A night guard for teeth grinding costs $16.59 to $27.99 over the counter at Target, $95 to $189 as a custom guard made from an at-home impression, and $430 to $1,125 from a dentist (national average $655). Soft guards suit light grinders, hard acrylic suits heavy grinding, and hybrid guards have a soft inside and hard outside. The ADA says store-bought guards may not protect as well as one made for your teeth.
- $16.59 to $27.99Store-bought dental guard (boil or fitting tray)
- $95 to $189Custom guard from an at-home impression kit
- $430 to $1,125Dentist-made night guard (code D9944)
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Picks by need
We grouped guards by the kind of grinding they are sold for, using each maker's published material, thickness and price on October 30, 2026. We did not test any guard. Each button opens an Amazon search for that type of guard.
- Lowest cost to try
Store-bought dental guard[5]
$16.59 to $27.99 at Target [5]
- Examples: DenTek Professional-Fit ($16.59), Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard ($19.49), SleepRight Ultra-Comfort ($23.49) [5]
- Fits with a tray or hot water at home; no impression kit
- The ADA says store guards may not protect as well as a guard made for you [1]
- Light or occasional grinding
Soft custom guard, 2 mm[6][7]
ClearComfort Soft Guard: $159 [7]; BiteKnight Flex: $95 [6]
- Soft vinyl, 2 mm thick, sold for light grinders and occasional clenchers [7]
- Made from your own impression, taken at home and mailed back [7]
- Heavy or severe grinding
Hard acrylic guard, 2 to 3 mm[6][7]
ClearComfort Hard 2 mm: $175, Ultra-Hard 3 mm: $185 [7]; BiteKnight Armor: $165 [6]
- ClearComfort sells the 3 mm Ultra-Hard for severe bruxism [7]
- BiteKnight calls Armor its strongest and longest-lasting guard [6]
- Comfort and protection
Hybrid (dual laminate) guard[6][7]
BiteKnight Shield: $115 [6]; ClearComfort Dual Layer 3 mm: $189 [7]
- Soft liner against the teeth, hard acrylic shell outside [6]
- ClearComfort sells it for moderate to severe bruxism and to protect veneers, crowns and implants [7]
- Daytime clenching
Thin daytime guard, 1 mm[7]
ClearComfort Ultra-Thin: $165 [7]
- 1 mm thick, in hard or soft material, sold for daytime bruxism [7]
- A 1.5 mm Double-Duty version ($169) is sold for day and night use [7]
Prices at a glance
- Store-bought dental guard (boil or fitting tray)$16.59 to $27.99
- Custom guard from an at-home impression kit$95 to $189
- Dentist-made night guard (code D9944)$430 to $1,125
Price table
| Item | Low | High | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Store-bought dental guard (boil or fitting tray)[5] | $16.59 | $27.99 | DenTek, SleepRight, Oral-B at Target | |
| Custom guard from an at-home impression kit[6][7] | $95 | $189 | BiteKnight and ClearComfort list prices | |
| Dentist-made night guard (code D9944)[4] | $430 | $1,125 | $655 | State averages $570 to $830 |
Prices are typical ranges from the maker and retailer pages listed below on the date shown. Prices change often; check the seller before you buy. How we get these prices
Types of night guards
Night guards are plastic pieces, soft or hard, that cover either the top or bottom teeth. They also go by mouthguard, occlusal guard, dental guard, bite splint or nocturnal bite plate.[3] There are three ways to get one:
- Store-bought. Sold without a prescription at most pharmacies.[3] You shape it with a fitting tray or hot water. At Target they cost $16.59 to $27.99.[5]
- Custom from a mail-order lab. You take an impression at home, mail it back and receive a guard made from it.[7] Lab prices run $95 to $189.[6][7]
- Made by your dentist. The dentist takes the mold and checks the fit. The national average is $655, with most fees between $430 and $1,125.[4]
The ADA says a custom guard made from your dentist’s mold gives the closest, most comfortable fit, and that guards sold online and in stores may not protect as well.[1] Custom guards cost more and tend to be higher quality.[3]
Soft vs hard vs hybrid
| Material | Thickness | Sold for | Example price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft vinyl | 2 mm | Light grinders, occasional clenchers[7] | $159[7] |
| Soft vinyl, thicker | 3 mm | Moderate to heavy grinding[7] | $185[7] |
| Hard acrylic | 2 mm | Moderate grinding[7] | $175[7] |
| Hard acrylic | 3 mm | Severe grinding[7] | $185[7] |
