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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Custom Night Guards in Nanticoke
A custom night guard is shaped to your bite to cushion grinding while you sleep. Learn how Nanticoke patients are fitted and followed up in Port Dover.
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Caring for Nanticoke patients at our Port Dover office
Browse every service for Nanticoke patientsProtection while you sleep
A guard made from your own bite fits and wears differently.
A custom night guard is an appliance built from impressions or scans of your teeth, intended to sit between the upper and lower teeth during sleep. It absorbs the forces of grinding and clenching so enamel, fillings and crowns take less wear. The design, thickness and material are chosen to suit your bite and the pattern of wear the dentist finds.
Nanticoke patients who wake with sore jaws or have been told they grind can be assessed for a custom guard at our Port Dover office. The visit covers whether a guard is appropriate, how it is made and what follow-up looks like.
Do you need one
The decision begins with signs of wear or strain.
Evidence of grinding
Flattened or chipped teeth, cracked fillings, tender jaw muscles, morning headaches and sensitivity can all suggest nighttime grinding or clenching. A bed partner may notice the sound. The dentist examines these signs and asks about your symptoms to decide whether a night guard would offer meaningful protection for your teeth.
Other factors to consider
If loud snoring, gasping or daytime exhaustion are present, a sleep-breathing disorder may be involved and should be discussed with your physician. Some guard designs may not be suitable in that situation. Mention any jaw clicking, locking or limited opening too, since joint issues can influence what type of appliance is recommended.
Design choices
Guards vary in material and how they sit.
Hard, soft and layered materials
Night guards may be made from hard acrylic, softer materials or a combination with a soft inner layer and harder outer surface. Hard guards are often recommended for heavier grinding, while softer ones may suit lighter clenching. The dentist will explain which material fits your situation and how durable each type tends to be.
Upper or lower arch
Guards can be designed for the upper or lower teeth. The choice depends on your bite, comfort, existing restorations and any orthodontic history. Ask why a particular arch is suggested. A well-designed guard should allow your jaw to rest comfortably without pushing teeth into an uncomfortable or unfamiliar position.
Getting fitted
Fitting usually involves two short appointments.
Records of your teeth
At the first visit the dentist examines your teeth and records your bite with impressions or a digital scan. The guard is then made to those records. Let the team know if you have a strong gag reflex, since the approach can be adapted to make the process more comfortable for you.
Fitting and adjustments
At the fitting appointment the guard is placed and checked for fit, retention and how your teeth contact it. Small adjustments may be made on the spot. It can take a few nights to get used to sleeping with it. Call the practice if it feels tight, causes soreness or changes how your teeth meet in the morning.
Care and review
Look after the guard so it keeps protecting you.
Daily cleaning
Brush the guard gently each morning with a soft brush and cool water, and let it dry before storing it in its case. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material. Keep it out of reach of pets, who are often attracted to it. Do not soak it in household cleaners unless the team recommends a specific product.
Bringing it to checkups
Bring the guard to your regular checkups so the dentist can inspect wear, cracks and fit. Guards eventually wear out, especially with heavy grinding, and may need replacing. Dental work such as new crowns can also change the fit, so let the team know whenever restorations have been placed or adjusted.
Planning your appointment
Being fitted from Nanticoke
Contact our Port Dover office to ask about a custom night guard. Mention your symptoms and any existing guard so the team can plan an assessment and fitting appointment.
Bring any current or older guard to the visit, and note any snoring or sleep concerns you or a partner have noticed.
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.
Will a custom night guard stop my grinding?
Guards mainly protect teeth from wear and may ease muscle strain, but they do not always stop the habit. The dentist can discuss other strategies if grinding is linked to stress, sleep or other factors.
How long does a night guard last?
It depends on how heavily you grind and how well the guard is cared for. Some last several years, while others wear faster. Checkups allow the dentist to assess when replacement is needed.
Is it normal to drool or feel odd at first?
Yes, many people notice extra saliva or an unfamiliar sensation for the first few nights. This usually settles as you get used to it. Persistent discomfort should be reported so the fit can be checked.
Can I use the same guard if I get new crowns?
New dental work can change the fit. Bring the guard to the appointment where the new restorations are placed so the dentist can check it and adjust or remake it if needed.
Is a night guard the same as a sports guard?
No. Sports guards are designed to cushion impact during activity, while night guards are designed for grinding during sleep. Their materials, thickness and fit differ, so one is not a substitute for the other.
Related grinding and jaw care
Additional Services →Night Guards for Teeth Grinding →
Waking with a sore jaw or worn teeth? Nanticoke patients can learn whether a night guard makes sense and what wearing one involves at our Port Dover office.
Bruxism Treatment →
Clenching or grinding can wear teeth and tire the jaw. Nanticoke residents can have signs of bruxism assessed in Port Dover and discuss protective options.