Dental Night Guard

ICHAPMAN

Hello All,

Recently went for a routine dental checkup. My new dentist (second time seen) is recommending that I get a Night Guard to prevent wear on my teeth though grinding in my sleep.

She originally mentioned in when I saw her earlier in the year - it's not something that my original dentist (retired) ever mentioned.

I'm told that it will cost £45 private (£100+ NHS apparently), and that I'd need an appointment where a mould of my teeth would be taken for the night guard to be made from.

I notice however that on Amazon you can purchase generic "Night Guards" for around £15. These seem to be like the Gum Shields for sports where you heat it and then "mould" it.

I'm fairly sure that the Dentist one is going to fit better, as it's moulded to fit. That said I seen some comments from the pages from the USA where people complained that they couldn't sleep with it, or that it was uncomfortable.

Just wondering if anyone else have any experience of night guards please?.

Thank you

Iain

Toothsmith

Ones from the internet are a waste of money.

They do feel a bit peculiar for the first couple of nights, but people soon get used to them.

I don't think the fact that an older dentist, near the end of his career, didn't pick up on this as a problem is significant, but the important thing is that your new dentist did.

I presume that she has explained her reasons for thinking this, and the fact she's given you a few months to mull over the idea also makes me think that this is genuine and not something she's made up.

£45 is a decent price for one as well. I charge £75.

Racheldevon

I use one at night for the same issue, it's a little odd at first, but you soon get used to it. Mine as moulded to fit, and it has had a positive impact on the issues with my jaw, and presumably the impact on my teeth from looking at the wear & tear on it!

skintbuthappy81

I have the same problem, I bought one do it yourself one from Amazon (rubbish) and a pack of 2 from Boots (£25 if I recall correctly) these were good but I found them too difficult to mould and if you fail to fit it right after 2 goes then the mould needs binning, so unless your confident with them I would give them a miss.

Although the dentist is expensive (I paid £100 for mine) it is durable, longer lasting and will probably save you money in the long term, plus its better fitting. I would def go for this option.

jenhug

I have a dentist one and I don't even know I have it in. My daughter has sports one and its very big in comparison. She ends up dribbling etc with it in and can't hold a conversation with hers in, but mine is so discreet I just sound like I have a bit of a lisp.

Comyface

I also have a dentist one. The first night I wore it I woke up in the morning and found it on the covers of my bed, but after that no probs and helped my painful jaw (which is why I got it, dentist suggested that I was grinding and causing the pain).

Toothsmith

jenhug wrote: »

I have a dentist one and I don't even know I have it in. My daughter has sports one and its very big in comparison. She ends up dribbling etc with it in and can't hold a conversation with hers in, but mine is so discreet I just sound like I have a bit of a lisp.

Sports mouth guards and night bite guards are two completely different things designed for completely different jobs. (Which is why they look and feel toally different)

Or do you mean that your daughters is a sports-shop sport guard? If that's the case, I'd seriously recommend getting her a proper dentist-made mouthguard as well. They offer far more protection.

The only time you want the mouthguard to be as good as it can be is that one split second that something hard and fast moving comes into contact with the mouth area.

Up until that point, it doesn't matter whether it's a cheap one, an expensive one, or even if there is no mouthguard there at all!

But at that one split second of contact, the money you spend on a decent one would repay you thousands of times over in less trauma, less time in the dentists chair, and less money on expensive reconstruction work over the decades that follow.

soolin

I wear a dentist made one, it cost me £150 about 6 months ago. I grind my teeth so hard I was actually splintering them and having all sorts of issues.

It felt odd for the first couple of nights, but now I barely notice I'm wearing it at all. I only have the guard on my top teeth as apparently one bit is enough to stop damage

It does seem to be wearing out quite quickly and I might see if it is possible to shop around for one in future . I was originally quoted £450 by my dentist for a private one, but told me the NHS one was much cheaper at £150 and exactly the same.

guineapig

I have been wearing one for 34 years! I consider myself a bit of an expert now.
I have spent A LOT of money over the years on them and have tried the DIY ones of all shapes/styles/prices and they are all a waste of money.

If your teeth are important to you then the Dentist one is the only option.
That said, I have had different styles/thicknesses too from my dentist and have recently asked if I could have something "thicker" as I chomp through them in a matter of about 10 or 12 weeks!! ( I think I must have been a Rotweiller in a past life!!)
I have worn one for so long now, that one the rare occaison I climb into bed without it I feel "something is missing" and I have NEVER, EVER, not put it in at night, if I didn't I would have a mouth full of stumps!!
You get used to them very quickly and they are comfy if they are made for you.
Don't even try to buy an over the counter one/sports one, trust me, after 34 years I have tried everything and it isn't worth the "savings", somethings are just not worth trying to do on the cheap!

beckstar1975

I love my mouthguard - if I don't wear it for a couple of nights the head/neck aches start up again.

I got an NHS one through my dentist and I'm so glad I did - I am very gaggy but this not only fits perfectly but is tapered so it doesn't go all the way to the back - if it did there is no way I could sleep in it.

I'm a clencher rather than a grinder if that makes a difference?

I got mine done on my youngest's 1st birthday so the last day of my maternity exemption certificate though, so don't know how much it would have been otherwise?

ICHAPMAN

Thank you all you for your replies. They have been very helpful to read.

I do intend to go ahead with the Dentist issued guard.

Also, I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to reply.

Thanks again

Iain