How to Choose the Best Night Guard

    Posted on March 25, 2025• 📖 4 min read

    Table of Contents

    Dentist presenting a custom night guard to a patient.

    Written by Joanne M., Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy

    Quick Answer: 😬 Grinding or clenching your teeth at night (bruxism) can damage your smile, cause jaw pain, and lead to headaches. The right night guard protects your teeth, supports jaw alignment, and improves sleep. Custom guards from NewSmile offer superior long-term comfort and protection.

    “A night guard is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth — and most people don’t realize they need one until damage has already begun.”

    😴 Understanding Nighttime Teeth Grinding

    Bruxism is a common condition where teeth are clenched or ground unconsciously, often during sleep. Over time, this can wear down enamel, strain jaw muscles, and cause headaches or TMJ issues.

    Signs you may grind your teeth:

    • • Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
    • • Morning jaw soreness or headaches
    • • Audible grinding at night (noticed by a partner)
    • • Tooth sensitivity or gum irritation

    Causes of bruxism:

    • • Stress or anxiety
    • • Bite misalignment after orthodontic treatment
    • • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
    • • Habits like chewing gum or biting objects
    Pro Tip: Early detection can prevent severe enamel damage and TMJ discomfort.

    🦷 How Night Guards Protect Your Smile

    Night guards create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, reducing the force of grinding. They also help stabilize the jaw and relieve tension in the temporomandibular joint.

    Benefits of night guards include:

    • ✔ Protecting enamel: Prevents cracks and chips
    • ✔ Reducing jaw strain: Minimizes TMJ discomfort
    • ✔ Improving sleep quality: Less tension means better rest
    • ✔ Preventing long-term damage: Saves on costly dental repairs
    “Using a NewSmile night guard has saved my teeth from further damage and eased my jaw pain significantly.”

    Step 1: Determine Your Grinding Severity

    Understanding your grinding severity — mild, moderate, or severe — helps select the right guard and prevents jaw or enamel damage.

    Mild Grinding

    • Occasional clenching
    • Minor jaw discomfort
    • No visible tooth wear

    ✅ Best option: Soft or medium OTC night guard

    Moderate to Severe Grinding

    • Grinding noises heard by a partner
    • Morning headaches or jaw pain
    • Worn, cracked, or sensitive teeth

    ✅ Best option: Custom-fit NewSmile night guard

    Step 2: Compare Night Guard Types

    The type of guard you choose depends on budget, durability, and protection needs.

    Type Pros Cons Best For
    Custom (NewSmile) Perfect fit, durable, maximum protection Requires impressions, higher upfront cost Moderate to severe grinders, TMJ sufferers
    Boil-and-Bite Affordable, better fit than OTC Less durable, may warp Moderate grinders on a budget
    OTC Low cost, easily accessible Bulky, poor fit, minimal protection Occasional or temporary use
    💡 Pro Tip: Heavy grinders benefit most from a dual-layer NewSmile guard — soft inside, tough outside for maximum protection.

    Step 3: Consider Material & Thickness

    Soft Night Guards

    • Flexible and cushioned
    • Comfortable but wears down quickly
    • Best for light clenching

    Hard or Dual-Layer Guards

    • Strong outer shell with soft inner lining
    • Provides maximum protection
    • Ideal for moderate to severe bruxism

    Step 4: Evaluate Comfort & Fit

    A night guard should feel secure and stay in place all night. Poorly fitting guards can cause jaw soreness, pop out during sleep, and worsen grinding.

    Best practice: Choose a custom-made NewSmile guard over bulky OTC options for a precise, comfortable fit.

    Step 5: Check Durability & Cost

    Type Average Cost Lifespan
    NewSmile Custom Night Guard New Customer – $149 | Existing Customer – $129 2–5 years
    Boil-and-Bite $50–$100 6–12 months
    OTC $20–$50 3–6 months

    Impression kits allow for precise custom fit: Night Guard Impression Kit – $29

    🛠 How NewSmile Night Guards Work

    1. Smile Assessment: Evaluates grinding severity and the ideal guard type.
    2. At-Home Impression Kit: Order your kit here.
    3. Custom Fabrication: Your guard is crafted to your bite for a precise fit.
    4. At-Home Use: Nightly wear protects teeth and reduces jaw strain.

    Learn more about the process at how NewSmile works.

    💰 NewSmile Night Guard Pricing

    • Night Guard Impression Kit – $29
    • New Customer Night Guard – $149
    • Existing Customer Night Guard – $129
    • Pick Your Custom Guard Plan – Choose your plan

    🛡 Night Guard Care & Oral Health Essentials

    ✔ Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Grinding & Jaw Strain

    • • Practice daily jaw relaxation exercises
    • • Avoid gum and hard foods before bed
    • • Use warm compresses for sore jaw muscles
    • • Manage stress effectively
    • • Maintain good posture during work and sleep

    💭 Final Thoughts

    Nighttime grinding can damage teeth and disrupt sleep. NewSmile custom night guards offer a comfortable, durable, and affordable solution to protect your smile and reduce jaw strain. Paired with good oral habits, they provide lasting relief and long-term dental protection.

    “My NewSmile night guard fits perfectly, protects my teeth, and has improved my sleep. I can’t imagine going without it.”

