If you have ever struggled with night time grinding, I’m sure you’ve considered getting a night guard. There are a lot of factors that contribute to what night guard is right for you. People have different preferences and needs. Your research may have swayed you toward a custom dentist-made night guard, but you should consider these 5 reasons why an over the counter mouth guard might be a better option.

Please note: Those who suffer from sleep apnea or other contributing sleep issues may require a specific kind of custom made night guard that can only be made and adjusted by the dentist.

1. Reasonable Price

   Custom made mouthguards can be priced at upwards of $800. This is entirely too much for something that you regularly chew on. Don’t get me wrong, dentist made night guards are good products because they are custom fitted. There are plenty of over-the-counter custom fit night guards that provide just as much protection for a fraction of the price.
   

2. No Dentist Needed

   Over-the-counter night guards are simple and easy to get a hold of. Some people let their bruxism go untreated simply because going to the dentist is intimidating or they don’t have dental insurance. The stress of going to the dentist and the molding process is unnecessary when you can fit a night guard yourself.
   

3. Disposable

   Nothing lasts forever. Night guards are vulnerable to wear and tear over time. They can also harbor bacteria. Night guards should be replaced at least once a year depending on how hard you grind your teeth. The dentist mouthguards are too expensive to repurchase every year and some insurances only cover one nightguard per lifetime. Over-the-counter guards offer an alternative that can be recreated by a simple reorder of a night guard you are used to.
   

4. No Impressions

   Night grinding can cause serious discomfort and pain if left untreated. You want a solution as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, molding a dentist-made guard can take weeks. You need to go in and mold your mouth then wait for it to be made then come back in to try it on. You can avoid this process by going out and buy an over-the-counter guard the same day or use overnight shipping. 

5. Remoldable

   Some over-the-counter night guards are remoldable! This means you can remold it a few times to get that perfect fit. This is a huge advantage if the night guard is for a child. Children's mouths are still growing so getting a custom night guard that won’t fit when their mouth changes is not an option. A remoldable night guard completely solves this problem. Just put it back in the hot water to remold it when the guard gets too tight. It's also ideal for grinders with braces. You can remold the night guard as your teeth are shifting in braces treatment.

These are just a few of the many reasons to seriously consider an over-the-counter night guard over a dentist made guard. There are good night guards and bad nightguards so do a little research before you buy.