Night guards & grinding
For people who grind or clench in their sleep and wake up with a sore jaw.
A night guard is a moulded plastic plate, made to fit your teeth exactly, that you wear in bed. It takes the load when you grind or clench in your sleep, so the guard wears down instead of your teeth.
Any of these sound familiar?
- You wake up with a tight jaw, sore temples or a headache across the front of your head.
- Someone has told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep.
- Your front teeth are getting shorter or flatter, or the edges look see-through.
- Fillings, crowns or veneers keep chipping or coming loose.
- Teeth are sensitive to cold and nothing shows up as decay on the X-ray.
Start to finish.
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01
Finding the wear
Dr. Malik looks at the edges of your teeth, your existing fillings and crowns, and the muscles at the side of your jaw. Grinding leaves a pattern, and he shows you where yours is.
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02
Moulds and bite
We take moulds or a scan of both jaws and record how your teeth meet. The guard is built on those models, so it clips onto the teeth instead of sitting loose.
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03
Choosing the guard
A hard guard suits heavy grinders and lasts longer; a softer one is easier to get used to at first. It goes on the upper or lower teeth, depending on your bite and on any crowns already there.
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04
Fitting
The guard is adjusted in your mouth until it seats without pressure points and your teeth meet evenly on it. You are shown how to clean it and where to keep it during the day.
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05
Checking the wear
Bring it to your check-ups. The marks on the surface show how hard you are grinding, and Dr. Malik replaces the guard once it thins or cracks.
What it costs, and who pays.
A night guard is usually two visits: one for the moulds and the bite record, and one to fit and adjust it once it has been made. Many dental plans cover part of a night guard, often only once every few years, and some ask for a note about the wear before they pay.
Ask for a written estimateNight guards & grinding, answered.
Can I just buy a night guard at the drugstore?
You can, and a boil-and-bite guard is better than nothing for a short stretch. They are bulky and do not hold their shape, and a loose one can let teeth drift. A moulded guard is built to your bite and lasts years.
Will a night guard stop my headaches?
It helps many people, because it takes strain off the muscles you clench with. It is not a cure for every headache. If yours does not settle, Dr. Malik looks at the jaw joint and how your teeth meet.
Is teeth grinding caused by stress?
Stress is the most common trigger, but not the only one. Broken sleep, some medications, alcohol and an uneven bite all play a part, and Dr. Malik asks about each before making a guard.
How do I clean a night guard?
Rinse and brush it with cool water each morning, then let it dry before it goes back in the case. Soak it in a cleaning tablet once a week, and keep it away from hot water, which warps it.
