

The best night guard is one that is made by your dentist customized specifically for you. If finances are a concern, an over-the-counter fitted mouth guard is a better alternative than no protection.