Custom Mouth Guards for Protection and Comfort at North Langley Family Dental
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Book NowCustom Mouth Guards and Sleep Appliances in Langley, BC
Your teeth work hard. Whether you grind your teeth at night, clench from stress, or play contact sports, the forces placed on your teeth and jaw can cause significant damage over time. At North Langley Family Dental, we provide custom-fitted mouth guards and sleep appliances to protect your teeth, relieve jaw pain, and help you sleep better — serving patients in Langley, Walnut Grove, Willowbrook, Fort Langley, and across the Fraser Valley.
Night Guards for Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism — grinding or clenching the teeth — affects an estimated 8–10% of adults, with many people unaware they do it until their dentist notices wear on their teeth or they wake with jaw pain or headaches.
Signs of bruxism include:
- Worn, flattened, or chipped tooth surfaces
- Jaw soreness or stiffness in the morning
- Headaches, especially in the temples, on waking
- Tooth sensitivity (caused by enamel wear)
- Broken dental restorations (fillings, crowns) that chip repeatedly
A custom night guard is a hard or semi-hard acrylic appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth during sleep. It creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, absorbing the grinding and clenching forces that would otherwise damage the teeth, gums, and jaw joint (TMJ).
Why custom over store-bought?
Drugstore boil-and-bite guards offer only approximate fit and limited protection. A dental night guard is fabricated from impressions of your exact teeth, ensuring a precise fit that is comfortable to wear, stays in place, and distributes forces evenly. A proper fit also means you are less likely to gag or stop wearing it.
Sports Mouth Guards
A sports mouth guard protects your teeth, lips, gums, and jaw from impact injuries during contact sports and activities. Dental injuries in sports are extremely common — a properly fitted mouth guard is estimated to prevent hundreds of thousands of oral injuries every year.
Custom sports guards from your dentist are superior to over-the-counter options because:
- They are made from precise impressions of your teeth for a perfect fit
- They do not impede breathing or speaking
- They provide better shock absorption and coverage
- They are far more comfortable to wear, so athletes actually keep them in
We recommend custom sports guards for anyone participating in hockey, football, rugby, basketball, martial arts, soccer, or any activity involving physical contact or the risk of falls.
Sleep Apnea Appliances (Mandibular Advancement Devices)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in which the airway partially or fully collapses during sleep, causing repeated interruptions in breathing. CPAP therapy is the gold-standard treatment, but many patients find the mask difficult to tolerate.
For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, or those who cannot use CPAP, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) — also called a sleep appliance or snore guard — may be an effective alternative. The device is worn during sleep and gently repositions the lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open and reducing or eliminating apnea events and snoring.
Sleep appliances are fabricated by your dentist after a referral from a physician or sleep specialist. We work closely with your medical team to ensure appropriate care.
We accept most major dental insurance plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for covered appliances.
How long does a custom night guard last?
A well-made custom night guard typically lasts 3–5 years with proper care. Heavy grinders may wear through a guard faster. We can assess your guard at your regular checkup appointments and advise when replacement is needed.
Can I use a store-bought mouth guard instead of a custom one?
Store-bought boil-and-bite guards offer only a rough approximation of fit. They are bulkier, less comfortable, more likely to be loose or cause gagging, and provide inferior protection compared to a custom dental guard. Most patients who try a custom guard never want to go back to a store-bought one.
How do I clean my night guard?
Rinse your night guard with water before and after wearing it. Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush (no toothpaste — it's too abrasive for the acrylic). Store it in the provided case with the lid open to allow air circulation. Deep clean with a denture tablet or diluted white vinegar periodically.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain and headaches?
Yes — for patients whose jaw pain and morning headaches are caused or aggravated by bruxism, a night guard can significantly reduce symptoms by preventing the clenching and grinding that strains the jaw muscles and TMJ. Some patients see dramatic improvement within the first few weeks of wearing a guard.
Is a dental sleep appliance the same as a CPAP machine?
No. CPAP therapy uses continuous air pressure delivered through a mask to keep the airway open. A mandibular advancement device (sleep appliance) works by physically repositioning the lower jaw to prevent airway collapse. MADs are appropriate for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring; CPAP remains the gold standard for moderate to severe OSA.
Does insurance cover mouth guards and sleep appliances?
Coverage varies by plan. Sports guards and night guards may be covered as a basic benefit under some plans. Sleep apnea appliances may be covered under dental or medical benefits. We will check your coverage before proceeding.
Visit North Langley Family Dental Today
Protect your teeth and sleep better. Contact North Langley Family Dental at 604-888-6885 or book online. Serving patients in Langley, Walnut Grove, Willowbrook, Fort Langley, and the Fraser Valley.
