Sleep & Night Guards 
Collingwood

When exploring options for dental night guards in Collingwood, it’s important to recognize the differences between those available at your local pharmacy and those provided by your dentist. While over-the-counter products may seem convenient, it’s essential to understand the added benefits of a custom dental night guard.

Our dentist in Collingwood for night guards, or sleep guards, can offer a tailored fit that not only protects your teeth but also addresses any damage caused by clenching and grinding. They can also help identify and treat any underlying issues.

At Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood, we collaborate with a professional dental lab to create custom night guards for our patients, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal results. Our team is ready to discuss your options for dental night guards in Collingwood and answer any questions you may have about the process!

What defines a Night Guard?

Night guards in Collingwood can be a vital solution for those who frequently wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, or tooth discomfort. If this sounds familiar, it’s important to consult our team at Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood. You may be suffering from bruxism, a condition characterized by teeth grinding during sleep, which can lead to significant oral health problems if not addressed.

A popular treatment option is the night guard. Also known as bruxism guards, sleep guards, or mouth guards, these devices are designed to be worn at night to protect your teeth from grinding. At our Collingwood clinic, we create custom night guards that fit comfortably in your mouth, allowing for easy breathing as you sleep. Created from durable materials, these guards can last up to ten years, depending on your grinding intensity.

What are the Advantages of a Night Guard?

Night guards in Collingwood function as a critical protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, helping reduce or completely prevent the damage caused by nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. While many people assume bruxism is simply an occasional habit, the reality is that the pressure exerted during grinding can be significantly higher than normal chewing force. Over time, this can lead to widespread oral issues, discomfort, and costly dental repairs. A professionally made night guard from Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood offers a simple, effective, and long-lasting solution.

Prevents Further Damage to Your Teeth

Most people are unaware that grinding often happens subconsciously while sleeping. Because of this, the severity and frequency of grinding can go unnoticed until a dentist sees visible wear patterns on the teeth. When grinding continues untreated, tooth enamel becomes thinner, exposing the sensitive layer beneath and increasing the likelihood of cavities and erosion. Restorations such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants are especially vulnerable to breaking under grinding pressure. If fractures occur, patients may require extensive treatment—including root canals, extractions, or full-coverage crowns. A night guard acts as a protective shield that absorbs and redistributes this force, helping preserve both natural teeth and dental restorations.

Helps Prevent TMJ Problems

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ), located on each side of the jaw, play a major role in speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Clenching and grinding place excessive strain on these joints, which can cause inflammation, muscle tension, and joint dysfunction. This often results in symptoms such as popping or clicking sounds, pain when chewing, earaches, neck stiffness, and recurring morning headaches. A custom night guard helps reposition the jaw slightly and reduces the pressure placed on the TMJ throughout the night. Over time, this can significantly ease discomfort, allow the muscles to relax, improve jaw mobility, and prevent long-term joint complications.

Saves Money on Future Dental Treatments

Dental work is an investment, and protecting that investment is essential. A night guard can reduce your risk of fractures, chips, and enamel wear—problems that typically lead to complex, costly procedures. By minimizing grinding-related damage, patients often require fewer restorations and emergency visits. Considering that a night guard can last several years, the long-term financial savings can be substantial. Even patients who only grind occasionally often benefit from the added protection, particularly if they already have crowns or other dental work that could be compromised.

Supports Better Sleep and Overall Comfort

Grinding can lead to muscle tension, which can contribute to restless sleep, headaches, morning fatigue, and facial soreness. Wearing a night guard helps cushion these forces and maintain jaw relaxation. Many patients report better-quality sleep, fewer headaches, and improved comfort upon waking. If you have noticed jaw discomfort, tooth sensitivity, headaches, or difficulty chewing, be sure to mention these symptoms at your next visit. Our team at Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood can assess whether a night guard may be beneficial and guide you through the process.

What Is Bruxism and Why Is a Night Guard Essential?

Night guards in Collingwood are highly recommended for patients who clench or grind their teeth, whether during the day or while sleeping. This condition, known as Bruxism, can significantly harm your oral health. Grinding specifically involves the movement of the upper and lower jaw back and forth while in contact, whereas clenching refers to biting down with excessive force for prolonged periods.

Individuals with Bruxism often clench and grind their teeth throughout the night, putting excessive pressure on jaw muscles and wearing down tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to extensive damage to teeth and jaw muscles, potentially requiring restorative or surgical treatment. It may also result in headaches, jaw pain, and neck pain.

Several factors contribute to the development of Bruxism:

Age

Bruxism is more common in young children than in older adults.

Personality

Traits such as competitiveness, aggressiveness, and hyperactivity increase the risk.

Emotions

High levels of stress, anger, or emotional instability are linked to a higher risk of Bruxism.

Medications and Drugs

Use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, or certain psychiatric medications can elevate the risk.

Medical Conditions

Health issues like ADHD, sleep apnea, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease also
increase susceptibility.

If you identify with one or more of these factors and are experiencing persistent headaches or jaw pain, we recommend consulting our dental team at Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood about your options for a night guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Questions about Peaks Family Dentistry

What are the Different Types of Night Guards?
There are several types of night guards available in Collingwood, each designed to meet different needs and levels of bruxism severity. Choosing the right one is essential for comfort, durability, and long-term oral health. While over-the-counter options may seem convenient or budget-friendly, they often fail to offer the precise fit and stability required for proper protection. Understanding the differences between the available materials and styles can help you make an informed decision.

