Texas Gentle Dental makes custom-fitted night guards for teeth grinding and jaw clenching (bruxism). Each guard is made by a professional dental lab from an impression of your teeth, so it fits your bite instead of a one-size shape. Patients in Houston and west Houston visit our Copperfield Houston office on FM 529 or our Cinco Ranch office on Westheimer Parkway, and families north of Houston can visit our Magnolia office. Night guards are part of our orthodontic services, alongside TMJ treatment and braces.
Night Guards for Teeth Grinding in Houston TX
Many people grind or clench their teeth while they sleep and don't know it until a partner hears it or a dentist sees the wear. Over time, grinding can:
- wear down enamel and flatten the biting edges of your teeth
- chip or crack teeth and fillings
- make teeth sensitive to hot and cold
- leave your jaw sore or tired in the morning, with headaches, facial pain or earaches
- irritate your gums
A night guard sits between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep. Your teeth press against the guard instead of each other, which protects the enamel and takes pressure off your jaw.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth at Night
- You wake up with a sore jaw, tight cheeks or a dull headache.
- Someone has heard you grinding while you sleep.
- Your teeth look shorter, flatter or chipped, or feel more sensitive than they used to.
- Your jaw clicks, pops or feels stiff when you open your mouth.
Jaw pain, clicking and grinding can also be signs of a jaw joint problem. If that's the case, a night guard is often one part of TMJ treatment.
Custom Night Guards vs Store-Bought Guards
- Fit: a custom guard is made from an impression of your teeth. Store-bought and boil-and-bite guards are shaped to fit most mouths, so they can feel bulky or loose.
- Comfort: a guard that fits properly is easier to sleep in and lets you breathe comfortably.
- Protection: a well-fitted guard stays in place all night, so it keeps protecting your teeth while you sleep.
- Bite check: we check how the guard meets your teeth and adjust it if needed, so it doesn't put pressure in the wrong places.
A night guard for teeth grinding is different from a sports mouth guard. Sports guards are thicker and protect teeth from impact during contact sports. Night guards are designed to be slim enough to sleep in.
Upper or Lower Night Guard?
A night guard can be made for your top teeth or your bottom teeth. Which one is right depends on your bite, how you grind and what's comfortable for you. We'll look at your teeth and recommend the option that protects them best.
What to Expect
- Exam: we check your teeth for wear, chips and sensitivity, look at your jaw and bite, and talk about your symptoms.
- Impression: we take an impression of your teeth so the lab can make a guard that fits.
- Fitting: when your guard is ready, we make sure it fits snugly and comfortably and adjust it if needed.
- Check-ups: bring your guard to your regular visits so we can check its fit and look for wear.
Caring for Your Night Guard
Rinse your guard after you take it out each morning and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Let it dry, then store it in its case, away from heat and pets. With good care, a lab-made night guard can last for years.
A few habits can also help reduce grinding: relax your jaw during the day and keep your teeth slightly apart, avoid chewing gum, pens or ice, and cut back on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening.
Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
We'll explain the cost of your night guard after your exam, before anything is made. We accept most major dental plans and will check your benefits for you. Payment options, including CareCredit, are available. See our financing page and insurance information.
Night Guards Near You in Houston, Katy and Magnolia
Our Copperfield Houston office is at 17301-A FM 529, Houston, TX 77095. Our Cinco Ranch office is at 20680 Westheimer Pkwy Ste 50, Katy, TX 77450. North of Houston, our Magnolia office is at 18252 FM 1488 #120, Magnolia, TX 77354. We have seven offices across the Houston area. Find the location nearest you, and ask about night guards when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions — Night Guards
Do I need a night guard if I grind my teeth?
If grinding is wearing down your teeth or leaving your jaw sore, a night guard is one of the simplest ways to protect them. We'll check your teeth and let you know whether a guard makes sense for you.
Is it normal for my teeth to feel sore after wearing a night guard?
Some people feel mild pressure for the first few nights while they get used to a new guard. If your teeth or jaw still hurt after that, or the guard feels tight in one spot, bring it in so we can check the fit and adjust it.
Can I wear a sports mouth guard at night instead?
Sports guards are built for impact and are usually too bulky to sleep in comfortably. A night guard is made to be slim and to fit your bite, so it's the better choice for grinding.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth and eases the pressure on your jaw, but it doesn't always stop the habit itself. If grinding is related to your jaw joint, we may also recommend TMJ treatment.
Does insurance cover night guards?
Some dental plans cover part of the cost of a night guard. We accept most major dental plans and will check your benefits before your guard is made.
Book a night guard visit at our Copperfield Houston office, our Cinco Ranch office or our Magnolia office.
