Teeth grinding can be one of the most frustrating and uncomfortable things to experience. Especially when you wake up the next day, to your mouth and jaw feeling sore.
Fortunately, you do not have to suffer with teeth grinding (bruxism) as there are tons of solutions out there to stop teeth grinding. One of the best solutions is getting a night guard to prevent your upper and lower teeth coming into contact when you are asleep.
In this article, we’ll provide our top recommendations for the ‘8 Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding.’
Summary of our picks:
| Night Guard | Our Rating |
| Pro Teeth Guard | Best Overall |
| Brux Night Guard | Best Value For Money |
| Sentinel Mouth Guard | Best For Light Grinding |
| Chomper Labs Hybrid Night Guard | Best For Moderate to Severe Grinding |
| Shock Doctor Braces Mouth Guard | Best For Braces |
| DenTek Comfort-Fit Dental Guard | Best No-Boil |
| Pro Teeth Guard | Best Custom-fitted Option |
What Is A Night Guard?
Night guard, also known as mouth guard, is a dental appliance used to protect the teeth from injuries caused by teeth grinding or playing sports. It can also be used to treat snoring problems. There are many different types of night guards that can be worn by both children and adults, for the upper teeth and lower teeth.
Reasons To Use A Night Guard
There are many reasons as to why you may want to consider using a night guard. It could be for oral health issues or for overall well-being. Some of the most common reasons includes:
Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a condition whereby the person grinds, clenches or gnashes his or her teeth [1]. Teeth grinding is very common among toddlers. Since sleep bruxism can happen, wearing a night guard can help to provide a cushioned barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent grinding.
Doing so, will help to prevent long term consequences of nighttime teeth grinding such as wear and tear of the tooth enamel, reduce jaw pain and alleviate headache or facial pain.
Sleep Apnea
Did you know that approximately 10 to 30% of adults have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Sleep apnea is when a person’s airway completely or partially collapses during sleep, causing problems like gasping or snoring sounds [2].
The use of a night guard can help to reposition the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, which will improve airflow. Therefore, easing the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Braces
Night guards can also be beneficial for individuals wearing braces. They provide cushioning and protection for the teeth and soft tissues against the pressure exerted by the braces. It can also help to alleviate discomfort and prevent damage to the teeth and gums caused by orthodontic appliances.
Types of Night Guard
Every individual has different needs and preferences. So, that means that there are few different types of night guard that you can easily find in the market. Here are the 3 common types that are available.
Boil-and-Bite
A boil-and-bite mouth guard is a type of mouth guard that can be molded to fit your teeth shape when it is softened. It works by having to place it in hot water until the guard is soft then placing it over your mouth, using your fingers and teeth pressure to shape it.
Stock
A stock, or generic fit, mouthguard is a type of mouth guard that is preformed and easy to wear. It comes in the three sizes– small, medium and large, to accommodate different mouth sizes. Generally, stock mouth guards are inexpensive and can be found easily in drugstores and sporting goods stores.
Custom Fit
A custom mouth guard is a type of mouth guard that can be custom made by a dentist based on the structure of your teeth and mouth. Usually, custom-fit mouth guards tend to be expensive due to the extra time needed to mold and special molding materials used. However, it also provides the most comfort and protection.
Features To Look Out For When Choosing A Night Guard
When choosing a night guard, here are some features you should be looking out for when choosing the best mouth guard to use.
- Fit: Whether the night guard fits comfortably, for upper or lower teeth.
- Severity of grinding: Consider the severity of your teeth grinding or clenching habits when selecting a night guard. For light grinding, opt for a thinner option For moderate to severe grinding, opt for a thicker option.
- Durability: Look for options that offer long-term durability and can withstand nightly wear and tear to avoid frequent replacements.
- Comfort: Comfort should be a top priority especially since you will be wearing it during sleep. Choose a night guard that is soft and flexible material or a custom fitted option so that it doesn’t affect your sleep quality.
List of 8 Best Night Guard For Teeth Grinding
Below this, is a list of the 8 best night guards that we recommend you to try. Some of the things that were taken into consideration, are the features that the product or brand provides.
1. Pro Teeth Guard
Best overall and Best custom-fitted option
Price: $169.99- $209.99
Fit: Upper and lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Light to heavy grinding
Durability: 1.5mm to 2mm thick
Comfort: Exceptional comfort due to custom-fitted design and high quality materials (acrylic and vinyl)
Pro teeth guard is a custom made night guard for the complete upper and lower teeth. All night guards are made in a professional dental lab and comes with a one year warranty. Whether it is for light grinding or heavy grinding, Pro Teeth Guard has a solution for you. It offers ultra thin guard, soft night guard, hybrid night guard and hard night guard. They are also HSA/FSA eligible.
