What Is the Cost of a Dental Night Guard?

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is not uncommon in children and toddlers. If your child grinds his or her teeth at night, your dentist may recommend a dental night guard. A dental night guard can minimize the damage that occurs with teeth grinding over time, and can help prevent more serious problems. Your dentist can recommend a night guard that’s durable, comfortable, and budget-friendly.

Cost of a Dental Night Guard

There are many different types of dental night guards, and costs vary.

A typical, one-size-fits-most athletic mouthguard can cost as little as $3, while the cost of a custom-fitted night guard can exceed $1,000.

Your child’s dentist can help you figure out which type of night guard is best suited for your child. Custom-fitted night guards are typically more comfortable than cheaper, universal mouthguards.

Different Types of Night Guards

There are several different options for night guards:

  • Standard, athletic mouthguards are made of thick, durable plastic. They typically come in several sizes, either small, medium, and large, or youth and adult. Designed to protect against injuries during contact sports, athletic mouthguards can be bulky and may be uncomfortable for sleeping. The average cost of an athletic mouthguard is $10 to $15.
  • Boil and bite mouthguards are available at most major department and grocery stores. A boil and bite mouthguard is custom-fitted by boiling it to soften the plastic and then biting into it to create a mold. Once the mouthguard cools, the custom shape holds. The average cost of a boil and bite mouthguard is $15 to $25.
  • Custom-fit dental night guards are the most expensive type, with an average cost of $200 to $600. The dentist takes a mold of the patient’s teeth, and a tight-fitting night guard is produced from the mold.

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Does Your Child Need a Dental Mouthguard?

Teeth grinding can cause serious damage to the teeth, especially if it’s a lasting condition. Long-term teeth grinding can lead to:

Get a Custom-Fitted Night Guard With a Kool Smiles Partner Dentist

Kool Smiles Kids Club’s partner dentists are passionate about kids’ dental health. A Kool Smiles partner dentist can check for signs of teeth grinding and let you know if your child would benefit from a dental night guard.

In addition to cash and credit, our partners accept Medicaid, TRICARE, CHIP (formerly SCHIP), and most major insurance policies.