Night Guards

Protect Your Smile While You Sleep with a Custom Night Guard

Do you wake up with jaw pain, sensitive teeth, or morning headaches? You might be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. At Monterey Peninsula Dental Group, we offer custom-made night guards in Monterey that not only protect your teeth from damage but also help you sleep more comfortably. Our experienced team is here to safeguard your oral health and your overall well-being with personalized solutions backed by years of trusted care.

Teeth Grinding Is More Serious Than You May Think

Nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, also known as bruxism, isn’t just annoying. It can wear down your teeth, strain your jaw joints, and lead to chronic discomfort. Many people don’t realize they’re grinding until the signs show up: worn teeth, a stiff jaw, or complaints from a bed partner about grinding noises. Fortunately, our dentists can help prevent further damage with a comfortable, professionally crafted night guard in Monterey.

What Is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a slim, custom-fitted oral appliance you wear while you sleep. It works by creating a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, easing tension in your jaw and minimizing damage caused by grinding or clenching. At Monterey Peninsula Dental Group, our night guards are made using high-quality, durable materials that are tailored specifically to your bite. The result? A better night’s sleep and a healthier, more comfortable smile.

Signs You Might Need a Night Guard

In many cases, tooth grinding happens because of misaligned teeth that cause bite disharmony. When your bite is uneven, your jaw doesn’t have a stable resting position while you sleep, leading to grinding and clenching behaviors. If you know your teeth aren’t aligned properly, orthodontics may be a great first step in minimizing your bruxism. 

However, misalignment isn’t the only cause of grinding, so even if your teeth look straight, you may benefit from a custom night guard if you experience:

• Jaw pain, tightness, or soreness in the morning
• Headaches that start at the temples
• Chipped, cracked, or flattened teeth
• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
• Tooth sensitivity
• An uneven or imbalanced bite
• Tension in your neck or shoulders
• Trouble sleeping or unrestful sleep

Bruxism often goes hand-in-hand with other sleep issues, including sleep apnea. If you snore or have a history of sleep apnea, be sure to mention it during your visit. We can provide guidance on getting sleep apnea care, and whether a night guard or other appliance can be incorporated with other sleep apnea treatments. 

Benefits of a Custom Night Guard

Our custom night guards do more than protect your teeth. They support your comfort and overall health. An effective night guard can:

• Reduce or eliminate jaw pain
• Improve sleep quality
• Prevent dental damage and future restorative costs
• Minimize muscle strain in the face, neck, and shoulders
• Decrease tooth sensitivity
• Lower your risk for TMJ-related problems

Many of our patients tell us they had no idea how much better they could feel in the morning—until they started using their custom night guard!

Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Night Guards: Which Is Better?

Store-bought night guards may seem convenient, but they’re often bulky, uncomfortable, and ineffective. In fact, their rubbery material can sometimes make clenching worse by giving your jaw something to chew on. This can increase tension and pressure on your jaw joints.

A custom night guard from a qualified dentist is:

• Custom-fitted to your exact bite for optimal comfort
• Designed to relax the jaw rather than stimulate chewing muscles
• Checked and adjusted regularly to ensure a perfect fit over time

This personalized approach offers better long-term protection and greater comfort than any one-size-fits-all product from a pharmacy.

Ready for Relief? Let’s Talk About Your Options

If you suspect teeth grinding is affecting your sleep or damaging your smile, don’t wait. A custom night guard from Monterey Peninsula Dental Group is a simple, non-invasive solution that can make a big difference in your daily comfort and long-term oral health.

Get in touch or book your appointment online for a consultation for teeth grinding treatments in Monterey. We’re here to help you sleep better, smile brighter, and live with less pain.