Teeth grinding and nightguards in Edgware
A nightguard is a soft, custom-made cover you wear over your teeth while you sleep, so that grinding and clenching wear the guard instead of your teeth. At Toothi London in Edgware a custom soft nightguard is £195. If you are not sure whether you grind, a £55 check-up will tell you: worn, flattened or chipped edges are usually the giveaway.
Written and reviewed by Dr Ali El-Kabengi (GDC 270807), principal dentist at Toothi London, 1 Handel Parade, Edgware HA8 6LD. Updated October 2026.
Signs you might be grinding your teeth
- Your teeth look shorter, flatter or more worn than they used to.
- Small chips or cracks along the edges of your front teeth.
- An aching jaw, or tight muscles at the side of your face, when you wake up.
- Morning headaches around the temples.
- Teeth that feel sensitive for no obvious reason.
- Someone who shares your room hears you grinding at night.
Most grinding happens during sleep, so many people only find out when a dentist points out the wear. Stress, poor sleep, caffeine and alcohol can all make it worse.
Why it is worth protecting your teeth
Enamel does not grow back. Years of grinding can wear teeth down, crack fillings and crowns, and chip composite bonding and veneers. A nightguard doesn’t stop the habit, but it takes the force so your teeth, and any dental work you have paid for, don’t.
Getting a nightguard at Toothi
- Check-up. We look at the wear on your teeth, your bite and your jaw muscles, and confirm whether a nightguard is right for you.
- Made to fit you. Your soft nightguard is custom-made to your teeth, not a boil-and-bite guard from a shop.
- Fitting. We check it fits comfortably and that your bite feels even on it, and show you how to wear and clean it.
If your jaw joint itself is painful, clicks or locks, we will examine it at your check-up and, where you need more than a nightguard, refer you on.
Custom nightguard vs a shop-bought guard
| Shop-bought guard | Custom soft nightguard | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Moulded at home; often bulky or loose | Made to your teeth |
| Comfort overnight | Can be hard to sleep in | Made to sit comfortably all night |
| Bite checked by a dentist | No | Yes |
| Fee at Toothi | — | £195 |
What it costs at Toothi
| General check-up (examination) | £55 |
| Soft nightguard, custom-made | £195 |
If you have porcelain veneers with us, packages of six or more include a nightguard to protect them. Every figure is on our fees page. See also composite bonding, veneers and chipped tooth repair.
Common questions
How much is a nightguard at Toothi?
£195 for a custom-made soft nightguard. If you are a new patient, we check your teeth and bite at a £55 check-up first.
Will a nightguard stop me grinding?
No. It protects your teeth while you grind rather than treating the cause. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and better sleep, can help with the habit itself.
I’ve had composite bonding or veneers. Do I need a nightguard?
If you grind, yes. Bonding and veneers can chip under the force of grinding, and a nightguard is the simplest way to protect them. We will tell you at your check-up whether you show signs of grinding.
How do I look after my nightguard?
Rinse and brush it gently each morning, let it dry, and keep it in its case. Bring it to your check-ups so we can see how it is wearing.