2. Brux Night Guard
Best Value For Money
Price: $59.90
Fit: Upper and lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Unspecified
Durability: Not too hard, not too soft
Comfort: Comfortable as it is a boil-and-bite type and made with food grade materials
Brux night guard is an affordable alternative to spending $500-$600 at the dentist for a night guard. These boil-and-bite guards allows you to mold to fit your teeth. Apart from that, it is also smaller than other night guards, making it more comfortable and easier to sleep with at night.
3. Sentinel Mouth Guard
Best For Light Grinding
Price: $129-$189
Fit: Upper and lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Light to heavy grinding
Durability: 1mm to 3mm thick
Comfort: Offers proper comfort and protection with the impression kit that maps the exact fit for your mouth
Sentinel Mouth Guard offers dental mouthguard solutions that are cost effective, customized to a perfect fit and created with dental safe materials. It uses a user-friendly molding kit to get the right fit for your mouth and then created with laser-etched precision technology. With many options to choose from, it is suitable for those with light to heavy grinding.
4. Chomper Labs Night Guard
Best For Moderate to Severe Grinding
Price: $159-$179
Fit: Upper and lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Light to heavy grinding
Durability: 2mm to 3mm thick
Comfort: Offers great comfort with custom-fitted and made with either copolyester or TPU/EVA material
Chomper Labs Night Guard is custom made to fit a user’s teeth with four different selections to choose from. With models such as the Soft, Hybrid, Hard and Retainer model, it is not only suitable for those with light grinding but moderate grinding to severe cases as well.
5. Shock Doctor Braces Mouth Guard
Best For Braces
Price: $21.99
Fit: Upper teeth
Severity of grinding: Unspecified
Durability: Unspecified
Comfort: No boil fit, made with 100% silicone materials
Specifically designed for individuals with braces, the Shock Doctor Braces Mouth Guard offers a customized fit for upper teeth, ensuring optimal protection and comfort. Its no-boil feature simplifies the fitting process, while the use of 100% silicone materials enhances comfort during wear.
6. DenTek Comfort-Fit Dental Guard
Best No-Boil
Price: $18.14 on Amazon and Walmart
Fit: Lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Unspecified
Durability: Comes with durable non-bulky bite pads
Comfort: Customizable fit without the need for boiling, has a retention wall and made with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) material
The DenTek Comfort-Fit Dental Guard offers a hassle-free solution for teeth grinding with its no-boil design, crafted for the lower teeth. With a five-point adjustment system, it makes it easy to find the perfect fit. Crafted for the lower teeth, this guard provides durable protection while maintaining comfort, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an easy-to-use and comfortable night guard.
7. Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard
Price: $19.48
Fit: Upper teeth
Severity of grinding: Light to moderate teeth grinding
Durability: Thin design, suitable for use up to 6 months. May not be very good for those with heavy grinding
Comfort: Made with BPA-free and latex-free material
The Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard is an over-the-counter moldable mouth guard that protects against symptoms of bruxism. It can be molded for a custom fit using a microwave. It also comes with an original scope mint flavor.
8. Plackers Grind No More Mouth Guard
Price: $12.40-$19.88
Fit: Upper and lower teeth
Severity of grinding: Unspecified
Durability: Each night guard suitable for use of up to 3 nights.
Comfort: One-size-fits-all and made with BPA-free material.
Plackers Grind No More Mouth Guard is a disposable and ready-to-use night guard for the treatment of bruxism.It has a patented clench and grind absorbing bite plates to stop you from grinding your teeth. It can be used on both upper and lower teeth without any cutting, boiling or molding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right night guard for teeth grinding is essential for protecting your teeth and ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Our top picks offer a range of options to suit different needs, from custom-fitted guards for optimal comfort and protection to affordable over-the-counter solutions. Whether you are looking for something for light grinding or severe grinding, there is always an option for You!
FAQs
What type of night guard is best for grinding?
The best type of night guard would depend on the severity of your teeth grinding. Custom-fitted options are usually the best option that you can go for, as they are made by dental professionals.
Do over the counter mouth guards work for grinding teeth?
Yes, over the counter mouth guards can work for light to moderate cases of teeth grinding as it offers some level of protection. It is essential that you always choose a high quality, over the counter mouth guard.
Should I wear a mouthguard if I grind my teeth at night?
Yes, wearing a mouthguard is generally recommended if you grind your teeth at night. A mouthguard can help protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching, alleviate jaw pain, and prevent related issues such as headaches and TMJ disorders.
How do I stop grinding my teeth at night?
There is no definitive cure for teeth grinding. However, there are many ways that you can manage this and reduce the frequency or severity. Some ways include the use of mouth guard, manage stress properly and practice good sleep hygiene.
References
[1] National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (2022) Bruxism [online]. Available at: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/bruxism#:~:text=Overview-,Overview,adults%20can%20have%20this%20condition.
[2] Summer, J. (2023) Sleep Apnea Mouth Guards [online]. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-mouth-guard
