A night guard is a thin, precisely fitted appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from grinding and clenching, while a sports mouthguard is a thicker, cushioned guard worn during activity to absorb blows to the mouth. They are not interchangeable, and a night guard works best after a dentist has checked your teeth, bite and jaw.
Key Takeaways
- A night guard protects teeth from the forces of grinding and clenching (bruxism); a sports mouthguard protects teeth, lips and jaw from impact.
- The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends custom-fitted mouthguards for all sports at all levels, and a comfortable guard is more likely to be worn.
- Stock and boil-and-bite guards are affordable but fit less precisely; custom guards are made from an impression or scan of your teeth.
- A night guard protects enamel and dental work but does not stop grinding itself or cure jaw joint problems.
- Jaw pain, headaches or a bite that feels different are reasons to have an evaluation before buying any guard for grinding.
What is a night guard, and how is it different from a sports mouthguard?
A night guard, sometimes called an occlusal guard or splint, is an appliance made of hard or layered plastic that covers the biting surfaces of the upper or lower teeth. When you clench or grind in your sleep, your teeth meet the guard instead of each other. That shifts wear onto a replaceable piece of plastic rather than your enamel, fillings or crowns.
A sports mouthguard is designed for a different force. It is thicker and softer, usually covers the upper teeth and gums, and is shaped to spread and absorb the energy of a hit from a puck, stick, ball, elbow or fall. The Ontario Dental Association notes that a properly fitted mouthguard also protects the soft tissues around the mouth and may reduce the risk of jaw fracture by absorbing impact.
| Feature | Night guard | Sports mouthguard |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Protect teeth from grinding and clenching | Absorb impact during sport or activity |
| When worn | During sleep (sometimes during daytime clenching) | During practices and games |
| Typical material | Hard acrylic or a hard-outside, soft-inside layer | Thicker, softer, shock-absorbing plastic |
| Thickness | Thin, to allow normal breathing and sleep | Thicker, especially over front teeth |
| Arch covered | Upper or lower, chosen by the dentist | Usually upper |
| Fit | Precise contact with the bite | Snug, retained during impact |
| Main risk if ill-fitting | Uneven pressure, sore teeth or jaw | Falls out, hinders breathing, less protection |
Using the wrong appliance leads to problems. A soft sports guard worn every night is not designed for grinding forces, and a thin night guard does not provide enough cushioning for hockey.
Signs you may need a night guard for grinding
Bruxism is the clinical term for clenching or grinding the teeth. It can happen while awake, often during concentration or stress, or during sleep, when you are unlikely to notice it. According to Cleveland Clinic, bruxism is common in children, teens and young adults, and many children outgrow it.
Signs that may point to sleep grinding include:
- a bed partner hearing grinding at night;
- waking with sore jaw muscles, a tired jaw or a dull headache at the temples;
- teeth that look flatter, shorter or chipped at the edges;
- small cracks, broken fillings or crowns that keep failing;
- teeth that feel sensitive or sore in the morning;
- scalloped marks along the edges of the tongue or a ridge inside the cheeks.
Cleveland Clinic lists stress and anxiety, smoking, alcohol, heavy caffeine intake, certain medications such as some antidepressants and sleep disorders among factors associated with bruxism. Research has found a link between sleep apnea and teeth grinding. If grinding comes with loud snoring, pauses in breathing or daytime sleepiness, talk to your family doctor as well, because a night guard protects teeth but does not treat a sleep-breathing problem.
What each appliance is built to do
What a night guard does
A night guard creates a barrier between upper and lower teeth. Its main, well-supported role is protecting teeth and dental work from wear and fracture. Landmark Dental Care's preventive care includes night guards for patients who grind or clench, with the aim of preventing tooth damage and, for some patients, easing jaw soreness and morning headaches.
Relief of jaw pain varies from person to person. The U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that there is not a lot of evidence on whether splints improve temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain, and that any splint should not permanently change your bite. That is why a night guard for jaw symptoms is best designed and followed by a dentist.
