How To Choose The Best Night Guard For Yourself

Wondering how to choose a mouthguard? You’ve come to the right place! We understand that everyone has unique needs and preferences, so we’re here to provide the information required to determine what type of night guard is best for you. Here’s everything you need to know to select the perfect night guard that ticks all the boxes!

Why Wear a Night Guard?

Teeth grinding, or bruxism is a sleep disorder that can harm your teeth’s enamel and expose it to harmful germs and bacteria. Untreated bruxism can also lead to severe jaw pain, headaches, and sore gums. A custom mouthguard can prevent these unpleasant symptoms. Learning how to choose a mouthguard ensures that the solution matches the problem!

Custom night guards are recommended by dentists, so you can rest assured that they’ll work for your bruxism. That said, picking one out can be tricky due to the range of options available. This guide highlights the differences among our products.

Why Choose Custom Night Guards?

While over-the-counter mouthguards are easy to obtain, custom mouthguards are significantly more beneficial. They’re designed to fit your mouth perfectly (even if you have slightly crooked teeth or have had dental work done), which naturally makes for a more comfortable fit and better results.

Additionally, once you know how to choose a mouthguard, you can be confident that the one you select aligns with your personal needs and goals. For example, if you’re a heavy teeth grinder, you can opt for a thicker night guard for extra protection.

What Type of Night Guard Is Best for You?

Because you’ll be wearing your night guard throughout the night, it’s very important that it’s comfortable and doesn’t cause any jaw pain. You’ll also need to make sure the night guard is strong enough to protect your teeth from bruxism.

Some people have mild bruxism, meaning they don’t need heavy-duty support. In that case, a softer, thinner mouth guard is ideal. On the other hand, those with severe bruxism will need a thicker, stronger night guard.

Here’s how to choose a mouthguard that provides the right amount of protection.

Soft night guards are the most commonly used guards for bruxism. They're made from a soft, flexible material similar to rubber. This material is good for cushioning your teeth against light to moderate grinding and clenching.

These guards may help your jaw muscles relax and prevent headaches. If you have sensitive teeth, this mouth guard may also help to prevent sensitivity. Because they’re so comfortable, you can also wear them during the day if you tend to clench your jaw subconsciously.

If you’re not sure how to choose a mouthguard for heavy bruxism, start by comparing the soft, durable night guard and the ultra-hard mouthguard. Both are designed for heavy grinding and clenching, but as the names suggest, one is soft, and the other is hard.

What type of night guard is best for heavy bruxism? Well, you’ll need to consider just how severe your grinding and clenching are. For some people, this soft, durable night guard offers the perfect balance between protection and comfort. Others may find that the harder material is required for especially severe cases of bruxism. When in doubt, ask your dentist.

Wondering how to choose a mouthguard for daytime grinding? The ultra-thin guard’s low-profile design makes it the perfect choice. We offer both soft and hard options so you can choose the one that matches the severity of your daytime bruxism.

The hard night guard provides an excellent balance of protection and comfort. The hard acrylic material is thinner than the soft, durable night guard’s rubber-like material. So, the choice really comes down to whether you feel more comfortable with a softer, thicker material or a thinner, harder material.

If you’re wondering how to choose a mouthguard for headaches or jaw pain, chances are you grind your teeth heavily while sleeping. In that case, consider the ultra-hard night guard. It’s the same thickness as the soft, durable night guard (3mm) but made with the same hard acrylic material as the hard night guard.

What type of night guard is best for heavy bruxism? Well, the hard acrylic material is good for people who tend to chew through soft materials easily. A durable mouth guard can also relieve sore jaw muscles and prevent tooth enamel damage.

This guard might take a while to get used to because it’s a bit tighter and not as flexible as our softer guards, but it offers the highest level of protection. As you learn how to choose a mouthguard for heavy bruxism, you’ll need to find the ideal balance between comfort and the degree of sturdiness required to achieve optimal relief.

If you’re looking for a night guard that features both soft and hard materials for durable, comfortable protection, then the Dual Layer/Hybrid Night Guard may be the perfect option for you! This innovative hard/soft night guard features the best of both worlds with a hard exterior shell and a soft interior liner. This dual-layer mouthguard will protect your teeth from bruxism while offering a comfortable feel.

As you’re figuring out how to choose a mouthguard that suits your lifestyle and needs, maybe you’re looking for a versatile guard that can be used both day and night. If this sounds like you, then our Double-Duty Teeth Guard may be the perfect solution. Both suitable for daytime and nighttime grinding and clenching, this mouthguard not only eliminates the need for two separate guards but also provides comfortable protection all day long. This mouthguard is available in both soft plastic and hard acrylic options.

Should You Choose an Upper or Lower Night Guard?

The condition and arrangement of your teeth affect how well your night guard fits. Upper-teeth night guards are the most popular style because the tongue is less involved with the upper arch.

However, if you have teeth crowding, crooked teeth, missing teeth, or multiple crowns, then a lower-teeth night guard is preferred. Similarly, sticking to an upper-teeth mouthguard is the best option if your lower teeth are not aligned properly.

Comfort should be the top priority as you determine how to choose a mouthguard. If the guard isn’t comfortable, you won’t have a good night’s sleep. Furthermore, the more comfortable a night guard is, the more likely you’ll be to wear it.

Usually, people opt for upper-teeth night guards because they’re more comfortable and don't get in the way of your tongue. However, if you’re going to wear the guard during the day, lower-teeth night guards are typically better because they’re less visible when you talk and easier to manage during daytime activities.

Order Your Custom Night Guard Today

What type of night guard is best? As you can see, there’s no right or wrong answer! Now that you know how to choose a mouthguard, it’s time to get the relief you deserve.

Clear Comfort Night Guards offers custom-made night guards made by qualified dental technicians here in the USA. Our direct-to-consumer business model makes it possible for us to offer the same quality as dentist offices but at a fraction of the price!

Our products are backed by our Perfect Fit Promise—if your night guard doesn’t fit perfectly, we’ll adjust or remake it until you’re delighted. Take advantage of our no-risk 45-day trial with a 100% money-back guarantee. Relief is right around the corner. Shop now!