Night-time Grinding of Teeth -- What Works, Dentist Guard or OTC?

My hubby used an over the counter version for a few years. He went through SEVERAL before finding one he found comfortable and felt like it worked. But after visiting his dentist, the OTC was not doing the job like it should. We wasted a lot of money trying different guards. He finally got a real dental guard and he loves it. It's comfortable at night, doesn't hurt his jaw and he teeth are not getting damaged any further. For him, it would be worth the investment.

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My dentist was only charging $350 for one. Asking around might be a good idea.

I wasn't ready to spend the $350, so I bought one at the drug store for $20 and followed the fitting directions carefully. I even had to trim it a little bit. I was very happy with the results. It worked well for about a year, then it was time for a new one.

But here's the other good news. I filled out the form that came in the box with the dental guard and they sent me a second one for no cost. The brand I have is CVS Nighttime Dental Guard. I was cautioned to be certain to get the night time one and not the one made for people who need them for sports.

Whether you try the OTC one or have one made professionally, by all means do something. I didn't have any idea how miserable I was from grinding my teeth until I had a night's sleep with the dental guard. I'm a new person now. And my husband says I don't snore at night anymore, so he's a new person too! ;)

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I.ve been a grinder for years. I have used both OTC and dental guards.

The OTC's work somewhat but not for long.

I had 1 made years ago with my Dentist and it was great, however, my dog ate it and I did not replace the $500 piece!

Fast forward, things have been worse the last 6 months. I tried the OTC again and it just was not doing the trick.

I have been wearing my new $500 guard and feel SO much better. My jaws are not as tight in the am and I do not have the pains that go through my neck to temple area. I am glad I spent the $500.

My Dr. will adjust it anytime it needs it. He said to bring it in when I come in for cleanings and he will make sure all is still ok with it.

I am SO glad I went ahead and spent the money now. I feel better.

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Call around to other dental practices and just ask what they charge for a night guard. Our office charges $300. The OTC ones rarely work, only because they are a one size fits all so they don't fit everyone. Your dentist will make a custom fit guard so you shouldn't have any problems. They occasionally need to be adjusted, but it can be done right at your dentist's office.

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$1000 sounds very high. $350-$400 sounds about right. There is an occlusal guard which fits over ur teeth, usually the bottom teeth. They are bulky, and sometimes make people grind more, but do protect the teeth and act like a shock absorber.There is also an NTI which is very small and fits over your front four teeth, it has a little nub that goes in between your teeth, preventing your back teeth from touching so you can't grind your teeth together. I have both types and wear both when I have pain in tmj or migraines. I should wear it all the time, but sometimes it bugs me. I would definitely check around. People can grind their teeth down to nubs. A biteguard or an NTI can save you literally thousands of dollars. I wouldn't use a boil and bite as you can really damage your joint if it isn't adjusted properly. Good luck.

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$1000?!! I am also a grinder and if I don't wear a guard at night, I'll wake up with a headache, guaranteed. Also my jaws are almost sore from grinding. It's terrible.

My last guard cost $300 and I wore a hole through where one of my incisors would bite down in about 6 months. Now I'm using a set of bleaching trays - they were on special at my dentist for $150 including 6 syringes of bleach...and I just wear them at night for my guards...sometimes I add bleach too and now my teeth are super white too. Check around, don't spend $1000 on this, that's ridiculous they are charging you that much! Highway robbery!

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I wasted $654.00 on mine only to finally convince the denstist something ELSE was the issue. He sent me to a TMJ specialist and found out I have one of the worse cases she has ever treated.

My new one has done WONDERS for me. My migraines and jaw issues are much more manageable now and worth the money. I think after insurance it was about $100.00 but I can't remember exactly.

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I jsut wanted to toss out that there are different types of professional guards out there. I've had the horseshoe shaped ones, I've had that on the top which i pushed out with my tongue and then on the bottom which worked better, my new dentist, insists on this tiny one that just covers two of my bottom front teeth, and it's angled so my top teeth are supposed to just touch it and then bounce right off because it's like a slide and you aren't BITING down on it. Still doesn't work I wear a groove in it side to side. I haven't really found a great solution for me, if your case is different or less severe you might find a night guard solves all your problems.

Personally i wouldn't bother with the boil ones you get from the drug store.

