Everyday care
Night guards and sports guards in North York
Custom guards made from a mould of your teeth, to protect them at night or during sport.
Custom guards
A custom guard is a removable appliance shaped to fit your teeth. A night guard helps protect them from grinding and clenching while you sleep. A sports guard helps cushion impacts to your teeth and mouth during play. We provide both, fitted at our studio.
Night guards
Do you grind your teeth at night?
Many people grind or clench in their sleep without knowing it. Signs include:
- A tight or tired jaw when you wake up
- Teeth that feel sensitive or loose
- Chipped, cracked or flattened teeth1,2
Stress or anxiety, interrupted sleep, and crooked or missing teeth can play a part.1
Sports guards
Which sports guard should you choose?
Contact and collision sports carry the highest risk, but any sport with falls or flying objects can injure teeth. The Canadian Dental Association names hockey, baseball, soccer, football, rugby and basketball among them.4,5
Boil-and-bite
Custom-made
Made by the dental team from a mould of your teeth. The Canadian Dental Association recommends custom guards for better comfort and protection, and for anyone wearing braces.4
A sports guard helps protect your teeth and mouth. It should not be relied on to prevent concussion or replace the other protective equipment your sport requires.4
Step by step
What to expect
01
Assessment
For a night guard, the dentist checks your teeth for wear and your jaw. For a sports guard, we ask about your sport.
02
Impressions
We take an impression (a mould) of your teeth, and your guard is made to it.
03
Fitting
We check the fit and your bite, and show you how to clean your guard.
Fees
Cost and insurance
Fees depend on your treatment, and we never charge more than the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee guide. We bill your insurance directly, and you'll know the cost before your guard is made. See insurance, direct billing and CDCP.
Visit our studio
Find us on Sheppard Avenue East.
Address
175 Sheppard Avenue East
North York, ON M2N 3A6
Getting here
About a 10-minute walk from Sheppard–Yonge station.
Parking
Free underground parking is available.
Hours
- Monday–Friday
- 9 am–8 pm
- Saturday
- 9 am–4 pm
Book a consultation.
New to seesmile? Start with our new-patient visit.
Questions
Questions, answered.
It may not. A night guard protects your teeth from the pressure and wear of grinding. The research does not show clearly whether it reduces the grinding itself.3
No. A sports guard is not designed for sleep. A night guard is made for that purpose.2
It depends on how hard you grind and how you care for it. Replace it as soon as it is worn, damaged or loose. Children and teens may need new ones as they grow.5
Any guard is better than none. The Canadian Dental Association recommends custom guards for better comfort and protection, and for anyone wearing braces.4
Usually two short visits: one for the impression, and one to fit the guard once it is made. Ask us about timing if you need a sports guard before a season starts.
Children who play sports should wear a mouthguard. Children grow, so they need a new guard once they outgrow the old one.4,5 Many children outgrow teeth grinding. If you notice wear on your child's teeth or disrupted sleep, mention it at a check-up, and we'll advise whether monitoring or treatment is right.2 See kids' dentistry.
Grinding can be linked to sleep disorders. If your history suggests it, the dentist may suggest you talk to your doctor about a sleep evaluation.2
Sources
- Canadian Dental Association. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism). https://www.cda-adc.ca/for-the-public/understanding-your-oral-health/complications/bruxism
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Teeth grinding. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-grinding
- Macedo CR, Silva AB, Machado MAC, Saconato H, Prado GF. Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4, CD005514 (edited 2010, conclusions unchanged). https://www.cochrane.org/CD005514/ORAL_occlusal-splints-for-treating-sleep-bruxism-tooth-grinding
- Canadian Dental Association. CDA position on prevention of traumatic oral/maxillofacial injuries (updated 2019). https://www.cda-adc.ca/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/position-statement/cda-position-on-prevention-of-traumatic-oral-maxillofacial-injuries
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Mouthguards. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/mouthguards