Night Guard for Teeth Grinding in Calgary
Macleod Trail Dental offers custom night guards in Calgary for patients who grind or clench their teeth during sleep. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can lead to worn enamel, chipped teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and damaged dental work over time. A custom night guard helps reduce that strain and protect your smile.
How Teeth Grinding Can Affect Your Smile
Bruxism places repeated force on the teeth, jaw joints, and supporting muscles. Over time, that can lead to flattened edges, chipped teeth, sensitivity, headaches, jaw tightness, and even damage to crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Many patients do not realize they grind until a partner hears it at night or a dentist identifies wear patterns during an exam. Custom night guard cost in Calgary depends on the type of appliance and your specific bite, so your exact cost is best confirmed with our team.
What Is a Night Guard and How Does It Help with Teeth Grinding?
A night guard, also called an occlusal guard, occlusal splint or bite splint, is a custom-made appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep. It does not stop you from grinding. Instead, it keeps space between your upper and lower teeth and takes the wear in place of your enamel, which lowers the risk of cracked or chipped teeth and eases strain on your jaw muscles. A worn night guard is far easier and less expensive to replace than your teeth.
8 common signs of teeth grinding
Facial pain, earaches, headaches, tender or stiff jaw muscles, disrupted sleep for you or your partner, increased tooth sensitivity, a jaw that locks or catches when you open your mouth, and pain when chewing. Only a dentist can confirm bruxism, so book an exam if these sound familiar.
What causes teeth grinding?
Common causes include stress, anxiety, chronic pain, medication side effects and poor sleep. Grinding can also run in families, and caffeine close to bedtime can make it worse. Snoring and sleep apnea are linked with grinding too, so we may also talk with you about sleep apnea treatment.
What happens if you ignore teeth grinding?
Grinding wears away enamel, and once enamel is gone it cannot grow back. That raises the risk of cavities, sensitivity, chipped teeth and even tooth loss, and it can contribute to jaw joint problems. Learn more about TMJ treatment.
Benefits of a Custom Night Guard
Protect Enamel
Night guards help reduce wear caused by repeated grinding and clenching.
Support Restorative Work
Crowns, bridges, veneers, and other dental work may be better protected from nighttime grinding.
Reduce Jaw Strain
Some patients experience less morning jaw tension and headache pressure with a custom guard.
Better Fit Than Boil-and-Bite Options
Custom guards are made for your teeth specifically, which may improve comfort and consistency.
Manage Bruxism Symptoms
Night guards are often one of the most practical first steps for teeth grinding management.
Part of a Bigger Plan
If teeth grinding is also tied to TMJ or bite concerns, a night guard may be one part of broader care.
A Simple Step That Can Prevent Bigger Repairs
Grinding can quietly cause significant wear over time. Protecting the teeth earlier is often much easier and less expensive than repairing the damage later.
At Macleod Trail Dental, we help patients understand what signs of bruxism are already present and whether a custom night guard is the right next step for protection.
Also Explore
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Dentist-led oral appliance therapy for sleep-disordered breathing.
TMJ Treatment
Support for jaw pain, bite imbalance, clenching, and headaches.
Family Dentistry
Preventive and long-term family dental care in SE Calgary.
Sports Mouthguards
Custom-fitted protection for athletes who want to guard against dental injury during sport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guards
The average cost of a custom night guard at our clinic is $650. Many dental insurance plans cover all or part of it, and we bill most insurers directly.
Store-bought guards are not made for your bite, so they are often uncomfortable, and a poorly fitting guard can make jaw problems such as TMJ worse. A custom guard from your dentist fits precisely and protects more evenly. Book a free consultation to find out whether you need one.
It takes a few nights to get used to, and most people feel comfortable within about a week. A custom night guard should never be painful; if yours is, let us know so we can adjust it.
Brush it gently with liquid hand soap and water using a soft toothbrush. Avoid toothpaste, which can scratch it, and ask our hygienists about a cleaner for occasional soaking.
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Use this form to contact Macleod Trail Dental about booking, treatment questions, or the next best step for your visit.
Request a Free Night Guard Consultation
If you think you may grind or clench your teeth at night, Macleod Trail Dental can help you protect your smile with a custom night guard designed for comfort and support.