By Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH · Last updated: 1 Oct 2026
Quick answer: A night guard for teeth grinding is a thin, custom-fitted plastic appliance you wear while you sleep. It does not usually stop grinding (bruxism) itself, but it puts a protective layer between your upper and lower teeth, so the guard wears down instead of your enamel, crowns or veneers. Many people also notice less jaw tension and fewer morning headaches. A custom night guard from a dentist fits better and lasts longer than a store-bought guard, typically several years, and usually costs $300 to $800.
Key takeaways
- Most people who grind at night do not know they do it until a partner or dentist notices.
- A night guard protects teeth; managing stress, caffeine, alcohol and sleep problems helps reduce the grinding itself.
- Hard guards suit heavy grinders, soft guards suit light clenching, and hybrid guards sit in between.
- If you snore or might have sleep apnea, tell your dentist before getting a guard.
- Veneers, crowns and implants need protection from grinding even more than natural teeth.
I see the effects of night-time grinding every week: flattened edges, small chips, cracked fillings and jaws that ache first thing in the morning. Most of these patients had no idea they were grinding. The good news is that a well-made night guard is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your teeth. Here is what you need to know before you get one.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. It happens in two ways:
- Sleep bruxism: grinding or clenching while you sleep. This is the type a night guard is designed for.
- Awake bruxism: clenching during the day, often when concentrating or stressed.
Mayo Clinic explains that bruxism usually comes from a mix of physical, psychological and genetic factors, and that sleep bruxism is linked with other sleep problems such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Common causes and triggers
- Stress, anxiety and a busy, high-pressure lifestyle
- Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea
- Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
- Some medicines, including certain antidepressants and ADHD medications
- A family history of grinding
- Bite problems or missing teeth
The ADA’s MouthHealthy site notes that people who smoke or drink alcohol or coffee are about twice as likely to grind their teeth.
Signs You Grind Your Teeth at Night
- Jaw pain or tightness when you wake up
- Dull headaches around the temples in the morning
- Flat, worn or chipped tooth edges
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold as enamel wears down. See why a tooth is sensitive to cold.
- Grinding sounds your partner hears at night
- Scalloped edges on your tongue or a white line inside your cheeks
- Cracked fillings or crowns with no obvious cause
- Clicking or aching jaw joint. See TMJ and jaw pain.
If your jaw pain is mostly on one side, our guide to why your jaw hurts on one side covers the possible causes.
What Grinding Does to Your Teeth Over Time
Left unprotected, night-time grinding can lead to:
- Enamel worn down to the softer, yellower dentin underneath
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Cracked fillings, crowns and veneers
- Teeth that look shorter and older
- Sore jaw muscles and TMJ problems
- Extra stress on dental implants, which can loosen screws or chip crowns
Repairing this damage often costs far more than a night guard.
How Does a Night Guard Work?
A night guard covers the biting surfaces of your upper or lower teeth. When you grind or clench:
- The guard takes the wear instead of your teeth
- A smooth surface lets your jaw glide rather than lock in a clench
- Forces are spread more evenly across the teeth and jaw joints
Cleveland Clinic notes that most people who grind their teeth can ease their symptoms with a custom mouth guard, and that it can place the jaw in a more favourable position to reduce muscle strain.
Will a night guard stop me grinding? Usually not completely. Its main job is protection. Reducing the causes, such as stress, late caffeine, alcohol and untreated sleep problems, is what lowers the grinding itself.
Custom Night Guard vs Store-Bought: Which Is Better?
| Custom night guard from a dentist | Boil-and-bite or stock guard | |
| Fit | Made from a scan or impressions of your teeth | Approximate, often bulky |
| Bite balance | Adjusted so teeth meet evenly | Not checked, can strain the jaw |
| Comfort | Thin, easier to sleep in | Thicker, may fall out at night |
| Durability | Usually several years | Often months |
| Checked for problems | Yes, including bite and sleep issues | No |
| Cost | Higher upfront | Low upfront, replaced more often |
Cleveland Clinic notes that custom mouthguards can last several years with proper care, while store-bought guards may need replacing much more often.
What about online “custom” guards? Some companies mail you an impression kit and post a guard back. They can be better than boil-and-bite guards, but nobody examines your teeth, checks your bite or looks for signs of sleep apnea or damaged teeth. For people with crowns, veneers, implants or jaw pain, a dentist-made guard is the safer choice.
Types of Night Guards: Hard, Soft or Hybrid?
| Type | Feels like | Best for | Lifespan |
| Soft | Flexible, rubbery | Light clenching, occasional grinding | Often 1 to 2 years |
| Hard acrylic | Rigid, thin, smooth | Moderate to heavy grinding, people with crowns or veneers | Often 3 to 5 years or more |
| Hybrid (dual-laminate) | Soft inside, hard outside | Moderate grinding when comfort matters | Often 2 to 4 years |
Soft guards can sometimes encourage chewing in heavy grinders, so hard or hybrid guards are usually better for strong grinding. Your dentist will recommend a type based on the wear on your teeth and your jaw symptoms.
Upper or lower? Both work. Upper guards are more common. A lower guard may be more comfortable if you have a strong gag reflex.
Night Guards, Cosmetic Work and Implants
If you have veneers, crowns, bonding or implants, a night guard is one of the best ways to protect that investment. Porcelain is strong, but repeated grinding can chip it, and bonding wears faster still. We recommend a guard for most patients who grind after a smile makeover. Our guide on how to maintain results after cosmetic dental treatment explains more.
