What are night guards & when should you use one?

What is a night guard?

In simple terms, when we talk about night guards, we're referring specifically to the ones that act as teeth grinding protectors and are used while you sleep to protect your teeth and jaw from grinding or clenching forces. A night guard is a clear plastic dental device that serves as a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping to prevent chips and fractures caused by teeth grinding.

Types of night guards

Night guards are available in two types:

Let's get into the details now:

Custom mouthguard

A custom mouthguard is designed to fit your unique teeth and bite, created using dental impressions or digital scans. It hugs your teeth perfectly, stays in place, and actually lasts. Sure, it costs more upfront, but it's more comfortable, more effective, and much more durable. You wear it every night, so it makes sense to invest in something that feels like a second skin.

Woke up with a sore jaw again?

End this once and for all! Caspersmile Night Guards let you smile every morning because they shield your teeth from grinding and clenching throughout the night.

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Over-the-counter options

Over-the-counter night guards are readily accessible at pharmacies and stores and can be purchased at any time without a prescription. These are also of 2 types:

Boil and bite

This type of over-the-counter dental mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material that becomes pliable when heated in boiling water. You are needed to place the guard in hot water to soften the material, and bite it down once it softens to create a custom mold of your teeth. After molding, the guard is cooled in cold water to set the shape. They are semi-customized but cannot provide the comfort like custom ones.

Stock mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed, ready-to-wear mouthguards that come in standard sizes and shapes. These are the basic form of mouthguards and can be found at most drugstores or sporting goods shops. Stock mouthguards are generally recommended only for temporary or emergency use, especially in sports settings, rather than for long-term dental protection, like for bruxism. They cannot be molded to fit your teeth. Due to poor fit, they offer the least effective protection compared to other types.

Over-the-counter vs. custom mouthguard

To better understand the difference, have a look at the comparison table

How night guards prevent teeth grinding damage

Let's get into the mechanics. When you grind your teeth at night, the upper and lower sets rub with a force that can rival a power drill. Over time, this friction leads to enamel erosion, cracks, chipped teeth, and strained TMJs (temporomandibular joints).

A night guard for teeth grinding serves as a cushion between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and distributing this damaging force. It prevents your teeth from grinding against each other and gives your jaw muscles a much-needed break. This results in less pain, fewer headaches, and more restful sleep.

Who should consider a night guard?

If you relate to any of the below symptoms, a night guard could make a huge difference in your comfort and overall health. Custom-fit guards offer the best results, giving you peace of mind (and a better night's sleep).

Jaw soreness or tension in the morning

Do you frequently wake up with jaw stiffness or discomfort? That dull ache around your temples or difficulty chewing first thing in the morning could be a sign that you're clenching or grinding your teeth at night. Over time, this can lead to more serious dental and muscular problems if left untreated.

Unexplained tooth damage

If you have ever noticed chipped teeth, small cracks, or changes in your bite, but don't remember any injury, you might be damaging your teeth in your sleep. Nighttime grinding puts a lot of pressure on your enamel, often without you realizing it. Dentists often see signs like flat biting surfaces or worn-down enamel in people who clench regularly.

Frequent morning headaches

Waking up with headaches more often? It may not just be stress or lack of sleep. Clenching your jaw tightly during the night can strain the surrounding muscles, leading to tension headaches that appear first thing in the morning and fade as the day goes on.

Snoring or sleep apnea symptoms

This might surprise you, night guards can do more than protect your teeth. Special types of custom night guards, called mandibular advancement devices, are designed to gently shift your lower jaw forward. This keeps your airway open and can reduce snoring or even help with mild obstructive sleep apnea. If you have noticed loud snoring or breathing interruptions, it may be time to consider this kind of night guard.

“Signs of teeth grinding include waking up with a sore jaw, headache, or worn-down teeth. If you experience these symptoms, a night guard may help protect your teeth.”

Dr Ardra

Are night guards, aligners, and retainers different?

Let's clarify the most common confusion. Aligners, retainers, and nightguards might look the same, but they are not. They are all clear, plastic, and molded to fit your teeth. So it is easy to assume they can be used interchangeably. But that assumption is exactly what gets people into trouble. The truth is, each of these tools serves a very different purpose.

