My boyfriend has been breaking off parts of one of his molars for a few months now, but doesn't have a cavity. The dentist recently told him it's being caused by grinding his teeth at night. She said he needs to have a mouth guard made and it will cost around $300. I have been researching this online and a lot of people are saying that they have just bought a sports mouth guard in the football section at sporting goods stores instead since they are a lot cheaper. The problem is, he needs a hard plastic guard, not a soft squishy one because that will make the griding worse by exercising his jaw muscles and making them stronger. Are there any cheaper alternatives to a hard plastic mouth guard, other than the $300 one from the dentist? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm afraid not. The dentist can make one specifically for his mouth that won't cause any further damage. The office I work in charges $375 for a night guard - you're getting a great deal!

I got one made, but I ended up not liking it. I started to become concsious of the popensity to grind just before going to bed when I was agitated. I fixed the agitation and the dentist/peridontist isn't complaining anymore.

I've had one for over 10 yrs and can't sleep without it.

In the US you can find OTC ones at pharmacies, but I'm not sure of their effectiveness or texture (hard or soft).

Adjustable Night Guard | SleepRight Select | Beauty & Spa | Walgreens

It's probably better for him to save up and get the one from his dentist though; if he's grinding so hard he's breaking his teeth, he's going to want to make sure the guard fits properly.

I wouldn't recommend a sports guard. I had to get an occlusial guard (that's what my dentist said they were called) a few years ago, which I still use to this day, and they told me that it was like a sports guard, but fitted to your teeth, and bigger. He also said that with something smaller like a sports guard, you run the risk of choking on it in your sleep.

If you cannot afford a dental mouth guard a sports mouth piece works just the same. If they both protect your teeth a $5.00 mouth guard is fine with me. At the moment I cannot afford a $300 mouth guard and my dentist is nice enough to give me other options she recommended just getting a sports mouth guard. The one I bought was only $5 and with the type of plastic on it allows me to boil it that way after it cools a little, you place it in your mouth and it molds to your teeth, overall having a lasting affect of protecting your teeth but for A lot less money.

Oh by the way, I have NEVER choked on mine.