Is It Worth Getting a Custom Night Guard?

October 19, 2022 · Ashely Notarmaso

Is it worth getting a custom night guard either from the dentist or a direct lab to keep your teeth in good shape? Keep reading and learn more about custom night guards here.

Is It Worth Getting a Custom Night Guard?

It’s estimated that around 8% of middle-aged adults suffer from bruxism. However, many more children grind their teeth at night as well.

If you suffer from bruxism, a custom night guard can serve as a great solution. A custom night guard can help to ensure that the jaw joints and teeth are protected and can help prevent the damage and discomfort that can be caused by grinding your teeth.

So, is it worth getting a custom night guard? In this guide, we’ll tell you everything that you need to know.

Dentist Made Custom Night Guards

Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to get a custom night guard from your dentist:

1. Severity of teeth grinding: If you have a severe case of teeth grinding or TMJ issues, you will want to consider having a special type of bite guard made. Click here for example images of a TMJ night guard compared to a standard night guard.
2. Cost: Cost is significantly higher through the dental office compared to an online mouthguard provider
3. Fit and comfort: A dentist has the ability to make in-house adjustments to your night guard for guaranteed comfort
4. Durability: Custom night guards purchased through the dentist are often made by dental labs. The materials used are high quality, thermoforming plastics made specifically for oral use.

Why Get a Night Guard?

It’s important to consider whether you need a night guard and what the benefits of using one are. There are various reasons why someone might choose to wear a night guard when sleeping at night.

Night guards are particularly important if you have bruxism and grind or clench your teeth while sleeping. If you’re experiencing these issues, then you might want to speak to your dentist about getting a night guard.

Teeth grinding can lead to some big problems and can damage your teeth. Some problems that teeth grinding can lead to include loss of tooth enamel, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, chronic headaches, and more.

A night guard will serve to prevent damages that occur from grinding and clenching your teeth and can also help you avoid these other serious issues as well.

Keep in mind that there are a couple of different kinds of night guards that you can choose from if you need to get one. The main types include over-the-counter (OTC) night guards and custom night guards.

Both of these types of night guards are a bit different, so it’s important to understand them both before making a decision on which kind of night guard to get.

Do you sleep better with a night guard?

Using a night guard can potentially improve sleep quality for individuals who suffer from certain dental conditions. Night guards, also known as dental splints or occlusal guards, are dental devices worn during sleep to protect the teeth and jaw from grinding or clenching, a condition known as bruxism.

Bruxism can lead to various issues, including tooth damage, jaw pain, headaches, and disrupted sleep. By wearing a night guard, the teeth are cushioned, and the forces generated during grinding or clenching are distributed evenly, reducing the risk of dental damage and alleviating associated symptoms. Consequently, this can contribute to better sleep by minimizing discomfort and preventing disturbances caused by teeth grinding.

However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of a night guard in improving sleep quality can vary from person to person. Consulting with a dental professional is recommended for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. They can assess your specific situation and determine if a night guard would be beneficial for you.

What Are OTC Night Guards?

OTC night guards include several different types of night guards including one-size-fits-all, boil-and-bite, and adjustable night guards.

One-size-fits-all night guards won’t be fitted for your teeth specifically and could fail to work well for your mouth.

Boil-and-bite and adjustable night guards can be more useful, but they still have their limits. They won’t be fitted to your mouth as well as a custom night guard.

What Are Custom Night Guards?

A custom night guard is a type of night guard that is made by professionals to fit your specific set of teeth.

While many people choose to get a custom night guard from a dentist, it’s not necessary and there are other options to consider as well. Instead, you can get mail-order night guards that are custom fitted to your teeth.

Opting to get one of these mail-order night guards instead is a great solution because it helps you avoid a costly office visit with a dentist. Doing so can also be very convenient since the night guard will be delivered to you in the mail.

Advantages of Custom Night Guards

So is it worth getting a custom night guard? Here are some reasons why you might want to get a custom night guard instead of an OTC night guard.

1. Improved Comfort

One of the main benefits of custom night guards is that they’re more comfortable than other options. Over- the-counter night guards might not be as comfortable and won’t fit your mouth precisely.

Because custom night guards are custom fitted to your teeth, they will feel much more comfortable and won’t irritate your mouth.

2. Easier to Sleep

Some people who end up using an OTC night guard may find it very difficult to sleep. A cheap night guard may not stay in place well enough and could interfere with breathing or be frustrating to deal with. It can be difficult to keep an OTC night guard in the correct position and ensure that it’s doing its job.

A custom-fitted night guard, on the other hand, won’t interfere with breathing and will be more comfortable to wear. This will make it easier to get to sleep each night.

3. Increased Effectiveness

In addition to feeling better, custom night guards are also more effective as well. They’ll do a better job of protecting against bruxism symptoms and can prevent issues such as headaches, toothaches, and tooth damage.

Custom night guards will work the best when compared to other options and will be the safest option available.

4. More Durability

Another perk of getting custom night guards made is that they’re more durable and long-lasting compared to

OTC night guards. Custom night guards will be made well and will be composed of high-quality materials.

While other types of night guards could be cheaper overall, custom night guards will be worth the cost. You’ll continue being able to use a custom night guard for a long time to come and won’t need to get it replaced soon after you purchase it.

How often should you get a night guard?

The frequency of getting a new night guard can vary depending on several factors, including the material used, the quality of the night guard, and the individual’s specific needs. Here are some general guidelines regarding the replacement of night guards:

1. Wear and Tear: Night guards are subject to wear and tear over time due to regular use. Depending on the material and the amount of force exerted on the guard, it may start to lose its effectiveness and durability. On average, night guards should be replaced every 1 to 3 years, but this can vary.
2. Changes in Bite: Over time, your bite may change due to various factors, such as dental work, orthodontic treatment, or natural shifting of teeth. If your bite changes significantly, it may affect the fit and effectiveness of your night guard. In such cases, it’s recommended to consult with your dentist or dental professional to assess if a new night guard is necessary.
3. General Maintenance: Proper maintenance and care can extend the lifespan of your night guard. Cleaning it regularly and following the manufacturer’s instructions for care and storage will help ensure its longevity. However, despite regular maintenance, night guards will eventually wear down and lose their effectiveness.

How to Get a Custom Night Guard

While the process for getting a night guard from a dentist differs from getting a custom mail-order night guard, the process for getting a night guard from a company such as ours, Sentinel Mouthguards, is very simple and easy.

The first step to getting a night guard in the mail is to get an impression kit. Upon request, we’ll send you an impression kit and you’ll then need to follow our simple instructions to get an impression of your teeth. You’ll then send the impression kit back to us, and we’ll create your custom night guard using our Tru-fit process.

After this, we’ll send your new night guard to you in the mail.

Is It Worth Getting a Custom Night Guard?

So, is it worth getting a custom night guard for your mouth? The truth is that it’s absolutely worth it.

While some over-the-counter night guards may be cheaper, they aren’t usually worth the money that you spend on them. They can cause a lot of mouth discomfort and may not adequately do the job that they’re meant for.

Fortunately, getting a custom-fitted night guard is simple and easy, and with our help, you won’t even need to leave your home to get one.

Ready to get your custom night guard? Visit our help center to learn more about our night guards now.