Relaxation techniques might help. I was told NOT to lock my tongue to the roof of my mouth, to actually open my mouth a little so my tongue wasn't constantly pressing, that has helped some. Another thing that i've been wondering about lately --well it's a little weird, I can go all night with out getting up to use the bathroom, but i'm wondering if maybe when my bladder is full if i clench and grind my teeth even though i don't wake up to actually get up and go. I'm considering setting an alarm clock just to get up to empty my bladder and see if that helps. I'm also sure I'm not getting enough sleep and that probably doesn't help. You can research what type of pillow would be best for clenchers, someone recommended a Water Pillow but i haven't taken the time to track one down for myself yet.

I don't remember my costs, but I does seem like maybe checking around is a good idea. My dentist says he can smooth out the grooves i've worn in this little guard any time and i don't even have to be seen, just drop it off and pick it back up.

**** ONE thing I would warn You is to not EVER EVER let them grind down your front teeth to fit a guard. I had a dentist do this with out telling me what he was doign and now I can't bite anything because my front teeth don't touch, plus i look stupid.
I'm sure if your case is mild they wouldn't do this to you, i've ground my teeth for over twenty years so mine were way way bad, but just tell them up front you've heard horror stories and don't want them to file your teeth down.

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I don't grind my teeth, but I have TMJ.
Lacking funds for a fitted mouthguard, my dentist suggested an over the counter mouthguard.
I get them at Rite Aid. You warm them up in hot water then let them cool a bit and pop them in your mouth and they actually "fit" themselves. It's like $5 for two of them in a package. They've definitely helped me.
For the price, it's worth it to try it. I'd be crazy to spend $1,000 when the over the counter guards keep my jaws from locking. They serve the purpose.

Best wishes.

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Definitely ask around. Mine cost $300 from the dentist, it's on the front teeth only so it's a lot more comfortable. It's lasted 3 years now and still going strong - and no more damage to my teeth!

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P., I just went through this same thing. Many of the OTC night guards say on the label "Do NOT use if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition like TMJ, etc. etc." Not sure what the heck people use them for, but OK?!?! I went to my dentist and they told me they made a "special" night guard that would solve all of my problems. It, too, came with a price tag of $1000. I almost fell out of my chair. A friend of the family is an orthodontist and he gave me the name of someone else to call. I made a quick phone call and their night guards ran about $300 (without insurance) and that included ALL of my adjustments. I have not had ANY problems since getting this nightguard. I hope this helps you, but please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions.

PS - Someone else mentioned this, but if you do decide to get a nightguard from the dentist and have dogs, you will need to be very careful. There is something about them that dogs LOVE. Often times people will have trouble adjusting to them at first and by mistake take them out during the night not realizing it. Dogs will sniff them out and chew them up like crazy, which means you have to go back to the dentist to get a new one. Since our dog sleeps in our bedroom with us, my dentist made me promise to find a new place for the dog to sleep for a couple of weeks while I was getting used to mine.

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I'm a severe clencher/grinder at night. All my front teeth are worn flat and I've had 7 cracked molars!!! I had no idea until I switched dentists about 5 years ago and he made me aware of it my first visit.

I had the mold done in the office and the total was $400....Aetna dental insurance covered 80% so I just owed $80 for it. It works wonderfully. Not one more cracked molar in the last 5 years. I've heard the OTC guards aren't as good and that they can fall out while you're grinding. Your dentist is saying it'll be $1000? That seems steep, compared to what mine was. I'd recommend shopping around and seeing what other dentists would charge. Who cares if it comes with 3 fittings/year. The thing is molded to your mouth...once it fits it should always fit. I've never had mine looked at even once/year. I had to return a couple of times right in the beginning (like the first couple weeks) but that's because it's hard to know right when they put it in the first time if it's the right fit as its so awkward to begin with.

Good luck!

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$1000 is a lot of money for anything, but it will be worthwhile! I have been a dental assistant for 3 years so I know a few things. You may want to 'shop around' a little to see if there is a dentist that can do the mouthgaurd cheaper, but honestly that is around the going rate. The reason for the cost is mostly for materials and lab fees. The dentist does not make the mouthgaurd. They take your impressions and later on can adjust it a little, but they have to send it out to a lab to be made, which is costly. Yea Im sure one of the mouthgaurds from the drugstore may help, but it may also make things worse if it doesnt fit properly. If you go without a mouth guard, over time your teeth can wear down significantly, I have also seen people who have chipped or broken teeth from nighttime clenching and grinding. Fixing those teeth willl cost you MUCH more than $1000. It is a preventative measure. The ones that you boil and do yourself are not good quality, will not fit as good, and that can cause you to have TMJ or jaw pain, which usually causes headaches and migrains as well!
I have never heard of anyone overcoming grinding or clenching by meditation. Maybe hypnosis? I dont know, if that stuff really works! It is usually sourced from stress, which may be obvious, or a deep subconcious thing.