Aligners for moving teeth

Aligners are the treatment devices. They are designed to shift your teeth gradually into better alignment. You wear them throughout the day and night (except when eating or brushing), and you switch to a new set every couple of weeks. Their job is movement. If your teeth are already straight, you don't need aligners. And if you grind your teeth? These definitely aren't made for that kind of pressure.

Retainers for holding teeth in place

Retainers come in after your orthodontic treatment is complete to hold your teeth in their corrected positions. Most people wear them at night, and they are usually made of a thinner material than aligners. That is where the confusion usually starts in the whole night guard vs. retainer debate. Just because it fits over your teeth doesn't mean it protects them.

Night guards for protecting your teeth

Night guards are specifically made for people who clench or grind their teeth while sleeping. They are thicker, tougher, and designed to absorb force. If you wake up with jaw pain, morning headaches, or have worn-down enamel, this is what you need. Trying to use a retainer or aligner as a night guard? You are risking cracks, damage, or worse, worsening the very symptoms you're trying to fix.

How to maintain your night guard

Your night guard protects your teeth every night. The least you can do is give it a little care in return. It's not complicated, just a few quick habits.

It's a 2-minute habit that saves your teeth from a lot of future trouble.

Complementary treatments & lifestyle tips

Here's the thing: a night guard helps manage symptoms, but it's not a cure. If you're grinding your teeth because of stress, anxiety, or poor sleep hygiene, work on the root cause.

Try:

Night guards are a powerful tool, but they work best as part of a bigger strategy. Sometimes, your body's clenching because it's crying out for a break. Help it out.

Smile in your sleep with Caspersmile Night Guards

The world has progressed so much that now, you don't need to book a dental appointment. You don't need to spend hundreds at the clinic. And you definitely don't need to wear a bulky, uncomfortable piece of plastic that makes you regret protecting your teeth in the first place. Caspersmile Night Guards are custom-made, lab-grade, and shockingly easy to get. And the good part is that no in-office visit is required. You take your own impressions at home. That's it! From there, Caspersmile Dental Lab steps in and does all the heavy lifting. The result? A night guard that fits like a glove and actually feels good to wear.

Why people love us

Here's what people keep talking about:

What's the process

So how do you get your hands on one? Easy. Here is the step-by-step process

Don't let grinding steal your smile

Get your Caspersmile Night Guards at budget-friendly pricing and start sleeping soundly, knowing your teeth are protected.

Shop our clear aligners now!

When to consult your dentist

If you have noticed:

...it's time to talk to your dentist. They will help you figure out whether a mouthguard will help you out or if you need more advanced treatment.

Guard your smile before it's too late

Look, teeth grinding might not sound like a big deal until you wake up with a splitting headache, a sore jaw, or you find yet another tiny chip in your tooth and think, “Wait! When did that happen?” That's the problem. It creeps up quietly. And by the time most people realize what's going on, the damage is already done.

You can't control what your jaw does while you are asleep. You are not going to “train yourself” to stop grinding. And hoping it'll magically go away? Not the best strategy. But wearing a night guard is. It's one of the simplest, smartest, and honestly most underrated ways to protect your teeth (and your sleep) from your own nighttime habits.

Whether you're new to all of this or you've been told by your dentist a dozen times to "get a guard already," the good news is, you don't need to overthink it. Custom-fit guards like the ones from Caspersmile are designed for real life. They're comfortable, they work, and you don't even have to leave your house to get one. So ask yourself this: if you had something that could save your smile, stop your pain, and improve your sleep, and it took just one at-home impression kit to start, why wouldn't you try it?

Frequently asked questions

When should you use a night guard? +

A night guard is meant to shield your teeth and jaw from the harmful effects of grinding or clenching, particularly while you sleep.

How do you know if you need a night guard? +

You might need a night guard if you often wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity. Other signs include worn-down or chipped teeth, and your dentist might suggest one if they spot enamel damage or notice that you tend to clench your jaw, especially when you're under stress.

What is the downside of wearing a night guard? +

The main downside of using a night guard is the initial discomfort or soreness you might feel while your mouth gets used to wearing it.

Is it worth getting a night guard from the dentist? +

Yes, a professionally fitted night guard from your dentist is usually a valuable investment.