Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding Review: Protect Your Teeth Now!

This is a review of the best night guard for teeth grinding in 2024. We've researched the top night guards available, from over-the-counter options to custom-made mail-order guards.

Our top picks are Sporting Smiles and Smile Brilliant, but you might find another brand that suits you best. We made our selection by looking at each guard's materials, creation process, purchase options, dentist recommendations, and of course, price.

Keep reading to find the best option, and stop grinding your teeth once and for all. Learn more about why you grind your teeth in our guide to bruxism.

Best night guard for teeth grinding 2024

Sporting Smiles: Best overall

Sporting Smiles offers a wide variety of different nightguard options and packages, making this a good choice if you're looking for a specific fit and thickness. They have a

Their mouthguard options include:

• Flexible super hard
• Flexible hardback cut — Daytime wear for hard grinders!
• Dual laminate guard
• Dual laminate back cut — Great for daytime wear!
• Soft grinding guard
• Hard grinding guard – read our guide
• Emergency guard — Ships in 6 days!

If you're looking specifically for a comfortable night guard, you may want to consider the soft grinding guard, or if you're looking for something more discreet, then the back-cut options are worth considering.

These mouthguards are made in the US (Wisconsin) and are delivered to your door with free shipping. Prices start at just $100, making this one of the most affordable custom-made night guards you can find!

Smile Brilliant: Best runner-up

Smile Brilliant is our next pick among the best custom night guards for teeth grinding.

These bruxism mouthguards are custom-made by dental lab technicians in the United States. They are designed for maximum comfort, are just 2 mm thick, and are latex- and BPA-free.

Smile Brilliant lets you choose your custom night guard package based on the severity of your bruxism. There are three packs to choose from:

• Deluxe Package: 4 ultra-durable night guards, which will last 1 year with heavy grinding
• Moderate Package: 2 ultra-durable night guards, which will last for 6 months with heavy grinding
• Intro Package: 1 ultra-durable night guard, which will last for 3 months with heavy grinding

Each night guard package includes:

• Professional lab services: Your mouth guards for sleeping are formed and hand-finished in a professional dental lab in the US
• Custom-fitted guards: Smile Brilliant bruxism night guards are whisper-thin, incredibly durable, and soft and comfortable to wear while you sleep
• 1 impression tray: You'll use special impression material to create molds of your upper or lower teeth (whichever you prefer)
• 2 impression material sets: In case you don't get it perfect the first time, you get an extra set of impression material to make your molds
• Pre-paid postage, 3-way: You won't have to pay a cent for shipping to and from the lab
• Lifetime reorders: Smile Brilliant keeps your tooth impressions on file so it's fast and convenient to reorder

With Smile Brilliant, you get a 45-day trial with your order. If, after 45 days, you aren't in love with your mouthguards, you'll get a full refund.

If you're ready to stop grinding your teeth, take better care of your oral health, and sleep through the night, you can purchase your Smile Brilliant night guard kit right now.

Pro Teeth Guard: Best ultra-thin

Pro Teeth Guard has got you covered with a variety of night guard options to suit your teeth grinding and clenching needs. Check out these fantastic choices and see for yourself why it's our top pick:

• Hard Night Guard: This one's a toughie, built to withstand heavy grinding. It's the most durable option in the lineup, measuring 1.5mm thick. Priced at $209.99, it ensures long-lasting protection.
• Hybrid Night Guard: A crowd favorite, this night guard combines a hard exterior with a soft interior. It's perfect for those with moderate grinding. Coming in at 2mm thick, it strikes the right balance between comfort and durability. And the price? Just $189.99.
• Ultra Thin Night Guard: Looking for something discreet for daytime use? Look no further. This barely noticeable night guard is only 1mm thick and specially designed for daytime teeth clenching. Priced at $179.99, it provides subtle protection without drawing attention.
• Soft Night Guard: If you've got light to moderate grinding and clenching, this flexible option is for you. It's soft, flexible, and measures 1.5mm thick, offering a comfy fit. And at $169.99, it's easy on the wallet too.

