Buying and wearing a night guard when you also have braces can be difficult, and in many cases, a professionally-fit night guard from your dentist or orthodontist is the best way to go. When you have braces, your mouth is changing all the time; a professional fitting allows you to get exactly what you need without damaging your braces is often the best approach, says Jaclyn Tomsic, MD, oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Ohio’s Center for Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery. There are night guards that can be worn on your upper teeth, ones that can be worn on your lower teeth, and several that can be customized to fit either your lower or upper teeth. So which one do you need? Honestly, it’s mostly up to you. Sleeping should be the one daily activity when your entire body is at rest, but that’s not always the case. Some health problems don’t stop just because you fall asleep, causing you to wake up in the morning with sleep-related aches and pains; one of the most common of these is bruxism, or grinding your teeth, and according to Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, CEO of TruGlo Modern Dental, it’s often brought on by snoring, stress, sleep deprivation, and sleep apnea. There are essentially three types of molds you can choose from outside of your dentist’s office, and they each serve a different purpose.

The best fit will likely come from the types of night guards that have you fit a mold over your teeth, then send them off to have the mouth piece made. This takes a little extra time, but it’s something you can do without your dentist’s help.

Product overview

I am feeling a bit nervous/anxious though. Should I go to my doctor? Will it pass ok? I am in no immediate discomfort. What is sleep bruxism? It’s a fancy term for grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. Dentists reported an increase in cases during the worst of the COVID pandemic, and studies have connected teeth grinding to stress. Persistent teeth grinding can cause wearing of the enamel on your teeth, exposing deeper layers and causing dental issues and increased sensitivity. You may also suffer from otherwise unexplained headaches, jaw and face pain or general sleep disruption. Some night guards feature a one-size-fits-all construction that allows you to skip the customization process. You might find, though, that you don’t get quite the same experience as you would with a customized mouth guard. It might be worth a try to see if it works.

Grinding and clenching your teeth may not only happen while you’re sleeping—stress and anxiety can cause you to grind during the daytime, too. Although there are other ways to cope with daytime grinding, like meditation and relaxation techniques, sometimes you just need to be able to pop a dental guard in your mouth to protect your teeth. Some people may also use a night guard like this during the day to prevent cheek or nail biting. But having to get a brand new night guard from your dentist every few months can get pretty expensive. If that’s not for you, we suggest signing up for the night guard subscription plan at ClearClub: Not only are the night guards more affordably-priced than they are through a dentist, but you can save a good deal of money by subscribing to a renewal plan upfront. Night guards have long been prescribed by dentists to reduce the negative effects of sleep bruxism. These guards are made from a soft but durable plastic that offers a cushion between your upper and lower teeth. This prevents enamel damage and lessens the general discomfort that comes from grinding throughout the night. But these protective devices aren’t just useful for teeth grinding. Some can even help reduce snoring, since they widen your airway, reducing the vibration that occurs while you sleep. While this is no substitute for a sleep study to determine the root cause of your snoring, it can be an added bonus if you already suffer from sleep bruxism. The same is essentially true for night guards that cover all of the teeth on your upper or lower jaw versus the ones that provide only partial coverage, either by connecting bite plates together with a thin strip or only affixing to your front teeth. When it comes to choosing, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference or comfort.Our disposable and ready-to-use night guard can be used for the treatment of bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching. The streamlined design is one-size-fits-all and can be worn on the upper or lower teeth, whichever is more comfortable: no boiling, cutting, or molding required. Our instant fit guards can be used for up to 3 nights and are easily disposable, eliminating stress and providing optimal protection for both "clenchers" and "grinders" alike. For more than 3 months from initial use without consulting your dentist. See your dentist every six months thereafter while using this product. Grind No More:Featuring patented clench and grind absorbing bite plates to stop you from grinding your teeth during the night and to increase peaceful sleep We recommend the Daytime Ultra Thin Night Guard from Chomper Labs if this sounds like you. Because it was designed with daytime wear in mind, it’s significantly thinner than other night guards (only 0.8 millimeters) so it won’t interfere with your speech. The hard plastic is comfortable and discreet, protecting your teeth while staying in place. You can also choose whether to fit the guard for your upper or lower teeth, depending on what’s more comfortable for you during the day.