Teeth grinding (also known as Bruxism) is a common occurrence among people of all ages & lifestyles. Whether you are a light, moderate, or heavy grinder, a properly fitted night guard can do wonders to prevent headaches, jaw pain/tension, TMJ, and protect against cracking, wearing down or breaking teeth/existing dental work. Skip the huge dental bill. Learn the secrets kept by dentists and literally save hundreds.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Some people learn they grind their teeth during sleep through their partner who hears the teeth grinding together. Others may wake up with facial pain or unexplained damage & can feel the aching pain themselves. Many learn that they grind their teeth at night through their dentist & had absolutely no idea. During an exam, a dentist is able to determine if a person is indeed grinding or clenching their teeth at night & can point out any noticeable wear or cracks/fractures in the teeth. You should know that there is no cure for teeth grinding but if you are able to reduce stress in your life, limit alcohol intake and/or stop smoking it is possible to reduce the intensity of the problem. The only known effective treatment to combat against the damage caused by teeth grinding is the consistent use of a night guard. On average, these devices cost between $300-$800.
So when I purchase a night guard from my dentist what am I paying for?
You’re paying for a dental assistant to take a dental impression of your teeth & the fabrication of a plastic appliance to be able to fit perfectly over your dental anatomy. Basically, a liquid stone gets poured into the dental impression. Once it hardens, it is pulled from the impression and voila! There it is- a perfect model of your teeth. Using a machine that combines high heat & pressure, a piece of special plastic is melted and pressure formed over your stone mold. Once it cools, it is trimmed, polished, put in a mouthguard case & handed to you. That’s it! These guards are far superior in fit & quality to any stock night guard or boil & bites found at local stores. You should know that most often, a dentist is not the one that makes your night guard. These guards are either made by assistants in the office lab or sent to a dental lab. Either way, you’re being over charged in a dental office.
How does Sentinel Mouthguards make them?
The same exact way they do! We are an independent lab & we have made thousands of night guards for dentists. We have watched countless people take out loans with programs like CareCredit to pay for these over-priced night guards & we decided we can do something about it. Using a simple 1-2-3 process- we mail you out a kit, you take your own dental impression (seriously, it takes less than 5 minutes) & you mail it back to us using the pre-paid mailer. That’s it! Once we receive you impression, we will fabricate your new custom fitted night guard. All inclusive shipping & we guarantee satisfaction or your money back.
How long do they last?
We offer three different types of night guards & they all vary in life expectancy.
The most popular night time guard is the .120 Soft Nightguard. It is thin in design, durable, extremely comfortable & is known to last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
For a heavy grinder, the .040 Hard Acrylic Nightguard would be more suitable to withstand hard clenching & intense grinding habits. Lasts anywhere from 2-5 years.
For the moderate to heavy grinder, we have the dual-laminated night guard. It is two layers of material ( a thin, soft plastic on the inside & a hard acrylic outside). Lasts anywhere from 2-5 years.
If you grind through any of these guards before the life expectancy runs out, simply mail your night guard & your original invoice to us and we will replace your existing night guard at no charge.
What if I don’t take my dental impression correctly?
The fit of your guard depends on how well you take the impression of your teeth. We have made the process EASY but just in case you don’t get it right the first time, no worries, we will send you out another kit for free.
How do I take care of my new night guard?
Proper care of your night guard is essential. Remember that your night guard is clear & if it is not cleaned, dried, and stored in it’s original case EVERY morning, it can begin to discolor-turning a dark yellow or brown. Also, if moisture is left in the guard it can act as a petri dish for bacteria. So make sure you clean it daily with a mild soap & water. Dry thoroughly & store in the case.
