Are there alternatives to a night guard?

1. A dentist-made night guard. Fitted and adjusted to your bite. Usually the most comfortable and longest-lasting.
2. A store-bought guard. Costs far less, but fits less closely and may not protect as well. See Can I just buy one at the store or online?
3. Watching and re-checking. Reasonable for mild wear with no symptoms. Ask your dentist to record the wear now so you can compare.
4. Working on what's behind it. Stress is a common trigger in adults. Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco may help, and so can noticing and relaxing daytime clenching. Some medicines, including certain antidepressants, are linked with grinding; if it started after a new medicine, mention it to your doctor.
5. Checking your sleep. If you snore or wake up tired, a doctor can look into sleep problems, which are sometimes linked with grinding.
6. Botox injections in the jaw muscles are sometimes offered. They aren't FDA-approved for grinding or jaw pain, and the evidence is limited. Ask what's known about the benefits and side effects, and how long the effect lasts.

• Hard guard (D9944): rigid plastic covering all the teeth on one jaw. The most common choice for heavy grinding.
• Soft guard (D9945): flexible material covering all the teeth on one jaw. Sometimes used for lighter grinding.
• Partial guard (D9946): covers only the front teeth. Usually meant for short-term use, because the back teeth can shift if it's worn for a long time. Ask how long you should wear it.

Reshaping the bite by grinding down teeth, or placing crowns or braces to “fix” grinding, isn't supported by good evidence for grinding or jaw pain, and those changes can't be undone. If a permanent bite change is suggested for grinding or jaw pain, that's a good time for a second opinion.