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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Custom Night Guards in Glen Meyer
A custom night guard is shaped to your bite to cushion grinding while you sleep. Glen Meyer patients can learn how it is fitted, cleaned and checked over time.
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A guard that fits well is one you will keep wearing.
A custom night guard is a removable appliance made from a model of your teeth and worn during sleep. It places a protective surface between upper and lower teeth to help limit wear from grinding and clenching. Because it is made to your mouth, it is designed to stay in place without bulk or constant biting to hold it.
For Glen Meyer patients who have been told they grind, or who wake with sore jaws, our Port Dover office can assess whether a custom guard is appropriate. The team can explain the fitting steps and how the appliance will be reviewed at future checkups.
Is a guard needed
The dentist first confirms what the guard is meant to protect.
Signs that suggest night-time grinding
Worn or flattened tooth edges, chipped enamel, cracked fillings and tender chewing muscles can all point to grinding. A partner may have heard it during the night. The dentist examines these signs to judge how much wear has already happened and whether a guard is likely to be helpful, or whether something else might better explain your symptoms.
Questions about jaw and sleep
Mention jaw clicking, locking, headaches or difficulty opening wide, along with any snoring or unrefreshing sleep. A night guard is designed to protect teeth, but certain sleep or jaw conditions call for a different appliance or input from your physician. Sharing these details helps ensure the device suggested actually fits the problem you are experiencing.
Taking impressions
The fit begins with an accurate model of your teeth.
Recording your teeth and bite
Impressions or a digital scan capture the shape of your teeth, and a bite record shows how the upper and lower teeth meet. This visit is usually quick. Let the team know if you have a strong gag reflex, since there are often ways to make impressions more comfortable, such as working in sections or adjusting your position in the chair.
Choosing the design
Guards vary in thickness, hardness and whether they cover the upper or lower teeth. The dentist will explain the design being recommended for your situation and why. Factors such as how heavily you grind, existing dental work and jaw comfort all influence the choice, so ask questions if you have tried a different type before.
Receiving your guard
A few adjustments are normal in the first weeks.
Checking fit and bite at delivery
When the guard is ready, the dentist checks that it seats fully, feels snug without painful pressure and lets your teeth meet evenly against it. Small adjustments may be made in the chair. You will be shown how to put it in and take it out without bending it, which helps the appliance keep its shape for longer.
Getting used to sleeping with it
Some people notice extra saliva or a sense of fullness for the first few nights. This usually settles as you get used to wearing it. If the guard causes sore teeth, pressure on the gums or a changed bite in the morning that does not fade, contact the office, since an adjustment may be needed.
Looking after it
Simple habits keep the guard clean and accurate.
Daily cleaning and safe storage
Rinse the guard each morning and clean it gently as instructed, avoiding hot water that may distort it. Let it dry and store it in a ventilated case. Keep it away from pets, which are often attracted to chewing appliances. Brush your teeth before putting the guard in at night so food is not trapped against them.
Checking wear at each checkup
Bring the guard to every dental checkup. The dentist can look for cracks, thinning or wear patterns that show how much grinding continues, and check that it still fits your teeth after any new fillings or crowns. Guards do wear out eventually, and replacement is recommended when they no longer protect or fit the way they should.
Planning your appointment
Getting a night guard from Glen Meyer
Call our Port Dover office to ask about a night guard assessment. Mention symptoms such as jaw soreness, worn teeth or morning headaches, and whether you have tried a guard of any kind before.
If you have an older guard or a store-bought one, bring it along so the dentist can see what has or has not worked well for you.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Night guard questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How is a custom guard different from a store-bought one?
A custom guard is made from a model of your teeth, aiming for a closer fit and even contact. Store-bought guards are shaped more generally and may feel bulkier or loosen during sleep. The dentist can compare both for your situation.
Will a night guard change my bite?
A properly fitted guard is designed to protect teeth without moving them. If your bite feels different in the morning and does not return to normal within a short time, let the office know so the fit can be checked and adjusted.
How long does a night guard last?
Lifespan depends on how heavily you grind, the material and how well the guard is looked after. Regular checkups help identify when it is worn, cracked or no longer fitting well, so it can be replaced before it stops protecting your teeth.
Can I wear my guard if I have new dental work?
New crowns, fillings or tooth movement can affect the fit. Bring the guard to the appointment so the dentist can check whether it still seats properly or needs adjustment or replacement to match your teeth as they are now.
Does a night guard help with jaw pain?
Some people with jaw discomfort linked to clenching find a guard helpful, but it is not right for every jaw condition. Describe your symptoms fully so the dentist can decide whether a night guard or a different approach is more appropriate.
Related grinding and jaw care
Additional Services →Night Guards for Teeth Grinding →
Worn edges and sore jaws on waking often point to night grinding. Glen Meyer patients can learn whether a guard helps, what it protects and what it cannot fix.
Bruxism Treatment →
Clenching or grinding can wear teeth and tire the jaw. Glen Meyer patients can have signs of bruxism assessed in Port Dover and discuss protection and habits.