What a sports mouthguard does
A sports mouthguard cushions blows to the face, holds the lips and cheeks away from the teeth and lowers the chance of chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth. The ADA's MouthHealthy site notes that mouthguards are useful not only in contact sports but also in activities such as gymnastics and skating where falls happen.
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association describes orofacial injury in sports as prevalent but preventable, and lists hockey, soccer, football, rugby, martial arts, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding among activities that call for mouth protection. If an injury does happen, see our guide to a knocked-out tooth or a chipped or cracked tooth.
What neither one does
Neither appliance straightens teeth, treats gum disease or replaces checkups. A night guard does not stop the urge to grind; it absorbs the result. A sports mouthguard reduces injury risk but cannot prevent every injury, and it is not a substitute for a helmet or face shield where those are required.
Stock, boil-and-bite or custom: which type fits?
Both night guards and sports mouthguards come in three broad types.
| Type | How it is made | Advantages | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Pre-formed, sold ready to wear | Low cost, available right away | Loose fit, bulky, may hinder breathing and speech |
| Boil-and-bite | Softened in hot water, then bitten into | Better fit than stock, widely sold | Fits less precisely, can be bitten thin, wears faster |
| Custom | Made from an impression or scan of your teeth | Best fit and comfort, even thickness, designed for your bite | Higher cost, needs dental visits |
For sports, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends custom-fitted mouthguards for all sports at all levels, and the Ontario Dental Association notes that custom guards offer the best fit and comfort without interfering with speech or breathing. Comfort matters, because a guard that stays in the bag does not protect anyone.
For grinding, fit matters even more because the guard is worn for hours every night. An over-the-counter night guard may be a reasonable short-term step for some adults, but it has limits:
- It cannot be adjusted to how your teeth meet, so pressure may be uneven.
- Soft, thick guards can feel like something to chew on, and some people find they clench against them.
- Appliances that cover only some teeth, worn without supervision, can allow teeth to shift over time.
- It does not include an exam, so cracked teeth, cavities or joint problems can be missed.
A custom night guard is shaped to your teeth and adjusted so the bite meets it evenly. Your dentist also decides whether the guard belongs on the upper or lower teeth and checks it over time.
When a dental evaluation should come first
Buying a guard is easy; knowing whether grinding is the real cause of your symptoms is harder. See a dentist before relying on any appliance if you have:
- jaw pain, clicking with pain, locking or difficulty opening your mouth;
- headaches or facial pain that are new or getting worse;
- a bite that suddenly feels different or teeth that no longer fit together the same way;
- a tooth that hurts when you bite or release;
- broken fillings, cracked teeth or loose teeth;
- a child who grinds and also snores or sleeps poorly.
A dental evaluation for suspected bruxism usually includes asking about symptoms, sleep and medications, examining tooth wear, checking the jaw muscles and joints, looking at how the teeth meet and taking X-rays when indicated. Toothaches, sinus problems and cracked teeth can mimic grinding pain, so the diagnosis matters.
Landmark Dental Care offers TMJ therapy and bite correction as part of general dentistry, in addition to night guards. For most jaw symptoms, the NIDCR recommends starting with simple, reversible steps, such as soft foods, heat or ice, gentle jaw exercises, short-term pain relievers and reducing habits like clenching or gum chewing, and it cautions against permanent bite changes without a clear reason. Any bite adjustment should follow a careful evaluation and a discussion of alternatives.
Children and teens
Grinding in young children is common and often fades as teeth change. Dentists usually monitor rather than rush to a night guard, because a growing mouth changes quickly. Sports mouthguards are a different story: children and teens in hockey, soccer, lacrosse or martial arts benefit from a well-fitting guard at every practice and game, and it needs checking as they grow.