Types of Night Guard Materials:

● Hard Night Guards
Hard night guards are made from durable acrylic and are ideal for individuals who experience severe grinding or intense clenching. Because of their rigid structure, they provide strong resistance against heavy grinding forces and are less likely to wear down prematurely. Hard guards also help stabilize the bite and prevent excessive jaw movement during sleep. Although they may feel slightly bulkier than other types at first, their longevity and protective capabilities make them an excellent option for patients with severe bruxism or TMJ-related symptoms.

● Soft Night Guards
Soft night guards are flexible and comfortable, making them best suited for patients with mild grinding or occasional clenching. These guards provide a cushioned feel and are often easier to adjust to than hard acrylic versions. However, because of their softer material, they may wear

out more quickly—especially for those who grind heavily. Some patients who clench rather than grind prefer soft guards because they provide gentle resistance without the firmness of acrylic. While useful in mild cases, they are not recommended for patients with moderate to severe bruxism.

Types of Night Guards Available for Purchase:

● Pharmacy and Drugstore Night Guards
Many drugstores and online retailers offer “boil-and-bite” or one-size-fits-most night guards. While these products can be moulded slightly to fit your bite, they rarely provide precise alignment. Poorly fitted guards can cause jaw strain, bite misalignment, or even increased grinding in some cases. They are typically made of softer, lower-quality materials that break down faster, making them a temporary or limited solution. Although inexpensive, they may cause more harm than good if they alter the bite or fail to protect the teeth adequately.

● Custom-Made Night Guards
Custom night guards are created specifically for your teeth using impressions or digital scans. At Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood, these impressions are sent to a trusted dental laboratory where a high-quality, long-lasting guard is fabricated. The precise fit ensures stability, comfort, and optimal protection for your teeth, jaw, and TMJ. Custom guards are crafted from high- quality materials that withstand nightly wear for years. They also promote proper jaw alignment, minimize the risk of choking or slipping, and ensure consistent contact for effective relief from grinding or clenching.

Reasons to Invest in a Custom-Made Night Guard:

● Alignment
A custom night guard maintains your jaw's natural alignment, reducing strain and preventing TMJ complications.

● Stability
Because it fits your teeth perfectly, it stays in place throughout the night without shifting.

● Superior Materials
Custom guards are built from high-quality, long-lasting materials that withstand strong grinding forces better than over-the-counter alternatives.

Although other options exist, investing in a custom-made night guard is the safest, mosteffective way to protect your oral health.

How Are Night Guards Made?
Getting customized night guards in Collingwood is a quick, comfortable, and entirely painless process. If your dentist or hygienist hasn’t mentioned a night guard but you're curious about whether it could benefit you, feel free to bring it up—we're always happy to discuss your options.

Here’s what you can expect from the process:

1. Impressions
To begin, one of our dental professionals will take an impression of your teeth using either traditional impression material or a digital scanner. This ensures we get an accurate replica of your teeth, gums, and bite—key to creating a perfectly fitting night guard.

2. Custom Fabrication
Your impression is then sent to a trusted dental laboratory, where your night guard is crafted using a strong, long-lasting plastic-like material, customized just for you.

3. Fit and Try-In
Once your night guard is ready, it’s returned to our Collingwood clinic. A member of our team will contact you to book a quick appointment to try it on, ensure it fits comfortably, and send you home with it.

4. At-Home Use
Now it’s simply a matter of wearing your night guard while you sleep. While it may take a few nights to get used to, most patients find the benefits—such as reduced grinding, clenching, and jaw discomfort—well worth the adjustment. The night guard is designed to be comfortable, non-restrictive to breathing, and easy to speak with if needed. Overall, getting a custom dental night guard is a simple process, and our team at Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood is happy to answer any questions you may have about it!

What is the Cost of a Night Guard?
When considering custom night guards in Collingwood, several factors can affect your total cost. These include the type of materials used, the specific design of the appliance, and whether you have dental insurance coverage that includes night guards. Without insurance, the cost of a custom dental night guard at Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood typically ranges between $350 and $600. Our pricing follows the Ontario Dental Fee Guide, as set by the Ontario Dental Association. These fees are reviewed and updated annually to reflect current standards.

To help make treatment more accessible, we’re happy to discuss financing options that allow you to spread the cost out with manageable monthly payments. Our team is here to ensure you get the care you need, without financial stress getting in the way.

Does Insurance Cover Night Guards?
Many dental insurance plans recognize the value of night guards in Collingwood and provide coverage, as they play an important role in protecting and preserving long-term oral health. However, not all plans include night guards, so coverage can vary.

At Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood, our team is happy to review your specific insurance plan with you to determine whether night guards are covered and explain any related benefits or limitations. For added convenience, we offer Direct Insurance Billing. This means we’ll bill your insurance provider directly for eligible treatments, so you’ll only be responsible for any applicable copayments or deductibles at the time of your visit.

We also accept all major insurance plans. If you’re unsure whether your plan qualifies or have any questions about coverage, just give us a call—we’re here to help clarify everything for you.

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Book an Appointment for a Night Guard at
Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood

Your search for reliable, professionally made night guards in Collingwood ends here! Booking an
appointment with Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood is quick, easy, and accessible in whichever way
works best for you. You can reach us by phone, email, our online booking form, or by visiting our clinic in
person. We welcome new and returning patients, as well as walk-ins, and our friendly team is always
ready to help you explore options for managing clenching, grinding, or TMJ discomfort.

Our clinic is conveniently located at 31 Huron St, Collingwood, with ample free parking to make your
visit stress-free. Whether you’re ready to start the process of getting a custom night guard or still have
questions about your symptoms, coverage, or treatment options, we’re here to guide you every step of
the way. Peaks Family Dentistry Collingwood proudly offers comprehensive dental care, emergency
services, and direct insurance billing for all major plans.

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31 Huron Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y0E8