Not completely satisfied with the comfort or fit? Don't worry! Pro Teeth Guard has got your back. They offer a hassle-free 110% refund within 60 days of receiving your night guard. Plus, they take care of the return shipping. It's a simple and customer-friendly policy.

Sentinel Mouthguard: Best for daytime wear

Sentinel has been in the mouthguard business for over 30 years and has a trusted reputation. They offer five guard options for teeth grinding and clenching, including a hard, no-show day mouth guard. This solves the problem for people who don't only suffer from bruxism or clenching at night, but also during the day.

These guards are cut down in the front, so none of your front teeth are covered by the guard, meaning total discreetness. And for chronic cheek biters, Sentinel also offers tongue and cheek-biting relief guards made especially to protect your soft oral tissue.

Dentek Dental Guard: Best over-the-counter night guard

The Dentek night guard is available for purchase over-the-counter or on Amazon. They feature a cushioned upper layer for comfort and a ground shield on the bottom layer. There is also a forming tray to aid in custom-fitting it to your teeth.

Your purchase comes with the following:

• Fitting tray
• 1 dental guard
• Antimicrobial case

The instructions are easy to follow:

• Rinse your dental guard in warm water
• Place it over your lower teeth and bite down
• Continue to adjust as needed

One set should last for 6 months with proper care.

You can read more about Dentek guards in our full review here.

Different types of night guard

Of the night guards mentioned above, Smile Brilliant, Sporting Smiles, and Sentinel are all custom-made night guards, and Dentek is an over-the-counter adjustable guard. Each person will have different treatment needs when it comes to protecting teeth from grinding at night. What may work for one person may not be the best option for another.

Below we go over the basics of each kind:

Custom-made mail-order guards

These include the Smile Brilliant mouth guards that we first mentioned. You order an impression kit online to make your mold impressions at home. Next, you send the impressions to the dental technicians who will make your night guards in a dental lab.

Once they are made, you'll get them shipped to your home, and you can start wearing them. Companies like Cheeky night guards usually keep your fit information record. This makes it easier to reorder more when you need them.

Adjustable night guards

These are made of a more flexible material. You can continue to adjust them to your mouth after warming them in warm (not hot or boiling) water. You can do this repeatedly until you get your desired fit.

Boil-and-bite night guards

These require you to boil them in water and then bite down on them to fit them into your mouth. Once you bite down and the guard has cooled, you won't be able to adjust them any further.

One-size-fits-all night guards

This is the least ideal style of night guards. There is a higher chance that they won't fit your teeth. This can cause discomfort when you wear them, potentially affecting your sleep. For some people, these do work and certainly have a cheaper price tag.

How to choose the best night guard for teeth grinding

There's a lot to keep in mind when you're considering which night guard to purchase. You'll need to think about the materials, comfort, instructions for use, durability, and of course, value for the price. Let's have a look at some of the main factors in this decision:

• Fit: A precise fit is extremely important, considering that you'll need to be able to wear your mouth guard at night without noticing it or feeling bothered by it. Many people opt for custom mouthguards instead of one-size-fits-all or the type you need to fit at home.
• Comfort: This will depend on the materials used, the fit, and the mouthguard style. Mouthguards that are professionally made to fit your teeth will be the most comfortable.
• Style: There are various styles of night guards for teeth. These include some that are fitted to your teeth at a dental lab, one-size-fits-all models, or models that you fit at home either by boiling and biting or by adjusting a soft, flexible mold.
• Durability: The best quality mouth guard for grinding teeth will also be the most durable. But keep in mind that this doesn't necessarily mean the length of time they last before breaking, nor the thickness, but rather how long they can effectively protect your teeth from grinding. This will also depend on the severity of your bruxism. Heavy teeth grinders will have to replace their devices more frequently. This is why we recommend going with a brand like Smile Brilliant, which keeps your teeth impressions on file so you can easily order a replacement when needed.
• Price: Purchasing your dental guard on Amazon will be cheaper than buying it from your dentist or ordering custom-fitted night guards from a professional dental lab. However, for many people, the better fit, increased comfort, and higher level of efficacy are well worth a higher price tag.