Braces, implants and dental work
People with braces need a mouthguard designed for orthodontic brackets; ask your orthodontist or dentist. Patients with crowns, veneers, bridges or implant crowns often have more to protect from grinding, and a night guard can be part of keeping that work intact.
Getting a custom night guard or sports mouthguard
A custom appliance usually takes two short visits:
- Exam and records. The dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite and jaw, confirms that a guard is appropriate and takes impressions or a scan.
- Fabrication. The guard is made to your teeth, with the thickness and material chosen for its job.
- Fitting. At the second visit, the guard is tried in and adjusted. For a night guard, the dentist checks that your bite meets it evenly.
- Follow-up. You wear it and report back. Night guards often need a small adjustment in the first weeks.
It is normal for a new night guard to feel strange for a few nights, and some people notice extra saliva at first. Pain in the teeth or jaw that lasts, or a bite that feels off in the morning after removing the guard, should be checked.
Cost factors. Fees depend on whether the appliance is a sports guard or a night guard, the material, whether one or both arches are involved and how many adjustment visits are needed. Some private plans cover night guards or sports guards with conditions; check your plan before your visit.
Care, cleaning and replacement
A guard only helps if it stays clean, intact and well fitting. The ADA and the Ontario Dental Association give similar advice:
- Rinse the guard with cool water after each use and let it air-dry.
- Brush it gently with a soft brush; avoid hot water, which can warp it.
- Store it in a ventilated, hard case, away from heat, sunlight and pets.
- Bring it to your checkups so the fit and wear can be checked.
- Replace it if it is cracked, thin, loose, or no longer fits.
Sports mouthguards for children and teens often need replacing more often, because growing mouths and new teeth change the fit. A night guard can last longer, but heavy grinders may wear through the plastic; visible holes or flattened areas mean it is time for a check.
Night guards and sports mouthguards in Truro
Landmark Dental Care makes custom night guards and sports mouthguards and provides TMJ therapy for patients in Truro, Bible Hill and across Colchester County, at 125 Queen St in downtown Truro. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
If your family plays minor hockey, soccer or lacrosse, the start of the season is a sensible time to book a fitting so the guard is ready before the first practice. If a sports injury knocks out or breaks a tooth, call the office right away; see what counts as a dental emergency. For a serious facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding or any head injury, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre. You can call 811 for nurse advice at any time.
FAQ
Can I use a sports mouthguard as a night guard?
It is not recommended. Sports guards are soft and thick for impact, and wearing one nightly for grinding can be uncomfortable and less protective; a night guard is thinner and fitted to your bite.
Are over-the-counter night guards OK?
Some adults use one as a short-term step, but it cannot be adjusted to your bite and comes with no exam. If you have jaw pain, broken dental work or a bite that feels different, see a dentist first.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
No. A night guard protects your teeth and dental work from the forces of grinding, but the habit itself may continue. Managing stress, caffeine, alcohol and sleep problems may reduce grinding for some people.
Should my child wear a mouthguard for hockey or soccer?
Yes, a well-fitting mouthguard is recommended for contact sports. Because children's mouths change quickly, have the fit checked regularly and replace the guard when it no longer fits.
How long does a night guard last?
It depends on the material and how hard you grind. Bring it to each checkup; replace it if it cracks, wears thin or stops fitting well.
Next step
If you wake with a sore jaw or need protection for sport, ask about custom mouthguards and night guards through preventive dentistry at Landmark Dental Care. Call 902-893-2919 or contact us to book an evaluation at 125 Queen St, Truro.
References
- MouthHealthy (ADA): Mouthguards
- Ontario Dental Association: Mouthguards
- Canadian Dental Hygienists Association: Sports Mouthguards
- Cleveland Clinic: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)
This article provides general educational information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a dentist or other qualified health professional.
About this guide
This article was written and reviewed by the Landmark Dental Care Team at Landmark Dental Care, 125 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B4. It is general patient education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have pain, swelling or a change in your mouth, call us at 902-893-2919 so a dentist can assess you.