Those morning headaches and sore jaw aren’t going away, and Google (or your dentist) tells you the likely culprit is teeth grinding. This condition, better known as bruxism in the dental community, happens in up to 31% of the global adult population, which isn’t too surprising when you find out it’s highly linked to stress and anxiety. While other factors can cause it, like genetics, medications, and lifestyle habits, stress is the number one reason.
The good news is that wearing a night guard is a quick and easy way to make those annoying symptoms disappear. The not-so-great news is that there are many different types of night guards, and you need to find one stat.
Ready for a quick breakdown of night guards so you can choose the one that’s right for you? This article has you covered!
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Night Guards
When you need a fast solution to teeth grinding and don’t mind a bulkier fit, OTC mouthguards are a great start. These versions come in boil-and-bite and one-size-fits-all designs. They’re affordable, often ranging from $25-$75, but they also have some downsides.
Because they aren’t made exactly for your unique smile, they don’t give you the protection that a custom-made night guard grants. In some cases, this ill-fit leads to uneven pressure distribution from grinding and can even cause your teeth to shift over time, causing more harm than good.
The material isn’t as high quality as you’d get from a professional lab, either, so it’s easy to bite through. You’ll replace the OTC guard more frequently than a lab-fabricated appliance.
In general, over-the-counter drugstore night guards are an ideal stopgap solution while you’re waiting for a custom-fit device, and can work in a pinch if cost is a factor. But for long-term value, comfort, protection, and durability, a professional night guard is the way to go.
Professional Night Guards
For a precision fit, durability, and comfort that lets you sleep all night while you’re wearing a night guard, professional-grade options take the top spot.
Unlike OTC versions, professional night guards are custom-made using detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth to ensure an exact fit. Why is this important? The fit determines how the pressure from jaw clenching and teeth grinding is distributed across your teeth.
Uneven pressure means one specific location of your mouth is feeling the strain, which can lead to cracked and chipped teeth, enamel wear, and damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Shopping for Professional Night Guards
Traditionally, custom-made night guards are provided through your dentist’s office, but that’s not the only place you can shop for them anymore. Direct-to-consumer night guards are available online, and, depending on where you order them from, they can be just as good as getting one straight from the dentist’s chair.
Dental Office Night Guards
If you opt for the dental professional route, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab, where a high-quality night guard is fabricated using medical-grade materials. These guards are designed to withstand the force of bruxism, so they’re great for moderate to severe grinding.
Professional guards come in multiple versions: hard, soft, and hybrid (dual-laminate) for varying grinding severity. Soft guards are good for those with sensitive mouths and mild grinding, while dual-laminate guards are made with a soft inner layer and a harder outer shell, making them great for moderate to severe grinding. Bruxers with severe grinding may need a hard acrylic night guard to hold up to the intense forces. (See this article by JS Dental Lab for more information on night guard types.)
Another advantage is that they’re thinner and more comfortable than store-bought options, so you’re more likely to wear them. But the drawback of dentist-made night guards is the cost. They can range from $300-$800 or more, depending on materials used, your location, and office visits. If you don’t have dental insurance that covers these appliances, this price tag may be a barrier to your perfect night guard.
Online Dental Lab Night Guards
Many online dental labs use the same types of materials and designs that dentists rely on, but they cut out the expensive office visits and overhead. Instead, the company mails you an impression kit, walks you through taking the impressions yourself, and fabricates your custom-fit night guard from those. The result is a strong middle-ground option for those looking for professional-level protection at a more affordable price.
Custom night guards from online dental labs offer a balance of comfort, durability, and precision for grinding without complex dental conditions. If your bruxism is easily managed without supervision, a professional night guard may be the best value.
However, if your grinding goes along with dental health issues, severe TMJ disorders, or other conditions, getting a night guard from your dentist, who can monitor your progress and help you if side effects occur, is wise.
Conclusion
Choosing the right night guard comes down to your needs, your budget, and how serious your teeth grinding symptoms are. Over-the-counter options can provide quick, temporary relief, but they lack long-term protection and comfort. Custom night guards, whether from the dentist or a reliable online dental lab, are the solution that provides the combination of a precise fit, better durability, and comfort for greater effectiveness and long-term value.
If you’re dealing with ongoing jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth, investing in a high-quality night guard may be exactly what you need to stop the grinding and start feeling better.