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I was quoted $350 a while back for a guard. I didn't have the money and didn't buy it...they also told me a guard bought from the store would also work or at least help...they actually told me to try it out first (one from a store) to make sure I could handle the change before buyign the expensive one...I knew I couldn't afford the expensive one so I didn't even bother trying the store bought one.

1000 seems very high. Although I don't think mine offered three adjustments but even at that and extra 600 seems a bit much

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My husband is a big time grinder. He had one custom made at the dentist years ago but then ground threw it after a few years and needed a new one. That's when he switched to the over the counter. The dentist says that they work the same but will not be as comfortable as the one he custom makes. At $20 vs $300+ we will deal with the OTC not being as 'sleek'. According to his dentist there is nothing you can do to prevent it. I'd like to believe there is but I accept his professional opinion.

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I developed TMJ due to teeth grinding in my early twenties. I ground my teeth day and night. I had a pretty bad case with my jaws being pretty much locked shut in the morning. For me the only option would have been surgery, but since my dental would not pay for it that was not really an option for me.

The guard will only help protect your teeth from grinding, it won't actually help with the TMJ. I had a dentist fitted one but I found it uncomfortable to wear at night and stopped wearing it after maybe a year or so.

When I got pregnant I started learning relaxation techniques to prepare for a drug-free birth. I would have NEVER anticipated it, but a side effect of this was that my TMJ symptoms almost disappeared. It is not totally gone, but I do not grind as much any more and my TMJ symptoms are reduced by about 90% - no more waking up with a locked jaw!
During the day I still practice conscious relaxation to relieve the tension and as a result I also grind a lot less at night.
I would strongly recommend that you try it before spending thousands of $$$ on guards or surgery. You can probably get a book, join a yoga group (I used techniques from my prenatal yoga class, a lot of blowing raspberries and breathing) or find suggestions online.

Good luck.

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I'm a grinder, too. Your dentist is overcharging you big time. My dentist quoted me $350 for a guard. My mom grinds her teeth, too. But she didn't want to pay for the expensive guard. Her dentist then recommended that she go to a sports store and buy a mouth guard there. You might check into that; she said it was around $40 and although it's not a mold of her teeth, it works for her.

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My mouth guard was NOT that much - maybe a couple a hundred dollars. And, no it did not work out. Maybe b/c it was cheaper is why, I don't know. But 1000.00 is an awful lot, I would get at least 2-3 opinions before I committed. When I suspect a dentist is charging too much, EVERY TIME I have gone to another and was offered a much better deal. Once I had a pedi dentist want to charge 700.00 to fill 7 cavities on an 8 year old. I went to another dentist and I was charged my co-pay and only filled 4 cavities!!!!! Dentists can be very crooked!

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I used to work for a dentist, save your money and get the over the counter one that you can cut to size. The OTC ones have come a long way and are much more comfortable then they once were. Give that a try and if it works great, if not maybe it can work while you save up for the custom fit one from the dentist.

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My store bought one worked well for a while until we added a boat load of stress to our lives. I would shop around - mine isn't covered by insurance and only cost $200. I may check into if I can get reimbursed for it by my health insurance though. That's a great idea!

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You might want to check with your HEALTH insurance to see if it would cover it.

When I was a freshman in college I started grinding my teeth and having severe headaches as a result. My parents' dental insurance didn't cover it, but our health insurance DID.

I used a regular boil-bite sports mouthguard until my professional one was made. It did the trick, but I had a very bad drooling problem and had to sleep with a towel on my pillow(thank God my roommates were 3 friends from high school, or I'd have been very embarrassed.)

The professional one did the trick for me beautifully.

Before you get one, though, try to find out what is stressing you out. I had a return to bruxism a few years ago, and finally realized that I was anxious about my son waking up during the night, since I had to get up for work the next day. Once he stopped his night waking, my bruxism resolved.

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