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?
To date, researchers still don't know exactly what the root cause of teeth grinding and jaw clenching may be, though dental professionals continue to site stress as a major factor.
To learn more about possible causes of teeth grinding, please read this article- 5 Reasons You're Grinding Your Teeth at Night.
Q: What is the result of long-term teeth grinding?
Continued pain and damage (including expensive dental work down the road). TMJ can be made worse by excessive teeth grinding and clenching. Broken teeth, flattened teeth, jaw pain, jaw popping, teeth sensitivity and headaches can all happen as a result of long term 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?
They do not. Rather, a custom dental night guard acts as a protective barrier to prevent the damages associated with teeth grinding and jaw clenching. The night guard can prevent expensive dental work and relieve the symptoms associated with continuous bruxism.
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 90 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 two years of original purchase date.
Q: Is it hard to take a good dental impression?
Not at all. Taking your own dental impression is easy and you do not need to pay a dentist hundreds of dollars to do it.
All you need to have is a timer, clean hands, and good solid teeth—everything else will be included in our kit.
If you do mess up your dental impression the first time, no worries! We will send a new dental impression kit to you free of charge.
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 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
If the fit of your guard isn't right, we will work with you to your satisfaction or you can opt to receive a full refund.
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!
