Night Guards
A sore jaw, a nagging headache, or teeth that feel more worn down than they used to are often signs your teeth are grinding while you sleep, even if you never notice it happening. A custom night guard creates a barrier between your teeth at night, absorbing that force before it wears down your enamel or strains your jaw. As part of our Specialty Services, Emerald Dental provides custom night guards at both our Lakewood and Littleton offices.
Curious what your smile could look like in six months?
Smile Fact
Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet it cannot repair itself once it is lost.
What Is a Night Guard
A night guard, also called an occlusal guard, is a removable dental appliance worn over the teeth while you sleep to protect them from the effects of grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism. By creating a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, a night guard can help reduce the wear, chipping, and other damage that repeated grinding can cause. Custom night guards are made specifically for your mouth, allowing your dentist to create a secure, comfortable fit based on your teeth and bite rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all appliance.
Types of Night Guards
Custom Soft Night Guardc
Made from a flexible material that cushions your teeth, a soft night guard suits mild to moderate grinding and is comfortable for patients who want an easy appliance to adjust to.
Hard Night Guard
Built from a rigid, durable material, a hard night guard is designed for more severe grinding, distributing pressure evenly across your teeth and standing up to heavy nightly use.
Dual-Laminate Night Guard
Combining a soft inner layer with a hard outer shell, this option gives heavier grinders the comfort of a soft guard with the strength of a hard one.
Sports Mouth Guard
Built to absorb impact during physical activity rather than nightly grinding, a sports guard protects your teeth, gums, and jaw during active pursuits.
How a Night Guard Is Made
Conversation and Exam.
You'll talk through your symptoms, whether that's jaw soreness, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, and your dentist checks your bite and jaw alignment.
Impressions and Fitting.
Detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth are taken to build a guard that matches your exact bite, and the type is chosen based on how you grind.
Delivery and Adjustment.
Once your guard is ready, it's fitted and adjusted for comfort, so it feels natural enough that wearing it actually becomes routine.
Benefits of a Night Guard
The real payoff of a night guard isn’t the appliance itself, it’s what you stop dealing with once you’re consistent about wearing it.
Protects enamel from the wear and cracking caused by grinding
Eases jaw muscle tension and reduces morning soreness
Cuts down on the headaches that grinding often causes
Improves sleep quality by reducing nighttime clenching
Prevents costlier repairs down the road from untreated tooth damage
Why Emerald Dental for Night Guards
Every guard is built from your own impressions, not a generic mold, so it fits securely enough that you’ll actually want to keep wearing it. We check the fit at your follow-up and make adjustments if anything feels off, since a guard that’s uncomfortable is a guard that ends up back in the drawer. Both our Lakewood and Littleton offices offer the same standard of care. Meet our doctors on our About Us page.
What Patients Are Saying
Real feedback from real patients across our Lakewood and Littleton offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a night guard?
Waking up with jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or noticing worn or chipped teeth without a clear cause are all common signs of nighttime grinding. Even without obvious symptoms, your dentist can often spot early signs of grinding during a routine exam.
Are night guards actually comfortable enough to remember to wear?
Most patients get used to a custom guard within the first week or two, since it’s built specifically for your bite rather than a generic shape. A guard that fits well is far easier to stick with than one that feels bulky or shifts around, which is usually why a custom option outperforms a store-bought one.
How long does a night guard last?
With proper care, a night guard typically lasts a few years before it needs replacing, though how often you grind and how well you maintain it both affect that timeline. Regular check-ups let your dentist catch wear before it affects the fit.
Can I clean my night guard at home?
Yes, rinsing it after each use and cleaning it regularly with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner keeps it in good shape. Storing it in a protective case when it’s not in your mouth also helps prevent damage or warping.
What's the difference between a night guard and a sports mouth guard?
A night guard is built for nightly grinding and clenching, while a sports mouth guard is built to absorb impact during physical activity. Some patients who grind their teeth and play contact sports benefit from having both.
Protect Your Smile While You Sleep
Grinding and clenching can quietly wear down your teeth night after night, often before you realize how much damage is being done. A custom night guard gives your teeth a protective barrier while you sleep without changing your daytime routine. Emerald Dental provides custom night guards at our Lakewood and Littleton offices. Schedule a visit and protect the smile you’ve already invested in.
Find Us
Two Convenient Locations
Both offices are open Monday through Thursday and accept new patients of all ages.
Lakewood
Emerald Dental Lakewood
12093-A West Alameda Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80228
Littleton
Emerald Dental Littleton
2731 W Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80123