Mouth Guard Benefits for Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw? You might be suffering from teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism.¹ Because it often happens at night, you may be doing it unknowingly.

Finding a solution to bruxism is not as simple as just deciding not to grind your teeth while you sleep.

Luckily, using a mouth guard for teeth grinding at night can help alleviate the symptoms and damage that bruxism can cause.

Symptoms of Sleep Bruxism

Grinding your teeth can be more than just a nuisance to your bedmate.² It may be damaging your teeth. And if you sleep alone, you may not even know that you are grinding! Often it is the symptoms that may point you towards a problem with sleep bruxism.

Teeth grinding can cause a range of symptoms,³ such as headache, stiff or tender jaw muscles, neck pain, ear pain and interrupted sleep.

Bruxism can also damage your teeth by wearing down the tooth surface and even causing tooth chips and fractures.⁴

Daytime Teeth Grinding vs Sleep Teeth Grinding

Even though they seem similar, bruxism during the day and sleep bruxism at night are classified by experts as separate conditions.

Bruxism while awake is actually more common,⁴ but sleep bruxism can be harder to diagnose and treat.

If you grind at night you may be less aware that you are clenching and grinding, which can lead to more symptoms and tooth damage.

Do Mouth Guards Help With Teeth Grinding?

If you discover that you grind your teeth at night, you may want to try using a mouth guard for teeth grinding when you sleep. Nighttime mouth guards are also known as dental guards, night guards, bite splints or occlusal splints.³

Mouth guards don't prevent you from clenching your jaw, but they do provide a cushion of protection between your teeth, preventing jaw pain, protecting the enamel of your teeth and reducing the tooth wear and fractures that can occur with grinding.³

Night Mouth Guard Benefits

There are lots of benefits to wearing a mouth guard to treat your nighttime grinding.³

• Customized - Mouth guards obtained through your dentist can be custom designed for your jaw size, mouth shape and teeth needs.
• Portable - Mouth guards are easy to take with you when you travel.
• Definitive protection - Unlike some teeth grinding treatments, such as stress reduction techniques, where it can be difficult to know if they are working, a mouth guard provides a clear physical barrier to protect your teeth while you sleep.
• Price - Over-the-counter mouth guards provide an inexpensive way to get relief and even custom mouth guards from your dentist are less expensive than other bruxism treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic or bite-surface reshaping.

Types of Mouth Guards

There are mouth guards at different price points that can provide varying levels of comfort and customization for your nighttime teeth grinding.³

• Stock mouth guards are a one-size-fits-all option. They are usually disposable, only designed to last for 1-2 uses. While these are an inexpensive option, the lack of customization can often lead to a poor fit and discomfort. A poor fit can even lead to more grinding!
• Boil-and-bite mouth guards offer a semi-customized fit. After heating the mouth guard material, you bite down on the guard to make an impression of your teeth. As it cools, the impression stays on the guard. Boil-and-bite mouth guards tend to be bulkier and potentially less comfortable. These mouth guards use a soft material to allow the impression to be made which decreases their long-term durability.
• Mail-In mouth guards send you a kit to create an impression of your teeth at home. After mailing in the impression of your teeth, a personalized mouth guard is mailed back to you. Mail-in mouth guards rely on the customer to make an informed decision about the best thickness and type of the material for their mouth as well as create a suitable mold for the mouth guard.
• Custom-made mouth guards are designed specifically for your jaw size, mouth shape and tooth position by a dental professional after a consultation with you about your bruxism issues, sleep habits and comfort concerns. Custom-made mouth guards are often the thinnest and best-fitting, since they can provide the personalized protection and support that your teeth need.

How to Choose a Custom Mouth Guard Material

With some types of mouth guards, you may choose the mouth guard material that will be the best fit for you.³ Most mail-in or custom-made mouth guards for teeth grinding are available in either soft, hybrid or hard materials. Mail-in mouth guards let the customer select the material they think would be the best fit while a custom-made mouth guard from a dentist has the added benefit of having an expert match the material of the mouth guard to your specific needs.

• Soft material mouth guards are designed for mild/light grinders. While the material is more comfortable and the easiest to get used to, it is also the least durable and not a long-term solution for regular grinders.³
• Hybrid material mouth guards combine different materials to provide a soft interior and harder exterior. Hybrid mouth guards are a good choice for moderate to severe grinders.³
• Hard material mouth guards are the most durable, but can take more getting used to. Because of their rigidity, hard mouth guards can also help prevent teeth from shifting in addition to providing relief from grinding.³

Upper vs Lower Mouth Guards

Nighttime mouth guards for teeth grinding are available for both your upper teeth and your lower teeth.⁵ The best option for you will depend on a variety of factors.

Most dentists are likely to recommend a mouth guard for your upper teeth. Since it doesn't interfere with the tongue, upper mouth guards are often more comfortable.

However, a mouth guard on the lower teeth may be a better choice for individuals who snore or suffer from sleep apnea.³

To find the option that is best for you, be sure to consult with your dentist.

Average Cost of Night Mouth Guards

The cost of nighttime mouth guards varies greatly based on the type and the material used.⁵

• Stock mouth guards can be found for $3-$25 at drugstores or sporting goods stores, but they may be bulky and less comfortable to wear.
• Boil-and-bite mouth guards are usually priced between $15-$25 and offer moderate customization. Still, they tend to be thicker to avoid biting through the material while making the impression.
• Mail-in mouth guards have the largest range with impression kits ranging from $80 up to $250 depending on the material that the final mouth guard will be made out of.
• Custom-made mouth guards from a dentist average between $300-$500 though some dentists may charge $1,000 or more for the service. Usually, custom-made mouth guards are thinner and better-fitting than other models. By consulting directly with a dentist, you can ensure the mouth guard material, style and fit work for you.

If you are suffering from headaches, stiff or tender jaw muscles, neck pain, ear pain or interrupted sleep,¹ talk with your dentist to see if a mouth guard for teeth grinding can help alleviate your bruxism symptoms and protect your teeth. A custom-made mouth guard from your dentist can ensure you find a solution that both guards against tooth wear and help you get a good night's sleep.³

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Mouth Guards

Whether you're investing in mouth guards or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.^* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or orthodontist near you that accepts CareCredit to help get you on track to your perfect smile. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to orthodontics, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?