General Dentistry
Custom Mouth Guards in Fullerton, CA
A night guard works like a seatbelt: it protects your teeth while you address the cause.
Most people who grind their teeth do not know they do. The news usually arrives second-hand, from a partner who hears the noise or a dentist who spots wear.
What Does a Night Guard Do?
A night guard, properly called an occlusal splint, is a custom-fitted appliance worn over the teeth during sleep. Its job is to protect: the guard takes the wear from grinding and clenching instead of your teeth. That matters, because enamel does not grow back, and years of grinding can lead to extensive restorative work. A custom guard is made from an impression or scan of your own teeth, so it is thinner, stays in place better and is designed for the bite to meet evenly across it. The biggest practical advantage is that people actually wear it.
Signs You May Be Grinding
A dentist can often confirm grinding from the wear pattern on your teeth.
- Jaw and Head Waking with a tight, tired or aching jaw, or headaches around the temples.
- Tooth Wear Teeth that look flattened, chipped at the edges or shorter than they used to be.
- Other Clues Morning sensitivity, a partner who hears grinding, or fillings that keep chipping.
Custom Versus Off-the-Shelf
Pharmacy boil-and-bite guards are inexpensive and can be a reasonable short-term measure. They are bulkier and less comfortable, though, and a poorly fitting guard can change how the teeth meet. If you wear a guard, bring it to your checkups: its wear pattern shows how much grinding is going on and whether it is changing.
What Else Helps
- Better sleep quality
- Lower stress, especially before bed
- Less alcohol and late caffeine
- Noticing and relaxing daytime clenching
- Adjusting a specific high spot in the bite
Jaw Pain or Clicking?
Grinding can affect the jaw joint too. See TMJ treatment, or the full list of services.
The short answer
A night guard, properly called an occlusal splint, is a custom-fitted appliance worn over the teeth during sleep that takes the wear from grinding and clenching instead of your teeth. A custom guard is made from an impression or scan of your own teeth, so it is thinner, stays in place better and lets the bite meet evenly. It protects the teeth rather than fixing the cause, so it is most useful alongside steps such as better sleep and lower stress.
Mouth Guard FAQ
- Will a night guard stop me grinding?
- A night guard is protective rather than a fix for the cause. The guard takes the wear instead of your teeth while you address what is driving the grinding. Think of it as a seatbelt.
- Why choose a custom guard over a pharmacy one?
- A custom guard is made from an impression or scan of your own teeth. It is thinner, stays in place better and is designed for an even bite. Because it is more comfortable, people are far more likely to keep wearing it.
- How do I know if I grind my teeth?
- Common signs include waking with a sore jaw, temple headaches and teeth that look flattened or chipped. A partner may hear grinding at night. A dentist can often confirm it from the wear pattern alone.
- When should I book sooner rather than later?
- Book promptly if your jaw locks open or shut, or if pain is persistent rather than occasional. The same applies if you cannot open as wide as you used to, or teeth are visibly chipping. Those suggest the joint or teeth are already being affected.
Insurance & Financing
Benefits and participation vary by plan. Please contact our office so we can help you verify your coverage and understand your options before treatment.
CareCredit and Cherry are available. Terms and approval are set by each provider.