    Explore all NewSmile solutions at NewSmile Shop.

    📚 Citations

    Table of Contents

    Written by Joanne M., Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy

    Quick Answer: 😬 Grinding or clenching your teeth at night (bruxism) can damage your smile, cause jaw pain, and lead to headaches. The right night guard protects your teeth, supports jaw alignment, and improves sleep. Custom guards from NewSmile offer superior long-term comfort and protection.

    “A night guard is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth — and most people don’t realize they need one until damage has already begun.”

    😴 Understanding Nighttime Teeth Grinding

    Bruxism is a common condition where teeth are clenched or ground unconsciously, often during sleep. Over time, this can wear down enamel, strain jaw muscles, and cause headaches or TMJ issues.

    Signs you may grind your teeth:

    • • Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
    • • Morning jaw soreness or headaches
    • • Audible grinding at night (noticed by a partner)
    • • Tooth sensitivity or gum irritation

    Causes of bruxism:

    • • Stress or anxiety
    • • Bite misalignment after orthodontic treatment
    • • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
    • • Habits like chewing gum or biting objects
    Pro Tip: Early detection can prevent severe enamel damage and TMJ discomfort.

    🦷 How Night Guards Protect Your Smile

    Night guards create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, reducing the force of grinding. They also help stabilize the jaw and relieve tension in the temporomandibular joint.

    Benefits of night guards include:

    • ✔ Protecting enamel: Prevents cracks and chips
    • ✔ Reducing jaw strain: Minimizes TMJ discomfort
    • ✔ Improving sleep quality: Less tension means better rest
    • ✔ Preventing long-term damage: Saves on costly dental repairs
    “Using a NewSmile night guard has saved my teeth from further damage and eased my jaw pain significantly.”

    Step 1: Determine Your Grinding Severity

    Understanding your grinding severity — mild, moderate, or severe — helps select the right guard and prevents jaw or enamel damage.

    Mild Grinding

    • Occasional clenching
    • Minor jaw discomfort
    • No visible tooth wear

    ✅ Best option: Soft or medium OTC night guard

    Moderate to Severe Grinding

    • Grinding noises heard by a partner
    • Morning headaches or jaw pain
    • Worn, cracked, or sensitive teeth

    ✅ Best option: Custom-fit NewSmile night guard

    Step 2: Compare Night Guard Types

    The type of guard you choose depends on budget, durability, and protection needs.

    Type Pros Cons Best For
    Custom (NewSmile) Perfect fit, durable, maximum protection Requires impressions, higher upfront cost Moderate to severe grinders, TMJ sufferers
    Boil-and-Bite Affordable, better fit than OTC Less durable, may warp Moderate grinders on a budget
    OTC Low cost, easily accessible Bulky, poor fit, minimal protection Occasional or temporary use
    💡 Pro Tip: Heavy grinders benefit most from a dual-layer NewSmile guard — soft inside, tough outside for maximum protection.

    Step 3: Consider Material & Thickness

    Soft Night Guards

    • Flexible and cushioned
    • Comfortable but wears down quickly
    • Best for light clenching

    Hard or Dual-Layer Guards

    • Strong outer shell with soft inner lining
    • Provides maximum protection
    • Ideal for moderate to severe bruxism

    Step 4: Evaluate Comfort & Fit

    A night guard should feel secure and stay in place all night. Poorly fitting guards can cause jaw soreness, pop out during sleep, and worsen grinding.

    Best practice: Choose a custom-made NewSmile guard over bulky OTC options for a precise, comfortable fit.

    Step 5: Check Durability & Cost

    Type Average Cost Lifespan
    NewSmile Custom Night Guard New Customer – $149 | Existing Customer – $129 2–5 years
    Boil-and-Bite $50–$100 6–12 months
    OTC $20–$50 3–6 months

    Impression kits allow for precise custom fit: Night Guard Impression Kit – $29

    🛠 How NewSmile Night Guards Work

    1. Smile Assessment: Evaluates grinding severity and the ideal guard type.
    2. At-Home Impression Kit: Order your kit here.
    3. Custom Fabrication: Your guard is crafted to your bite for a precise fit.
    4. At-Home Use: Nightly wear protects teeth and reduces jaw strain.

    Learn more about the process at how NewSmile works.

    💰 NewSmile Night Guard Pricing

    • Night Guard Impression Kit – $29
    • New Customer Night Guard – $149
    • Existing Customer Night Guard – $129
    • Pick Your Custom Guard Plan – Choose your plan

    🛡 Night Guard Care & Oral Health Essentials

    ✔ Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Grinding & Jaw Strain

    • • Practice daily jaw relaxation exercises
    • • Avoid gum and hard foods before bed
    • • Use warm compresses for sore jaw muscles
    • • Manage stress effectively
    • • Maintain good posture during work and sleep

    💭 Final Thoughts

    Nighttime grinding can damage teeth and disrupt sleep. NewSmile custom night guards offer a comfortable, durable, and affordable solution to protect your smile and reduce jaw strain. Paired with good oral habits, they provide lasting relief and long-term dental protection.

    “My NewSmile night guard fits perfectly, protects my teeth, and has improved my sleep. I can’t imagine going without it.”

    Explore all NewSmile solutions at NewSmile Shop.

    📚 Citations

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