It is important to avoid partial coverage mouthguards that do not fully cover the maxillary and mandibular occlusion. A study comparing OTC splints shows that these partial splints may cause tooth movement. Therefore, only use them at your dentist's recommendation.

How do custom-fit night guards work?

Custom-fit night guards are the best option in terms of comfort, fit, and function. And if you order one online, you'll pay much less than you would at the dentist. Here's how it works:

• Order your impression kit: Go to the site of your choice and select the night guards you want. You'll receive your impression kit in the mail and make your dental impressions at home. You'll then send your impressions to the lab in the included prepaid envelope.
• The lab custom-makes your devices: Once the lab receives your impressions, they will craft your mouthguards to the exact fit of your teeth and finish them for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
• Wear your teeth guards: You'll receive your tailor-made mouth guard for sleep in the mail so you can start protecting your teeth right away. Typically, your dental impressions are kept on file with the company, so they're easy to reorder when it's time to replace them.

Do I need a mouthguard for grinding teeth?

If you're unsure whether you need a mouth guard, visiting your dentist is a great place to start. Your dentist will check your teeth for signs like enamel erosion, chips, or worn-down teeth. Other indicators that you grind your teeth at night could be chronic neck and lower jaw stiffness and toothache.

Tooth grinding can cause irreversible damage to your teeth if it persists. Also, clenching your teeth can cause them to chip and fracture. Determining the root cause of bruxism is important in considering the best approach to deal with it. As it could be primary or secondary, it could be a side effect of another medication.

Other conditions like stress, certain neurological conditions, and other medications may also contribute to the grinding and clenching of teeth. Smoking and alcohol consumption won't help, either. You might also experience bruxism after getting braces, so you'll need a night guard for braces.

Your dentist can help you identify the root cause and recommend the appropriate treatment to halt grinding your teeth altogether.

The video below shows you how to recognize the indicators that you may be a nighttime tooth grinder:

Conclusion

Dental night guards are plastic devices that fit over your top or bottom teeth to protect against teeth grinding. Bruxism can be a serious, albeit common, problem that 1 out of 3 Americans suffer from.

If you grind your teeth at night, it's important to speak with your dentist to find a solution. There are various types of night guards, and you can get the most effective from your dentist. You can also get a custom-made night guard at a dental lab. There are also prescription nightguards like NTI that can ease TMJ pain.

If you want to purchase the best overall nightguard to protect your teeth, consider custom night guards by Pro Teeth Guard. They are just 3mm thick, comfortable, durable, and tailor-made for your teeth. Pro Teeth Guard keeps your records so that it's fast and easy to re-order when you need them.

FAQs

Should a night guard shift your teeth?

No, a night guard shouldn't move your teeth at all. The purpose is to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. If you suspect that your mouthguard may be shifting your teeth, you should discontinue use immediately.

You may be able to tell if a night guard is moving your teeth if you experience tightness or discomfort when wearing it or right after putting it in.

The best way to avoid this problem is by purchasing custom bruxism mouthguards instead of cheaper, one-size-fits-all options.

How do you clean a night guard?

You can clean your night guard with your toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also rinse it with soap and water, clean it with vinegar, or use a denture cleaner. Make sure to read the cleaning instructions by your mouthguard makers to avoid damage.

Why do my teeth hurt after wearing night guards?

Your teeth may hurt after wearing a night guard as a result of size and thickness mismatch. This is most common in one-size-fits-all mouthguards since they aren't designed specifically for your teeth.

If you experience tooth or jaw pain after wearing this type of night guard, discontinue use immediately. Talk to your dentist about getting custom-fitted bruxism mouthguards. Your dentist should also check for other oral health problems that may be causing the pain.