Custom Night Guards in Cambridge
Plenty of people grind or clench their teeth in their sleep and never know it. Over the years that wears teeth down and brings on jaw pain and headaches.
At Riverfront Dental, we make custom night guards in Cambridge, ON that protect your teeth so you can rest more comfortably.
If you wake up with a sore jaw or notice your teeth looking worn, call (519) 621-2111 and ask us about a custom night guard.
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism is the grinding or clenching of teeth, usually during sleep. Stress, bite problems, and a few other things can set it off.
Since it happens at night, most people have no idea they grind until they notice symptoms or a dentist spots the wear.
Signs You May Need a Night Guard
A night guard might help if any of these sound familiar:A custom night guard cushions your teeth and takes some of the strain off the grinding.
Custom Night Guard vs. Store-Bought
Store-bought guards come in one generic shape, so they often feel bulky or slip out of place. A custom night guard is made to fit your own teeth.When a guard fits well, it is comfortable to wear, and you are far more likely to actually use it every night.
How We Make Your Night Guard
Getting a custom night guard is straightforward.We check your teeth and bite for signs of grinding and talk through your symptoms.
We take a digital scan or impression of your teeth so the guard fits closely.
Your guard is built to match your bite, so it stays comfortable and protects your teeth.
We show you how to clean and store your guard, then check the fit.
What Causes Teeth Grinding and Clenching?
Bruxism rarely comes down to one cause. For most people it grows out of several things that pile up over time, which is part of why it is so easy to miss on your own. Stress and anxiety are two of the most common triggers, and a lot of patients tell us they grind more during busy or worrying stretches of life. Sleep matters too. Clenching often shows up during the lighter stages of sleep and can be tied to disrupted breathing.
Your bite, the way your upper and lower teeth meet, can play into grinding as well. When the teeth do not line up comfortably, the jaw muscles work harder to find a resting spot. A few everyday habits and substances are linked to more grinding too. Here are the common factors we talk through with patients:
Knowing what is likely driving your grinding helps us point you toward the right approach. A night guard protects your teeth no matter what is behind the grinding, and sometimes we will suggest a few lifestyle changes or a referral if we think a sleep issue is involved. Every case is a bit different, so we listen first and recommend after.
What Happens If Grinding Is Left Untreated?
Since grinding happens while you sleep, it can carry on for years before anyone catches it. All that repeated pressure wears on the teeth and on the muscles and joints that move the jaw. Catching it early and protecting your teeth now can save you from more involved treatment later.
When grinding goes unaddressed, here is what we tend to see:
Enamel does not grow back, so once it wears away from grinding, that wear is permanent. Teeth that have grown thin or cracked may need fillings, crowns, or sometimes root canal therapy. Grinding can loosen or chip dental work you already have, so a small step now protects a much bigger investment later. Taking the strain off your jaw muscles also tends to ease the tension headaches and soreness that a lot of people had just learned to live with.
How a Night Guard Protects Your Teeth and Jaw
A night guard works in two ways. First, it puts a durable cushion between your upper and lower teeth, so grinding wears the guard instead of your enamel. The guard soaks up most of the force that would otherwise land on individual teeth and the dental work they hold. Second, it gives your teeth a smooth surface to slide against, which spreads the pressure of clenching more evenly across your bite rather than dumping it on a few contact points.
That spread of force is also what helps the jaw muscles relax. When the bite is balanced and the teeth are not locked tightly together, the muscles do not have to work as hard, and that can cut down on morning tension, soreness, and the headaches that come with steady clenching. Plenty of patients tell us they sleep better and wake up less tight once they have gotten used to their guard. A night guard does not break the grinding habit, but it handles the fallout and protects your smile night after night.
Types of Custom Night Guards
Night guards are not one-size-fits-all. The right material and thickness depend on how hard you grind, the shape your teeth are in, and what feels comfortable to you. Once your dentist has looked at your bite, they will recommend the option that suits you.Soft guards are made from a flexible, cushioned material. They are comfortable and work well for mild or occasional grinding, and they tend to be the easiest to get used to for first-time wearers.
Hard guards are made from a firm, durable acrylic that holds up to heavier grinding and lasts longer. They are a common pick for moderate to severe bruxism.
These pair a soft inner layer for comfort with a hard outer shell for durability, so you get cushioning and strength in one guard.
No single guard is best for everyone. We will go over your symptoms, look at how your teeth are wearing, and help you pick a guard that feels comfortable and gives you the protection you need. If your bite or your grinding changes down the line, we can rethink the recommendation at a later visit.
Living With Your Night Guard
It usually takes a few nights to get used to a new night guard, and that is normal. For most people the early awareness of it fades fast, and the guard soon feels like a regular part of getting ready for bed. For grinding and clenching, you wear it while you sleep, every night, so your teeth are covered during the hours grinding tends to happen. Wearing it consistently is how you get the full benefit.
Caring for your guard is easy, and a little daily attention keeps it fresh and helps it last:
Looked after well, a custom night guard can last several years. Like anything that absorbs the force of nightly grinding, it slowly shows wear and eventually needs replacing. We check your guard at your regular visits and will tell you when it is time for a new one, so your teeth stay protected.
Children, Existing Dental Work, and Cost
Grinding is common in kids, especially as their baby teeth and then their adult teeth come in. Most of the time childhood grinding is harmless and gets outgrown on its own, so we usually watch and wait and keep an eye on it at routine visits. If the grinding seems heavy, sticks around, or is causing discomfort or noticeable wear, we are happy to take a closer look and talk about whether anything more is needed.
If you have put money into crowns, veneers, bridges, or other dental work, a night guard is one of the easiest ways to protect it. Grinding puts a lot of stress on restorations, and a guard helps shield them from chips, cracks, and early wear, so your smile and your investment last longer.
What a custom night guard costs depends on the type of guard and what you need, and we go over the details with you up front so there are no surprises. Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost, and our team is glad to help you check your benefits and see what your plan includes. If you have questions about coverage or payment, just ask and we will walk you through it.
Why Choose Riverfront Dental in Cambridge
Since 2018, Riverfront Dental has looked after families across Cambridge and the wider Waterloo Region. Our general dentists work at an unhurried pace, taking time to understand your symptoms and explain your options in plain language. We use digital scanning where we can to make impressions more comfortable, and we follow up to confirm your guard fits well and feels right.
A custom night guard is one piece of looking after a healthy smile. If you grind your teeth and also play sports, a custom sport guard protects your teeth during activity, and a snore guard can help if snoring is a concern. You can see everything we do on our dental clinic services page. To find out whether a night guard is right for you, call (519) 621-2111 and our team will be glad to help.
Meet Your Cambridge Dental Team
Custom night guards at Riverfront Dental are made by experienced general dentists who care about your comfort and your long-term oral health.
Dr. Beaucage completed her Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Waterloo. She earned both her PhD and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. She values careful planning and patient education.
Dr. Lalji earned his Bachelor of Health Sciences at McMaster University before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Western University. He focuses on helping patients feel informed and comfortable throughout treatment.
Dr. Gerlich earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at University College Cork in Ireland, where she was named a College Scholar. She brings international clinical experience and a gentle, patient-focused approach to Riverfront Dental.
All three dentists are general practitioners. They are not oral surgeons. Since 2018, the Riverfront Dental team has proudly served the Cambridge community.
Conveniently Located in Cambridge
Cambridge, ON N1R 7S9
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Custom Night Guard in Cambridge
Protect your smile from grinding and wake up feeling better.
Call (519) 621-2111 to book at 725 Coronation Blvd, Suite B1 & B2, Cambridge, ON N1R 7S9.