Teeth Grinding Splints: What They Are and How They Work

Teeth grinding splints or occlusal splints are custom-made night guards that fit your teeth. They are worn before sleep and act as a barrier to protect your teeth from the effects of bruxism.

In this blog, we take a deep dive into what is bruxism, its causes, and the role teeth-grinding splints play in helping with dental grinding.

If you are interested in buying top-notch custom-made grinding splints, read this blog to find out how to pick the right one for you.

What Is Bruxism?

The condition of involuntary and repetitive clenching of jaws, and gnashing or grinding of teeth is called bruxism. It may occur during the day, although night bruxism is more common.

As a result of teeth grinding, the jaw bones are strained, the head starts to ache and the teeth enamel starts to wear.

Bruxism may also disrupt your or your partner’s sleep since grinding results in an unpleasant sound that is quite noticeable to the person sleeping next to you.

What Causes Bruxism?

It isn’t quite known what leads to bruxism, however, there has been a strong connection established with stress and teeth grinding. Other factors that lead to bruxism include:

• Psychological factors such as anxiety, distress, nervousness
• Genetics
• Age
• Sleep disorders
• Alcohol consumption
• Certain medications

How Do Teeth Grinding Splints Work?

A teeth-grinding splint looks similar to aligners or teeth-whitening trays and acts as a barrier or a cushion that covers the teeth to protect them from the effects of grinding and clenching.

A dental splint for grinding may also be referred to as a dental guard, teeth protector, night guard, mouth guard for grinding, or an occlusal guard.

An occlusal splint does not actually stop grinding or clenching, it does however shield the teeth from pressure and damage due to bruxism.

How Are Grinding Splints Made?

Custom grinding splints are personalised, i-e made according to your teeth' impression. If you get yours from an oral health care provider, he will take your dental impressions with a putty, or an oral scan, and get your splints made as per your impressions.

If however, you choose to buy them from an at-home night guard provider, you don’t have to visit a dentist, simply follow these steps:

Types of Custom Splints

Generally, there are three to four variations of teeth-grinding splints available, and comprise the following:

Hard Splints

This variation of the night guards is usually thin and sturdy. They are designed to withstand severe grinding. Custom hard night guards by Smilepath are made from PETG material and are 2mm thick.

Soft Splints

These are soft and comfortable nightguards, designed for light grinders, and are easy to sleep in. Smilepath soft night guards are made from soft EVA material and are up to 3mm thick.

Hybrid Splints

These are dual-layered with adequate protection and enhanced comfort. Smilepath hybrid night guards have an outer sturdy layer for protection against grinding and an inner soft layer for added comfort and they come in two thicknesses of 1mm and 2mm.

Smilepath Custom Night guards come with an impression kit and free delivery starting from

Daytime Splints

These are usually very thin and clear since wearing them during the day should ideally go unnoticed. They help against daytime bruxism.

Custom Teeth Grinding Splints vs OTC Night Guards

You can either buy custom grinding splints or get the ready-to-wear kinds from any drugstore near you.

Both these options differ in terms of price, comfort, and effectiveness. However, the custom-made option fits better, is more durable, and is usually thinner than the over-the-counter (OTC) option. This is what makes them a preferred choice for long-term use.

Best Grinding Splints

If you opt for custom-made teeth grinding splints, they can either be bought from your dental care expert or directly from an online night guard provider who will send them to your address.

The best grinding splints are the custom-made hybrid night guards, delivered directly to your home. Their hybrid nature ensures that they strike a balance between comfort and protection while the at-home deliverability ensures that they cost half as much as in-office dental guards.

To sum it up, occlusal splints are worn during the night to protect teeth from the effects of bruxism. You can either buy yours from a dental expert or order them at home for half the price. Either way, protecting your teeth is essential to maintain their structure and health for a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions