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Mouth guard for grinding teeth

Sore jaw or headache when you wake? Tick the signs to see if grinding could be why.

Do you grind your teeth at night? Tick the signs

0of 9 ticked

Tick any that sound like you.

Our custom night guard, made in our UK lab. Same day at our clinic from £149, or by post from £69.95.

  • Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
  • Made in our UK lab
  • GDC registered technicians
A man smiling, holding his night guard and caseOur night guard

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical name for grinding and clenching, awake or asleep. Grinding slides teeth against each other; clenching presses them hard together. Both load your teeth, jaw joints and face muscles.

At night the first sign is often a stiff jaw, a dull headache or a partner who hears it. Over months it can wear enamel and chip edges. The NHS says light grinding with no pain or damage may only need watching.

Clear night guard on a black Venneir caseOur night guard

Why do people grind their teeth at night?

The cause is often unclear. The NHS lists stress and anxiety as most common, with links to snoring, sleep apnoea, some sleep, depression or anxiety medicines, smoking, and lots of alcohol or caffeine.

The NHS suggests relaxing before bed, a regular bedtime, a dark quiet room, less caffeine and alcohol, and not smoking. If your jaw hurts, skip gum and hard foods for a while.

For jaw pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen may help (follow the label), or an ice pack in a tea towel for 20 to 30 minutes.

When to see a dentist or GP first

We're a dental lab, not a dentist. Our guards protect teeth, but we can't diagnose bruxism, treat jaw problems or repair teeth.

  • Tooth damage or sensitive teeth: see a dentist
  • Jaw, face or ear pain, or a jaw that locks or clicks: dentist
  • A cracked, broken or painful tooth: see a dentist straight away
  • Stress, anxiety, sleep, smoking or drinking: see your GP
  • Someone says you stop breathing or gasp asleep: see your GP

Night guard types compared

Four main kinds of mouth guard for grinding teeth.

Boil and bite
Dentist soft guard
Our night guard
Hard acrylic splint
Close fit
Soft and cushioned
Easy to get used to
Partly
For heavy grinding
Where
Shop or online
Your dentist
Post or our clinic
Your dentist

Boil and bite is a short stop gap. Our price is in the card below.

A hand holding a clear night guardOur night guard

Soft or hard night guard: which do you need?

A soft guard is cushioned EVA, a soft rubbery plastic. Your teeth grind against it instead of each other, and it's easy to get used to. For light to moderate grinding or clenching, it's a sensible start.

A hard acrylic splint is rigid and a dentist adjusts it to your bite. It's for heavy grinders, badly worn teeth or jaw joint problems, and only a dentist can decide you need one.

We only make soft guards. If you bite through one quickly, or your jaw feels worse after a couple of weeks, stop and ask a dentist about a hard splint.

Our custom night guard

3mm soft EVA, made by GDC registered technicians. 14 day fit guarantee by post. 18 or over.

Night guard and its caseOur night guard
Same day at our clinic
From£149
  • Ready in around 2 hours
  • Impressions taken with our team
  • Klarna Pay in 3 at our clinic
Book a time
By post
£69.95up to £99.95
  • 3mm soft guard, made in 1 day
  • Impression kit sent to your door
  • Made in our UK lab
Order by post

£25 to book a same day visit, taken off your total and refunded if you cancel 24 hours or more before. Klarna Pay in 3 at our clinic: 18 or over, subject to approval. Late fees may apply. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may affect your ability to get credit.

How to clean and look after your night guard

  • 1Brush and floss before putting it in
  • 2Rinse it in cool water every morning
  • 3Brush with mild soap, not toothpaste
  • 4Never use hot water; heat bends it
  • 5Dry it, then case it, away from pets
  • 6Check weekly for thin spots, holes or splits
  • 7Bring it to dental check ups

How long does a night guard last?

Usually 6 to 12 months, depending on the person. Hard nightly grinders wear through faster. That wear is the guard taking the force instead of your teeth.

Replace it if you see holes or deep grooves, it splits, it no longer grips, or it smells after cleaning. After new dental work, such as a crown, check it still fits.

A hand holding a slim day guardOur day guard

Clench in the daytime too? Try a day guard

Clench while you work, drive or concentrate? A night time guard is too thick to talk in. Our day guard is a slimmer 2mm EVA guard: £69.95 to £99.95 by post, or from £149 same day in around 2 hours.

It protects teeth the same way but won't change the habit. Noticing when you clench helps you ease off.

Questions people ask

Something else? Send us a message.

Does a night guard stop teeth grinding?

No. A night guard protects your teeth by putting a cushion between them, so they wear the guard instead of each other. You may still grind or clench. To reduce the grinding itself, work on the causes, such as stress, alcohol, caffeine and sleep habits, and see your GP if you need help.

Is a night guard good for snoring or sleep apnoea?

No. Our night guard is made for grinding and clenching only. Snoring and sleep apnoea need a proper check, so see your GP if you snore loudly, stop breathing in your sleep or feel very tired during the day.

Should the guard go on my top or bottom teeth?

One guard is enough to keep your top and bottom teeth apart. Many people choose the top teeth. If your dentist has told you which they'd prefer, follow their advice.

Can I get a night guard on the NHS?

The NHS says a dentist may suggest a mouth guard or splint for grinding. Ask your dental practice whether they can provide one on the NHS and what it would cost. If you can't get a dental appointment soon, a custom guard from us is another option.

Do I need to see a dentist before ordering?

No referral is needed. But if you have pain, broken or very sensitive teeth, or jaw problems, see a dentist first so they can check for damage we can't see or fix.

Can I use a night guard for sport?

No. A night guard is not built to protect against knocks and blows. Use a proper sports mouthguard for contact sport.

Sleep easy. Wake up without the ache.

Night guard, made in our UK lab. Same day at our clinic near Glasgow, or by post to your door.

About this guide

Written by the team at our UK dental lab, where GDC registered technicians make every appliance. We are a dental lab, not a dentist: we make cosmetic and protective appliances and cannot diagnose or treat dental problems. If you are unsure, see a dentist first.

Written by the Venneir lab team. Updated 12 Nov 2026.

Sources