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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Custom Night Guards in Townsend
A custom night guard is shaped to your bite to protect teeth from grinding. Townsend patients can learn how fitting works and how to care for the guard.
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Caring for Townsend patients at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for TownsendMade for your bite
A guard you can sleep in comfortably is one you will keep wearing.
A custom night guard is an appliance made from impressions or scans of your teeth, designed to sit securely while you sleep. It places a protective layer between the upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the wear, chips and cracks that grinding and clenching can cause. A good fit makes it easier to wear night after night.
Townsend residents can be assessed and fitted for a custom guard at our Port Dover office. The dentist will check the signs of grinding, discuss jaw comfort and explain the type of guard that suits your bite, then follow up to make sure it feels right once you start wearing it.
Do you need one?
The need usually shows in your teeth or jaw.
Symptoms that suggest night grinding
Waking with a tight or tired jaw, headaches near the temples, sore teeth or sensitivity can all point to night grinding. Some people learn about the habit from a partner who hears it. Others notice their teeth looking shorter or flatter over time, or find that fillings and crowns keep breaking for no obvious reason.
Findings during the exam
The dentist will look for flattened surfaces, wear facets, small cracks and stress near the gumline. Muscle tenderness around the jaw may also be checked. If signs of grinding are present, a night guard is often one of the first suggestions, though the dentist may also ask about sleep quality and breathing during the night.
Getting fitted
Fitting typically takes two short visits.
Impressions or scans of your teeth
At the first appointment, the dentist takes impressions or digital scans and records how your teeth come together. Any decay or broken fillings may need attention first, since the guard is shaped around your current teeth. The type of material and thickness will be discussed based on how heavily you grind and your comfort.
Fitting and adjusting the finished guard
When the guard is ready, the dentist will check that it seats fully, does not rock and lets your teeth meet evenly. Small adjustments may be made to relieve tight spots. You will receive instructions on wearing it, cleaning it and what to do if it feels uncomfortable during the first few nights.
Adjusting to wear
Most people adapt within a few nights.
What the first nights feel like
It is normal to notice the guard at first, and some people wake with it out of their mouth. Extra saliva or a slight feeling that your bite is different in the morning usually fades as you get used to it. Wearing it consistently helps your mouth adapt faster than wearing it only occasionally.
When to return for adjustment
If the guard causes sore gums, pressure on a particular tooth, jaw pain or a bite that feels off for more than a short time after removing it, contact the office. Adjustments are a routine part of getting a custom guard right. Do not try to trim or reshape it yourself.
Care and replacement
Simple care helps the guard last.
Daily cleaning and storage
Rinse the guard each morning and brush it gently with cool water and mild soap, avoiding regular toothpaste, which can scratch the surface and leave places for bacteria to collect. Let it air-dry before storing it in its ventilated case. Keep it away from heat, hot water and pets, which are known to chew guards left on nightstands.
Checking fit over the years
Bring the guard to your regular checkups so the dentist can inspect it for wear, cracks or a loosening fit. Dental work such as a new crown can change how the guard sits. Heavy grinders may wear through a guard over time, which is a sign it is doing its job and may need replacing.
Planning your appointment
Arranging a fitting from Townsend.
Call our Port Dover office and mention that you think you grind or clench at night. The team can book an exam to confirm the signs and start the night guard process if it is appropriate.
Bring any guard you have used before, and mention upcoming dental work so the timing of the fitting can be planned sensibly.
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
Questions about custom night guards
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 impressions or scans of your teeth, so it usually fits more closely and feels less bulky. Store-bought guards are generic and can shift or feel uncomfortable. The dentist can explain which suits you.
Will a night guard stop jaw pain?
It may ease jaw discomfort for some people by reducing grinding forces, but it is not a cure for every jaw problem. If pain persists, the dentist may suggest further assessment or other approaches.
How long does a custom night guard last?
It depends on how heavily you grind and how you care for it. Some last for years, while heavy grinders may need replacements sooner. Regular checkups allow the dentist to monitor wear and fit.
Can I wear a night guard if I have crowns or bridges?
Yes, the guard is made to fit your current teeth and dental work. If you have new work done later, the guard may need adjustment or replacement, so mention it at your next appointment.
What if I wake up with the guard out?
This often happens in the first weeks, when you may remove it half-asleep without noticing, and it usually improves with regular wear. If it keeps happening or the guard feels loose, the dentist can check the fit and make adjustments.
More on grinding and jaw care
Additional Services →Night Guards for Teeth Grinding →
Grinding at night can wear and crack teeth over time. Townsend residents can learn how a night guard helps, how it is fitted and what else may reduce damage.
Bruxism Treatment →
Grinding or clenching can wear teeth and tire the jaw. Townsend patients can have signs of bruxism assessed in Port Dover and discuss practical protection.