Night Guards and TMJ
A night guard can ease morning jaw pain for many people by relaxing the muscles and reducing clenching force. It is not a cure for every jaw joint problem, and some TMJ cases need a different type of splint, physical therapy or other care. If your jaw clicks, locks or hurts during the day, see our TMJ and jaw pain page or book an exam.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea: An Important Check
Grinding is often linked to disturbed breathing during sleep. If you snore loudly, wake up tired, or someone has noticed pauses in your breathing, tell your dentist before getting a night guard. A standard guard is not a treatment for sleep apnea, and you may need a sleep evaluation or a different appliance. See our snoring appliances page.
Getting a Custom Night Guard: Step by Step
- Exam. We look at the wear on your teeth, your bite, your jaw joints and any crowns, veneers or implants.
- Scan or impressions. A quick digital scan or impressions of your teeth.
- Lab fabrication. Your guard is made in a dental lab, usually within one to two weeks.
- Fitting. We check the fit and adjust the biting surface so your teeth meet evenly.
- Follow-up. At your regular dental exam, we check the guard for wear and adjust it if needed.
Getting used to it: most people adapt within one to two weeks. Mild jaw or tooth pressure in the first few mornings is common. If it feels tight, painful or changes how your teeth meet during the day, we adjust it.
How Much Does a Night Guard Cost?
A custom night guard typically costs $300 to $800, depending on the type and material. Soft guards are at the lower end, and hard or hybrid guards at the higher end. Some dental plans cover part of the cost when grinding damage is documented. See understanding dental insurance and our payment options.
For comparison, repairing a single cracked crown often costs more than a night guard.
How to Clean and Care for Your Night Guard
- Rinse it in cool water as soon as you take it out
- Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, not toothpaste, which scratches it
- Air-dry it fully before putting it back in its case
- Store it in a vented case, away from pets, who love to chew them
- Never use hot water or leave it in a hot car, as heat warps it
- Soak it occasionally in a cleaner made for dental appliances
- Bring it to your checkups so we can inspect it
When to replace your night guard
- Holes, cracks or thin spots worn through
- It no longer fits snugly or feels loose
- A bad smell or discolouration that cleaning will not remove
- New dental work, such as crowns or implants, that changes the fit
Habits That Help Reduce Grinding
- Cut back on caffeine in the afternoon and alcohol in the evening
- Wind down before bed with a regular routine
- Notice daytime clenching and keep “lips together, teeth apart”
- Avoid chewing gum, pens and ice
- Use a warm compress on sore jaw muscles
- Ask about a sleep evaluation if you snore
For stubborn jaw muscle tension, some people benefit from muscle-relaxing injections. Ask whether therapeutic Botox is an option for you.
Get Your Custom Night Guard
At ConfiDental Beverly Hills, we design custom night guards around your bite, your grinding pattern and any cosmetic or implant work you have. Learn more on our custom night guards page.
Book a night guard consultation: Contact us or call (310) 858-9212. Our office is at 9615 Brighton Way #222, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do night guards really work for teeth grinding?
Yes, for protecting your teeth. A night guard takes the wear and pressure that would otherwise damage your enamel, fillings, crowns and veneers. Many people also have less jaw pain and fewer morning headaches. It usually does not stop the grinding habit completely.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Common signs are morning jaw soreness, headaches around the temples, worn or chipped teeth, tooth sensitivity, and a partner hearing you grind. Your dentist can often spot grinding wear during a routine exam.
Is a hard or soft night guard better?
Hard night guards are usually better for moderate to heavy grinding and for people with crowns or veneers. Soft guards can suit light clenching. Hybrid guards combine a soft inside with a hard outside.
Is a night guard supposed to feel uncomfortable at first?
It may feel strange and slightly tight for the first week or two. It should not cause sharp pain or change how your teeth fit together during the day. If it does, your dentist can adjust it.
How long does a custom night guard last?
Most custom night guards last several years. Hard acrylic guards often last 3 to 5 years or more, while soft guards may need replacing sooner, especially for heavy grinders.
Can a night guard fix TMJ?
A night guard can relieve jaw muscle pain for many people, but it does not cure all jaw joint problems. Some TMJ cases need a different splint, physical therapy or other treatment.
Can I use a sports mouthguard as a night guard?
No. Sports guards are thicker and designed to absorb impact. The ADA notes that night guards are not the same as sports guards. A sports guard can be uncomfortable for sleep and may not keep your bite balanced.
Does insurance cover a night guard?
Some dental plans cover part of the cost, especially when grinding damage is documented. Coverage varies, so we check your benefits before you order.
Can children wear night guards?
Children often grind their teeth and many outgrow it without lasting damage. Night guards are not usually recommended while the teeth and jaws are still growing, but a dentist should check any child with heavy wear or jaw pain.
How do I clean my night guard?
Rinse it after each use, brush it gently with mild soap and a soft brush, let it air-dry and keep it in a vented case. Avoid hot water and toothpaste, which can warp or scratch it.
About the Author
Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH leads ConfiDental Beverly Hills. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California. In more than 15 years of practice she has completed over 1,000 implant procedures and focuses on full-mouth restoration, complex cases and prevention-first care.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Symptoms and Causes.
- Cleveland Clinic. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism).
- Cleveland Clinic. Mouth Guards: Types and Purpose.
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Teeth Grinding.
This article is for general education and does not replace a dental examination.