Your Teeth Weren't Built for Night Shifts
Sleep bruxism — grinding and clenching — puts your teeth through hours of force they were never designed for, with none of the reflexes that protect them during the day. The damage compounds quietly: enamel flattens, edges chip, cracks propagate, old fillings fail, jaw muscles ache and crowns you paid good money for wear through. Most grinders have no idea it's happening until the exam reveals the story written on their teeth.
A custom night guard doesn't cure grinding — nothing reliably does — but it makes grinding harmless, sacrificing a replaceable layer of engineered plastic instead of your enamel.
The Signs You Might Be a Grinder
- Waking with a tired, tight or sore jaw
- Morning headaches, often around the temples
- Teeth that look shorter, flatter or chipped at the edges
- New sensitivity without new cavities
- A partner who hears grinding or squeaking at night
- Old fillings or crowns fracturing without obvious cause
Stress, sleep disorders, some medications and bite factors all contribute. Whatever the cause, the protection is the same — and it's far cheaper than the crowns and repairs that unchecked grinding eventually requires.
Why Custom Beats the Pharmacy
A custom guard starts with precise impressions of your teeth, is fabricated in durable material suited to your grinding intensity, and is fitted and adjusted so your bite meets it evenly. The result is slim, secure and comfortable enough to actually wear nightly — which is the entire ballgame, since the guard in the nightstand drawer protects nothing. Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, loose-fitting and short-lived by comparison; for a serious grinder, they're a false economy.
Getting Yours Is Easy
One short visit for an exam and impressions, one quick fitting visit when it's ready, and a few nights of adjustment while it becomes routine. Bring it to your cleanings and we'll check its wear — watching the guard slowly take the damage your teeth used to take is oddly satisfying. Most guards serve 3–10 years depending on grinding intensity.
Protect the smile you've invested in. Book a night guard assessment or call (613) 491-3300.
Night Guards — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Most grinders don't know — the telltale signs are morning jaw tightness or headaches, flattened or chipped tooth edges, unexplained sensitivity, scalloped tongue edges, and partners who hear the squeaking. We can see the wear pattern clearly at an exam.
Why not just buy a boil-and-bite guard from the pharmacy?
They're bulky, soft (some actually encourage chewing), fit loosely and rarely survive a serious grinder for long. A custom guard is made from precise impressions in durable material, calibrated to your bite — more protective, more comfortable, and far more likely to actually get worn.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding?
It doesn't stop the habit — it makes the habit harmless. The guard absorbs and redistributes the forces so the wear happens to a replaceable piece of plastic instead of your irreplaceable enamel. Many patients also find their jaw muscles relax noticeably.
Is a night guard covered by insurance?
Frequently, yes — many plans cover bruxism appliances at a substantial percentage. We'll check your coverage and bill directly, as always.