Custom Night Guards That Protect Your Teeth
Grinding or clenching can quietly wear down your teeth. At SMILES ON 35th, Dr. Rubecca Shahid fits custom night guards in Seattle after finding out why you grind, so your teeth are protected and the cause gets the attention it needs.
Waking up with a sore jaw?
Grinding and clenching are common, and a custom night guard is a very good, minimally invasive first step.
Maybe you wake with a tight jaw or a dull headache, or your partner hears you grinding at night. Maybe you notice yourself clenching under a heavy lift at the gym, or during a stressful day at work. You're far from alone: grinding and clenching, also called bruxism, are very common.
Over time, grinding wears, chips and cracks teeth, and it can strain the jaw. A custom night guard is one of the simplest ways to protect them. It's minimally invasive, nothing is removed from your teeth, and it starts working the first night you wear it. We make yours from a 3D scan, so it fits precisely and feels comfortable.
See what your first visit includes
Protection that lets you rest easier
A well-made night guard does more than cushion your teeth. Here's what it can do for your teeth, your jaw and the dental work you already have.
The guard takes the force of grinding instead of your enamel, which helps prevent flattened, chipped and cracked teeth. Your natural enamel stays protected night after night.
A guard designed around your bite can ease the strain on your jaw muscles and joints, so mornings feel less tense. Many people notice the difference within the first few weeks.
If you have crowns, veneers or fillings, a guard protects that investment from the grinding forces that crack and loosen restorations early, so your dental work lasts longer. It's a small step that protects a much bigger investment.
A night guard protects your teeth without changing them, so it's an easy, low-commitment way to start, and it's reversible if your needs change.
With your teeth cushioned and your jaw less strained, many people wake up with fewer headaches and less tension.
What goes into your guard
A custom night guard is a thin, precisely fitted mouthpiece you wear while you sleep. Here's how we make yours, from diagnosis to fitting.
Diagnosed at your exam
We look for signs of grinding, such as wear, chips and jaw tension, during your comprehensive or periodic exam.
A 3D scan, no trays
A quick 3D scan of your teeth replaces messy impression trays and captures every detail.
A precise, custom fit
Your guard is made for your teeth, so it stays put, feels thinner and protects evenly all night.
Airway screening
Grinding can be linked to breathing during sleep, so we screen your airway at the same exam.
Who a night guard helps
A night guard helps people who grind or clench, people with worn, chipped or cracked teeth, people who wake with a sore jaw or headaches, and anyone protecting new crowns, veneers or fillings.
It's a simple, comfortable way to protect your smile while you sleep, and it lets your jaw muscles rest so mornings feel easier.
Book your comprehensive exam
From exam to a guard that fits
Diagnosis at your exam
During your comprehensive or periodic exam, we check for wear, chips and jaw tension, and explain what we see.
3D scan
A quick 3D scan of your teeth gives us a precise model for your guard, with no impression trays.
Fitting
We fit your guard, adjust it for comfort, and show you how to wear and clean it.
Check the fit
At your next visit, we confirm the guard still fits well and your jaw feels better.
A gentle dentist who champions your lifelong health
Dr. Rubecca Shahid owns SMILES ON 35th in Wedgwood and leads your care herself, gently and with time to listen. Her own health struggles, then her mother's diagnosis, left her asking what the point of all our hard work is without the health to enjoy it. Longevity dentistry is her answer: care that protects your mouth and your health, so you can enjoy the life you're building.
Her care is conservative: she saves natural tooth wherever she can, chooses the least invasive option that will last, and recommends only treatment that truly helps you. When a tooth needs more, she shows you why. She is empathetic and thorough, with clear choices and no pressure.
She champions your long-term health and has trained to deliver on it. A Kois Center graduate, one of about 1,200 dentists worldwide, she completes nearly eight times the continuing education Washington requires every year. Her training spans prevention, function and sleep, restoration and smile design, so one dentist who knows you can plan each stage, close to home.
- Advanced training in diagnosis, treatment planning and bite stabilization from the Kois Center
- Biomimetic Dentistry Practitioner with mastership from the Alleman Center
- Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
I came to longevity dentistry through my own health journey, wanting to understand why problems start and how to prevent them. What I needed then is what I want for you now: more good years, a smile you feel good about, and a dentist who listens.
A guard made to fit you
A night guard is only as good as its fit and the care behind it. These are the reasons ours protect well and feel comfortable.
Made from a 3D scan
A precise digital scan means a guard that fits snugly, without bulky edges.
Part of your regular exam
Grinding is diagnosed at your comprehensive or periodic exam, with no separate appointment.
Trained to look deeper
Dr. Shahid is trained to recognize when grinding is linked to sleep and breathing, and screens your airway alongside the guard.
Fit checked over time
We check your guard at future visits and adjust it as needed, so it keeps protecting you.
Hear it from our patients
Before you book, it helps to hear from people who have been in the chair. Read what patients say about their visits and treatment at SMILES ON 35th.
Read more reviewson Google (opens in a new tab)Highly recommended! I was immediately impressed by the staff's positivity and professionalism. My new-patient consultation was a breeze, and the office felt warm and inviting. I mentioned some tooth sensitivity and a few cosmetic concerns, and Dr. Shahid and her team made sure I was comfortable and well informed about every option to improve my dental health and enhance my smile. On top of the great vibes, they offer lots of comfort options like eye masks and weighted blankets. Overall, I was very happy with my visit!
Night guard questions
You may, if you grind or clench and it's wearing your teeth or straining your jaw. We check for signs during your exam, and a custom night guard is a simple, minimally invasive way to protect your teeth.
Yes. A custom guard fits your teeth exactly and is designed around your bite, so it stays in place, feels thinner and protects evenly. Store-bought guards are bulkier and can shift your bite if they fit poorly.
A night guard protects your teeth and helps your jaw muscles relax, but it doesn't always stop grinding itself. It takes the wear instead of your teeth, which is what matters most.
Rinse it after wearing, brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water, and keep it dry in its case. Bring it to your check-ups so we can make sure it still fits.
Most people get used to it within a few nights. Because it's made from a 3D scan of your teeth, it's thin and snug, and we adjust it until it feels right.
Reviewed by Dr. Rubecca Shahid Updated
When grinding is part of a bigger picture
If your jaw hurts, your muscles stay tight, or your bite feels off, these pages explain care that works alongside a night guard.
