General Dentistry
Nightguards / Sports Guards
Two different guards for two different problems — both made to your own teeth rather than boiled to fit.
What it is
A guard bought off a shelf protects roughly as well as it fits, which is to say not very. Both kinds we make are built from a scan of your own teeth.
A nightguard is for grinding and clenching. Most people who do it have no idea until someone points out the wear on their front teeth, the flattened cusps at the back or the jaw that aches on waking. The guard does not stop the habit — it gives the forces somewhere harmless to go.
A sports guard is a different object entirely: thicker, shock-absorbing and built to stay put while you breathe hard. A well-made one protects the front teeth, the lip and, in a decent proportion of cases, the jaw joint too. We make them in team colours if you want them.
Included
What this
involves
Everything below is carried out here, by the clinician who planned it. Anything not on this list is either not needed or will be discussed with you before it is booked.
- Digital scan rather than impressions
- Hard or soft nightguards to suit the grind
- Shock-absorbing sports guards
- Wear assessment and bite check
- Team colours on request
- Fit review and adjustment
The whole family on one set of records, with the same clinician watching how each mouth changes over time.
Common questions
Good To Know
- How do I know if I grind my teeth?
- Common signs are a tight or aching jaw on waking, worn or flattened edges, sensitivity without decay, and a partner who hears it. We can usually tell from the wear pattern alone.
- Can I not just buy one from the chemist?
- You can, and it is better than nothing for sport. For grinding, a poorly fitting guard can load the jaw joint unevenly and make things worse — which is why ours are made to a scan.
- How long does a guard last?
- Typically two to five years for a nightguard depending on how hard you grind. We check the wear at each recall and tell you when it is due for replacement.
More in this area
General Dentistry
Considering nightguards / sports guards?
Come in for a consultation. We will examine, explain and give you a written plan with a price against every item — then you decide, in your own time.