The Best Night Guards for Bruxism

What is Bruxism

Bruxism (BRUK-siz-um) is a condition where you grind or clench your teeth. Studies have found a correlation between night-time teeth clenching (sleep bruxism) and snoring. Bruxism is more frequently found in people with an existing sleep disorder such as snoring than in those who do not have an existing disorder.

It’s possible to have sleep bruxism and not even know it because mild cases may not show any signs until complications occur. However, in some people, bruxism is severe enough to damage teeth, cause headaches, and lead to jaw disorders.

Signs and Symptoms

Bruxism rarely causes immediate damage. Instead, the effects are cumulative with the damage slowly increasing over time. Early recognition of its signs is key to preventing damage.

Symptoms of bruxism include:

● Soreness around the jaw.

● Clicking noise when opening your mouth.

● Locking of the jaw that prevents it from opening or closing.

● Flattened written teeth.

● Increased tooth pain.

Treatments for Bruxism

Several treatment options for bruxism exist. First, you should have a doctor rule out any underlying medical issues that could be contributing to your condition. Second, reduce overall stress. Stress causes muscular tension including those in the jaw. Next, using a night guard while sleeping will help prevent tooth damage.

Top Night Guards for Bruxism

There are numerous anti-grinding night guards on the market. Below we discuss some top choices in detail, so you’ll have no problem finding one that fits your budget and needs.

• J&S Dental Lab Custom Extra Durable Night Guard

J&S Dental Lab is a professional dental laboratory located in California, U.S.A. that advertises and sells its night guards online. J&S has been creating quality products for almost 20 years.

Their custom extra durable night guard is .012” thick and tailored towards moderate to heavy grinders. Their impression materials ensure you’ll get a good fit. They include three different trays and detailed instructions about how to get your impressions. Video instructions are available through their website.

Turnaround time is about ten days, which seems about average compared to similar products.

• Value Protect Pro Custom Teeth Night Guard

Value Protect Pro is an independent dental lab selling their custom night guards through their own website as well as third-party online retailers.

Their impression kit is quick and easy to use. Video and written instructions are available.

Value Protect Pro ensures proper fit and thickness using patented “3D-Pressure Technology.” So instead of offering a range of products they instead use this to evaluate the mold of your teeth. This mold allows them to create a night guard that meets your specific grinding needs.

The company offers free unlimited adjustments and free returns. Customer service is consistently available to answer any questions and concerns.

• Sentinel Soft Night Guard

Sentinel Mouthguards, from Florida, U.S.A., carries an array of mouth guards, not just those for bruxism.

Putty and trays for your impression are mailed quickly, within 24 hours. Simple written instructions are provided; video instructions are easily available through their website. Sentinel usually sends your completed night guard in 8 to 12 days.

You choose one of three thicknesses based on your level of grinding. You can also choose a hard or soft material. All materials are FDA approved dental materials.

All their products are manually trimmed to remove excess material so the final product is slim instead of bulky.

• Dental Duty

Dental Duty is an online-only retailer of oral-hygiene products. Though their emphasis is on cleaning products, their night guard is highly rated by users.

They offer one style of “boil-and-bite” night guard, as a four-unit boxed set. Your boxed set includes materials to make four guards, printed instructions, and a plastic case.

Your boxed set is shipped quickly. Dental Duty offers a 30-day return policy with receipt.

• SOVA Nightguard

American company SOVA is an online retailer who specializes in a unique option. Their product combines the ease of boil-and-bite models with the extra strength of lab-created models.

Like boil-and-bite models, SOVA is heated to soften the blank then pressed against the teeth for creating a mold. But unlike those models, the SOVA has a hard exoskeleton. That exoskeleton is specially designed to dissipate biting forces.

SOVA offers a 30-day return policy on unopened and defective items.

The Doctor’s Nightguard

The Doctor’s brand is a subsidiary of Prestige Products who owns several other over-the-counter consumer healthcare brands. Their night guard can be found online as well as at many local grocery stores.

Its boil-and-bite model is slim fitting and unobtrusive. The two-layer design makes it appropriate for light to moderate grinders. The soft inner layer forms a cushion while the outer firmer layer protects from moderate grinding.