Looking for a soft night guard to stop teeth grinding?
Hard night guards can provide good protection and are very durable, but soft night guards are more comfortable to wear. Even though soft night guards are less durable, they can be a good solution for many people who are suffering from bruxism.
Stress, anxiety, sleep problems, snoring, excessive alcohol use, smoking, and certain antidepressant medications may all contribute to teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).
When it happens every now and again, it's typically not a huge problem. If, on the other hand, grinding or clenching becomes a behavior problem, it is necessary to take care to protect your teeth. Soft night guards may help in this situation.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What are soft night guards?
- What are soft night guards made of?
- What are the best soft night guards for clenching and teeth grinding?
- Soft night guards vs. hard night guards
Also, read our in-depth guide to dental night guards to learn about the best products for preventing teeth grinding.
Table of contents
What are soft night guards?
A soft night guard is a plastic tray that slips over your upper teeth and keeps your teeth from grinding and clenching as you sleep. It forms a barrier between your lower and upper teeth.
When you clench your jaw, these night guards help reduce stress and cushion the muscles in your jaw. Soft night guards, unlike hard night guards, are made from a pliable rubber that is more flexible than the other types. This kind of night guard is often used by those who have moderate bruxism or who clench their teeth without grinding them.
Is a soft night guard a good choice?
Before deciding whether you want to use soft night guards, carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages. Soft night guards have benefits and drawbacks and are not recommended for everyone.
Here's what you should know about soft night guards:
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Dental work and veneers
For people with dental work or veneers, a soft night guard is often advised, especially if it's more of a protective measure and you don't have a history of excessive clenching or grinding.
A soft night guard could be beneficial for you if you often require dental treatment or are planning dental work in the future. Although it will still be made from an impression of your teeth, the flexible material will give you a bit more wiggle room if your mouth changes.
Even filling a cavity, which is a reasonably routine and straightforward treatment, might result in minor changes in your mouth.
However, if you’re a heavy grinder, you’ll be at a disadvantage wearing a soft night guard. You'll bite through them quickly! And there are also other risks of using a soft night guard as a heavy grinder. A firm night guard may cost more than a soft night guard, but it will be far less costly than replacing your veneers.
Missing teeth
When a person has missing teeth, a firm night guard enables a dental lab technician to fill in the gaps, allowing your teeth to be supported and aligned. Without such support, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are more susceptible to move or shift. Soft night guards do not give this support because they are more flexible.
Retainers
If you need to wear a nighttime retainer, you can still purchase a night guard. You may be tempted to keep wearing your retainer in the hopes that it will protect your teeth like a dental night guard, but a retainer is not meant to cushion and protect your teeth like a night guard.
However, if you're going to replace your retainer with a dental night guard, don’t go with a soft night guard, as they will not hold the teeth in place and are not made for this purpose.
Soft night guards vs. hard night guards
When it comes to comparing soft night guards vs hard night guards, you’ll find advantages and disadvantages on both sides. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks you should consider before making a purchase.
Soft night guards | Hard night guards |
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Soft night guard cost
If you've been diagnosed with bruxism or TMJ disorder, your dentist will almost certainly suggest a night guard as a treatment option. But how much does a soft night guard cost?
The price of a soft night guard varies greatly. Custom night guards from online retailers typically cost $100 to $200, a dental night guard obtained from a dentist costs between $300 and $800, and an over-the-counter night guard costs $20 to $30.
Where you get the soft night guard and the severity of your bruxism decide the price.
Recommended soft night guards
It can be difficult to choose whether soft night guards or hard night guards are the best for you. There are some benefits and drawbacks to both types. While hard night guards provide more durability, soft night guards are more comfortable to wear.
Don't overlook the disadvantages of using a soft night guard. Because humans have a natural desire to chew on objects, some patients' bruxism might worsen.
Therefore, we recommend the Smile Brilliant night guards as they provide the best of both types. They are just 2 mm thick, super durable, and developed for optimal comfort, like soft night guards. These bruxism night guards are custom-made in the United States by dental lab technicians.
You may customize your Smile Brilliant night guard package depending on the severity of your bruxism. There are three different packages to choose from:
Intro Package | Moderate Package | Deluxe Package |
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You'll get one ultra-durable night guard that can last up to three months with heavy grinding. | You'll get two ultra-durable night guards that will last up to six months when used regularly. | You'll receive four ultra-durable night guards that will last a year even if you are a heavy grinder. |
The following items are included in each night guard package:
- Custom-fitted night guards: Smile Brilliant's bruxism night guards are ultra-thin, ultra-durable, and soft and pleasant to wear while sleeping.
- Professional lab services: Your night guards are handcrafted in a professional dental lab in the United States.
- One tray for impressions: You'll make molds of your upper or lower teeth using special impression material.
- Two sets of impression materials: You receive an additional set of impression materials to produce your molds if you don't get it right the first time.
- Three-way pre-paid postage: You will not be charged anything for shipping to and from the lab!
- Lifetime reorders: Smile Brilliant maintains your teeth impressions on file so that reordering is simple and quick.
Conclusion
Because both hard and soft night guards have benefits and downsides, it is difficult to choose between them. If you’re a heavy grinder or you usually wear a retainer, you should always choose a night guard with maximum durability. If you’re just a moderate grinder, a soft night guard might be sufficient.
If you're looking for maximum comfort, like with a soft night guard, but you also need maximum durability because you’re a heavy grinder, we recommend the SmileBrilliant night guards, as they provide the best of both worlds.