By Joanna M. | Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
If you wake up with a sore jaw, worn teeth, or a dull headache, you may already know the culprit: bruxism, the clinical term for unconscious teeth grinding during sleep. It affects an estimated 8–10% of Canadians and is one of the most common reasons people seek out a night guard. But with options ranging from $15 pharmacy trays to $600 dentist appliances, choosing the right one is genuinely confusing.
This guide cuts through the noise. Here is what actually protects your teeth from grinding — and what wastes your money.
Bruxism happens when your jaw muscles clench and slide your upper and lower teeth against each other, usually during sleep. You often have no idea it’s happening until your dentist notices flat spots on your enamel, or a partner tells you they can hear it from across the room.
Common causes include:
Left untreated, chronic grinding can fracture teeth, wear away enamel, damage fillings, inflame jaw muscles, and lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. A night guard doesn’t cure bruxism, but it acts as a protective barrier that prevents the damage.
Not all night guards are the same. Here is what you will find at different price points across Canada:
| Type | Where to Get It | Approx. Cost (CAD) | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boil-and-bite | Shoppers, London Drugs, Amazon | $15–$40 | Low — generic fit |
| Custom online | NewSmile, JS Dental Lab, Remi | $100–$250 | High — dental lab quality |
| Dentist-made | Your dental clinic | $400–$650+ | High — dental lab quality |
The key insight: custom online guards and dentist-made guards use the same dental lab fabrication process. The difference is not quality — it is cost and convenience. Online providers skip the clinic overhead and pass the savings directly to you.
Boil-and-bite guards have an obvious appeal: you can pick one up tonight for under $20. But their limitations become clear quickly:
A custom-fitted guard made from dental-grade materials holds your jaw in a stable, neutral position. The occlusal surface (the biting area) is precisely calibrated to your teeth, which distributes pressure evenly and reduces the grinding reflex itself. Clinical studies published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation consistently show that properly fitted occlusal splints reduce both muscle tension and enamel wear compared to no treatment.
If you are ordering a custom night guard for teeth grinding specifically, the material matters:
If you grind heavily, go with hard or dual-laminate. Soft alone may not cut it.
The traditional path — dentist consultation, in-office impressions, lab fabrication — runs $400–$650+ CAD at most Canadian clinics. Most provincial dental plans and the CDCP do not cover night guards as a standard benefit (they are classified as appliances, not diagnostic procedures).
The alternative is a custom online night guard:
The guard is fabricated by the same type of professional dental lab used by clinics. The materials, the precision fit, and the durability are equivalent. The only difference is you skip the $200 dentist chair fee.
See how costs compare in our 2026 Canadian night guard cost breakdown →
A quality custom night guard lasts 2–5 years with proper care. The basics:
Stop grinding in your sleep — without paying $600 at the dentist
NewSmile Canada’s custom night guard is made by a professional dental lab from your at-home impression. Choose soft, hard, or dual-laminate based on your grinding intensity — shipped directly across Canada.
A night guard doesn’t eliminate bruxism, but it prevents the damage grinding causes. It creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth and positions your jaw in a way that reduces grinding intensity. Many users notice less morning jaw soreness within a few weeks of consistent wear.
Yes. Online providers like NewSmile Canada use at-home impression kits and professional dental lab fabrication. You take impressions yourself, mail them to the lab, and receive a custom-fitted guard — no clinic visit required. The quality is equivalent to what your dentist would provide.
Hard acrylic or dual-laminate guards are recommended for moderate-to-severe bruxism. A hard surface is less likely to trigger the clenching reflex than a soft guard, making it more effective at reducing grinding force. If you grind heavily, avoid soft-only guards.
Most custom night guards last 2–5 years with proper care. Heavy grinders may wear through a guard faster — typically 1–3 years. If you notice cracks, rough edges, or the guard no longer fits snugly, it’s time to replace it.
Most provincial plans and the CDCP do not cover night guards as of 2026. Some private dental benefit plans offer partial coverage under the “appliance” or “prosthodontic” category — check your plan documents. An online night guard significantly reduces your out-of-pocket cost regardless of coverage status.
Rinse with cool water after every use. For a deep clean, use the Petal Ultrasonic Cleaner with Petal Cleaning Pods — ultrasonic cleaning removes bacteria and mineral deposits without scratching the surface. Never soak in hot water or clean with abrasive toothpaste, which degrades the material over time.
