In short
- Signs of grinding include jaw pain, headaches, earache and worn or sensitive teeth.
- Stress and anxiety are the most common triggers.
- A custom night guard protects your teeth. It does not cure grinding or jaw joint problems.
- Jaw joint pain (TMD) usually gets better on its own with simple self-care.
- Usually 2 visits: one to take a mould or scan, one to fit the guard.
Is a night guard right for me?
A night guard can help if you grind or clench your teeth. Signs listed by the NHS (reviewed April 2026) include:
- jaw pain
- worn, chipped or broken teeth
- sensitive teeth
- headaches and earache
Stress and anxiety are the most common triggers. Over time, grinding may lead to problems with the jaw joint, called temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Who it isn’t for: treatment for grinding is not always needed, and a guard is not a cure for jaw joint problems. If you mainly have jaw pain, simple self-care often helps first (see below). A dentist needs to examine you to know what is behind your symptoms.
What happens, step by step
This is the typical process. Our dentists confirm the plan after checking you.
- Check. The dentist asks about your symptoms, checks your teeth for wear and feels your jaw muscles and joints.
- Mould or scan. If a guard will help, the dentist takes a mould or scan of your teeth.
- Making the guard. A guard is made to fit your teeth exactly.
- Fitting. At the second visit the dentist checks the fit and your bite, and shows you how to clean it.
- Review. Come back if it feels tight, hurts or wears through.
If grinding is wearing your teeth down, a custom night guard protects the biting surfaces while you sleep (NHS). Your dentist may also repair chipped or broken teeth once they are protected.
Jaw joint pain (TMD) can cause pain around the jaw, ear and temple, clicking, headaches and trouble opening your mouth. The NHS says it usually gets better on its own and is not usually serious. Self-care often helps:
- Eat soft food such as dal, rice, soup and eggs.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the packet.
- Use a cold pack or a warm cloth on the jaw.
- Gently massage the jaw muscles.
- Avoid chewing gum, biting your nails and clenching your teeth.
If grinding seems to be part of the problem, a guard may be added.
What’s included, and what may cost extra
| Usually part of the night guard | May cost extra |
|---|---|
| Mould or scan of your teeth | Repairs to teeth already damaged by grinding |
| Making and fitting the guard | A replacement guard if it wears through or is lost |
| Fit and bite check | X-rays, if the dentist needs them |
How much a night guard costs in Kathmandu
We could not find a published night guard price on Kathmandu clinic price lists in October 2026. Of the clinic lists we checked, one gave a price for laser treatment for jaw pain (NPR 5,000 per session) and asked people to call about other jaw treatment. Our own price is below.
What changes the price:
- Repairs to worn or broken teeth.
- Replacements over time.
| Treatment | Our price (NPR) | Typical visits |
|---|---|---|
| Night guards and jaw pain care | From NPR 6,000 per guard | 2 |
See our full price list.
Risks, recovery and aftercare
Bring it to your check-ups so the dentist can look at the fit and wear.
- Rinse and brush the guard gently after use, and keep it in its case.
- Tell us if it feels tight, rubs your gums or changes how your teeth meet.
- Keep up the self-care steps if your jaw is sore.
Get urgent care if
- You cannot eat or drink because of jaw pain.
- Your jaw locks, or you cannot open your mouth fully.
- You have severe or frequent headaches, or problems with your eyesight such as double vision.
These signs come from the NHS TMD page. If you have a toothache or a broken tooth, see our emergency dentist page.
Alternatives
| Option | How it works | Time | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-care | Soft food, painkillers, cold or warm packs, jaw massage, no gum | Days to weeks | Ongoing habits | Mild jaw pain |
| Stress support | Ways to lower stress, the most common trigger of grinding | Ongoing | Regular practice | Grinding linked to stress |
| Custom night guard | A guard made to fit your teeth, worn at night | About 2 visits | Clean daily, check-ups | Worn or chipped teeth from grinding |
| Repairing teeth | Fillings or caps (crowns) on damaged teeth | 1 or more visits | Best with a guard | Teeth already broken by grinding |
If grinding has broken a tooth, read about tooth fillings and dental crowns.
Clean and safe
Your mould or scan, and the guard itself, are handled with the same cleaning steps as every other treatment. Read how we clean and sterilise.
Sources
- Teeth grinding (bruxism), NHS (2026-04-08)
- Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), NHS (2023-06-20)
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to know what is right for your teeth.
