Free answers, Quality smiles
Browse our frequently asked questions below to receive both. Don’t see the A to your Q? Get In Touch with us so we can best assist you.
I. Teeth Grinding Qs
Q: What causes teeth grinding?
Although researchers have yet to identify the exact reason behind this common problem, stress is believed to play a significant role. For more information, check out our article on the top 5 Reasons You're Grinding Your Teeth at Night.
Q: What is the result of long-term teeth grinding?
Long-term teeth grinding can lead to significant dental issues and chronic pain. The excessive pressure can cause teeth to crack or break, leading to expensive and extensive dental work. It can also worsen symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), causing persistent jaw pain, popping, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. Additionally, teeth grinding can result in flattened teeth, increased teeth sensitivity, and frequent headaches. Protect your dental health with Sentinel Mouthguards' custom-fitted night guards, designed to alleviate the effects of teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Q: How do I know if I’m grinding my teeth at night?
Obvious signs include teeth and jaw pain (strong upon awakening), popping of the jaw, teeth fracture lines, teeth cracking or breakage, tooth sensitivity. Your partner may hear you grinding or clenching. A dentist can also tell if you grind or clench your teeth. He/she/they can properly diagnose your bruxism.
Q: How do dental night guards solve the problem of teeth grinding?
Custom dental night guards do not solve the problem of teeth grinding, but they can protect against the damages it causes. By acting as a barrier between your teeth, a night guard can prevent cracked, broken, or sensitive teeth, as well as jaw pain and headaches. With the right fit, a night guard can also alleviate the symptoms of bruxism and prevent the need for expensive dental work down the road. Learn more about how Sentinel Mouthguards' custom night guards can protect your smile.
II. Product Qs
Q: How do I know which dental night guard to choose?
All of our night guards protect your mouth from teeth grinding and clenching. Take our free 60 sec. quiz or Get in touch with us for additional assistance.
Q: Why are there different thickness options?
Choosing your guard’s thickness depends on how severely you grind/clench your teeth. Thicker guards are more durable but will feel bulkier in the mouth. A thinner guard will be more comfortable but may wear down quicker. Below is a quick explanation of our thickness options:
"Thin" is 1 millimeter and typically recommended for daytime use only or very light teeth grinding/jaw clenching.
"Thicker" is 2 millimeters and is typically recommended for nighttime use. This is the most common thickness and is great for moderate teeth grinding/jaw clenching. For reference, 2mm is the thickness of a nickel coin.
"Thickest" is 3 millimeters and is available as a soft type or extreme hard durability only. This thickness option is for very heavy grinding or clenching only.
Q: How long do your night guards typically last?
The durability and longevity of our night guard vary greatly depending on the wearer’s grinding/clenching habits and if the guard is cleaned and maintained properly. Our custom night guards are made from high-quality material and usually last 2–5 years.
For more information on longevity of night guards read this article: How Long Do Dental Night Guards Last?
Q: Is there a warranty if my night guard wears down quickly?
Absolutely! You can either contact Sentinel within 30 days of purchase for a full refund or opt for a replacement. Our commitment to you is 100% satisfaction. We stand by our products and will always work with you to ensure you’re completely satisfied.
Replacement Warranty Information:
Hard and Dual laminated Night Guards- 1 year warranty (if you grind or wear through your guard we will pull your existing dental impression on file and remake it free of charge).
Soft Night Guard- 6 month warranty (if you grind or wear through your guard we will pull your existing dental impression on file and remake it free of charge).
Note: All orders placed must be completed within 2 years of purchase. Customers are responsible for mailing their impression(s) to us within 6 months of original purchase date.
Q: Is it hard to take a good dental impression?
To answer the question, taking a good dental impression is actually quite easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home. With Sentinel Mouthguards' easy-to-use dental impression kit, all you need is a timer, clean hands, and healthy teeth. The kit includes everything else you need to take an accurate impression on the first try. And if for any reason you do not get it right on the first try, don't worry! We will send you a new dental impression kit for free.
Additional kits can be purchase here for $15: https://sentinelmouthguards.com/shop/extra-dental-impression-kit/
Q: Can I use the impression kit with braces? What about loose teeth or dental work?
Do not use the impression kit if you have braces, loose teeth, loose dental work, etc. Sentinel Mouthguard Co. is not liable for any damages resulting from the use of the putty system.
III. General Qs
Q: I need a night guard but my wisdom teeth are coming in. Will they affect the fit of my night guard?
The custom night guards do not extend all the way back to your wisdom teeth unless you specifically request this extension.
Q: I have TMJ. My jaw is misaligned from clenching. Will a night guard help?
It is possible that a night guard can help, but we recommend seeking treatment from your dentist. You may need a more complex guard that involves setting your jaw in a certain position.
For more information on TMJ and the use of dental night guards, read this article: Best Mouth Guard for TMJ
Q: How often should mouthguards be cleaned?
All dental night guards should be cleaned immediately after use and before storing them.
For more information on how to take care of your night guard, read this article: How to Clean A Mouth Guard
Q: If I order a night guard and the fit isn’t right, what are my options?
All night guard purchases are covered by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Returns
If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your custom product, you can ask for a full refund excluding shipping and impression kit cost ($23). Sentinel Mouthguards must receive the returned item within 30 days of receiving the refund request. Refunds will be issued once we receive the returned product.
Exchanges
During your 30 day satisfaction guarantee period, you may choose a different guard type and/or choose a different thickness. If there is a price difference, you will either be billed via PayPal invoice for remaining amount due or receive a credit if guard type chosen is less in value. Exchanges do not include changing to the opposing teeth arch. You may choose to exchange your guard within 30 days from the date you receive your guard.
Adjustments
If you're experiencing an issue with your newly received guard such as tightness or a rough edge/spot, we can typically resolve this by adjusting the guard.
Sentinel Mouthguards is committed to customer satisfaction and all fees associated with adjustments will be covered by us (including shipping and handling).
How does the adjustment process work?
We will email you a printable return label to mail your guard to us. Additionally, we'll provide a .pdf tooth chart to mark the area(s) that are causing the issue(s). Upon receipt of your guard, we will make the appropriate adjustments within (1) business day for a fast turnaround. Remember, our commitment to you is 100% satisfaction. We'll work hard to make sure you receive a night guard you love!
The appropriate adjustment is determined after careful evaluation of each guard by Sentinel Mouthguards quality control team. All adjustments will be completed within (1) business day of receiving the returned guard for a fast turnaround time.
When deemed necessary, Sentinel Mouthguards will also provide a new impression kit if required. Adjustments and impression kits are provided at the sole discretion of Sentinel Mouthguards.
Expedited service fee
Our expedited service fee is non-refundable but will be honored for any remake needed.
Payments received for expedited shipping services cannot be refunded. Sentinel Mouthguards is not responsible for any shipping delays resulting from mail carrier issues.
Q: If I place an order today, when can I expect to receive my mouth guard?
We ship USPS First Class (2-5 business days) and will send the kit to you within 24 hours of purchase. Upon receipt of your dental impression, please allow 3–7 business days for our lab to create your custom guard.
We do offer an expedited service with ALL INCLUSIVE Priority Mail shipping + 2 business day lab processing time. The cost for this service is $80 and can be added to your cart at checkout.
Don’t see your question? Want to chat further? Please Get In Touch with us. We look forward to meeting you!