| Hybrid: hard outside, soft inside | 3 mm | Moderate to severe grinding; crowns, veneers, implants[7] | $115 to $189[6][7] |
| Thin daytime guard | 1 mm | Clenching during the day[7] | $165[7] |
Sizes and prices above are one lab’s published options; other labs use similar categories.[6][7]
What to look for
- Your grinding level. Pick the material by how hard you grind: soft for light grinding, hard or hybrid for heavy grinding.[7]
- A guard made for sleep. Sports guards have extra cushioning and probably will not feel comfortable at night.[1]
- Refund or remake terms. ClearComfort lists a 45-day satisfaction guarantee with free adjustments or remakes, and BiteKnight a money-back guarantee.[7][6]
- Dental work. If you have crowns, veneers or implants, ask your dentist which guard to use.[7]
When to see a dentist
Tell a provider if grinding symptoms do not go away or happen more often than not; dentists usually diagnose bruxism from an exam and your symptoms, and can treat damage before it gets worse.[2] Symptoms include jaw pain, dull headaches, ear pain and neck pain.[1] Research links sleep apnea and teeth grinding, so mention snoring or poor sleep; the ADA notes a sleep study can check for sleep problems.[2][1] People who smoke or drink alcohol or coffee are twice as likely to grind their teeth.[1]
Ways to pay less
- Check your dental plan. Pearl says most plans cover custom occlusal guards for bruxism at 50% after the deductible, once every two to five years.[4]
- Use FSA or HSA funds for a dentist-prescribed guard.[4]
- Compare a mail-order lab ($95 to $189) with your dentist’s quote ($430 to $1,125).[4][6][7]
- Use a dental discount plan. Care Anytime’s dental benefit lists 20% to 50% off most dental procedures at participating dentists.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mouth guard help with grinding teeth?
It protects the teeth rather than stopping the habit. The ADA says a dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep, and Cleveland Clinic says most people who grind their teeth can ease symptoms with a custom mouth guard.
What can I use instead of a mouth guard?
Cleveland Clinic lists stress management (meditation, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy), cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, a short course of muscle relaxers, and Botox injections, which usually need repeating every three to four months. The ADA says stress management works best paired with a night guard.
Does insurance cover mouth guards?
Dentist-made guards often are, in part. Pearl says custom occlusal guards for bruxism are a major benefit on most plans, covered at 50% after the deductible and limited to once every two to five years, usually with documentation of bruxism. Over-the-counter guards bought without a prescription are not covered.
Does Delta Dental cover night guards?
It depends on your plan. Check whether your plan lists occlusal guards, the coverage percentage and the frequency limit. Pearl says most dental plans that cover them pay 50% after the deductible once every two to five years, and FSA and HSA funds can pay for a dentist-prescribed guard.
Can teeth grinding cause headaches?
Yes. Cleveland Clinic lists headaches or facial pain, especially in the morning, as a symptom of bruxism, and the ADA lists dull headaches, jaw pain, neck pain and ear pain.
Can I use a sports mouth guard for grinding?
The ADA says sports guards have extra cushioning for high-impact activity and probably will not feel comfortable for sleep. Use a guard made for night grinding.
Related
Sources
- 1 American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Teeth Grinding. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 2 Cleveland Clinic. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 3 Colgate. Do I Need a Night Guard for Teeth Clenching?. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 4 Pearl (citing dental fee data). Night Guard: National Cost (D9944). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 5 Target. Night guard for teeth grinding: search results and prices. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 6 BiteKnight. Night guards: Armor, Shield and Flex. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 7 ClearComfort Night Guards. Custom night guards for teeth grinding. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.