Custom Nightguards for Children and Teens in Apex
Last updated
Nightguards are custom oral appliances designed to protect teeth from direct contact during nighttime grinding or clenching. Because children and teens continue to experience tooth eruption, jaw growth, and orthodontic changes, an examination is necessary before an appliance is recommended. Dr. Michael Kim evaluates the teeth, bite, jaw muscles, dental development, sleep history, and signs of wear to determine whether a nightguard or another next step is appropriate.
What Are Nightguards?
Custom Dental Appliances for Nighttime Grinding and Clenching in Apex
A nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth during sleep. It may be recommended when grinding or clenching contributes to tooth wear, chipping, damaged restorations, or other dental concerns.
Nightguards do not eliminate every cause of bruxism. Grinding and clenching can have several contributing factors, including sleep-related conditions, medications, stress, and behavioral or developmental factors. Dr. Kim considers the broader clinical picture before recommending an appliance.
Benefits of Custom Nightguards in Apex
Protecting Vulnerable Teeth
A nightguard separates the upper and lower teeth to limit direct contact during sleep. This barrier may help protect teeth and restorations from continued wear or damage associated with grinding.
Fit Based on Individual Needs
coverage, and retention can be selected according to dental development and the specific areas requiring protection.
Monitoring Growth and Tooth Movement
Children and teens require regular fit evaluations because tooth eruption, jaw growth, and orthodontic treatment can change how an appliance fits. Adjustments or replacement may be needed to prevent interference with normal development.
Did You Know…
Research involving children has reported widely varying rates of sleep bruxism because studies use different ages, populations, and diagnostic methods. A systematic review found prevalence estimates ranging from 5.9% to 49.6%, which demonstrates why parent reports, clinical signs, and sleep-related factors must be considered together.
Ready to Schedule
Your Appointment?
Why Choose Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics?
Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics evaluates grinding and clenching within the context of each patient’s growth, dental development, sleep history, and orthodontic needs. Dr. Michael Kim determines whether monitoring, a custom appliance, or referral for additional evaluation is appropriate.
The Custom Nightguard Process
1
Step 1: Bruxism Evaluation
Dr. Kim examines the teeth for wear, fractures, or damaged restorations and evaluates the bite, jaw muscles, and temporomandibular joints. Parents may be asked about grinding sounds, sleep quality, breathing, medications, and morning symptoms.
2
Step 2: Digital Scan or Dental Impression
If a nightguard is appropriate, a digital scan or dental impression is used to create an accurate model of the teeth. The appliance design is selected according to the patient’s age, dental development, bite, and treatment needs.
3
Step 3: Fitting and Monitoring
The completed nightguard is checked for comfort, retention, coverage, and bite contact. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Kim to monitor the appliance for wear and confirm that it continues to fit as teeth erupt or move.
“Grinding in children and teens should be evaluated within the context of dental development, sleep, breathing, medications, and other individual factors. A nightguard can protect vulnerable teeth in selected cases, but it does not address every cause of bruxism. Careful diagnosis and continued monitoring help us determine the most appropriate approach.”
Dr. Michael Kim
Read Verified Reviews From Apex Parents
“My kids have been going to this practice since they were toddlers, and having one doctor who understands their complete dental history and growth patterns has made such a difference. Dr. Kim treats them like they’re his own children and recommends only what’s truly necessary. The convenience of having both their regular checkups and orthodontics in one place has been a game-changer for our family.”
“What impressed me most was how honest the doctor is about treatment recommendations. He explained exactly why each step was needed and never pushed unnecessary procedures. Having someone I trust completely managing both my kids’ dental and orthodontic care gives me peace of mind. The staff is incredibly kind and patient with nervous children.”
“We switched practices specifically because we wanted someone who could handle both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof. The continuity of care is amazing, and our kids actually look forward to their appointments. The whole team treats every patient like family, and the clinical expertise is evident in every interaction.”
Research-Reported Bruxism Findings in Children and Teens
Definite Sleep Bruxism in a Growing Orthodontic Population
60.7%
Highest Pediatric Prevalence Reported in a Systematic Review
49.6%
Sleep Bruxism Reported in a Pediatric Study
32.4%
Probable Sleep Bruxism Among Examined Schoolchildren
27.8%
Sleep-Related Bruxism in Patients Ages 7 to 17 Seeking Orthodontic Care
15%
Sleep Bruxism Among Preschool Children – Approximately
14%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
50%
100%
| Pediatric Bruxism Finding | Verified Percentage | What the Research Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Definite Sleep Bruxism in a Growing Orthodontic Population | 60.7% | A study using two nights of mandibular movement monitoring identified definite sleep bruxism in 60.7% of patients ages seven to 16 who were seeking orthodontic treatment. |
| Highest Pediatric Prevalence Reported in a Systematic Review | 49.6% | A systematic review found that reported childhood sleep bruxism prevalence ranged from 5.9% to 49.6%, reflecting major differences in diagnostic methods and study populations. |
| Sleep Bruxism Reported in a Pediatric Study | 32.4% | A cross-sectional study reported sleep bruxism in 32.4% of the evaluated children based on parent reports and clinical assessment. |
| Probable Sleep Bruxism Among Schoolchildren | 27.8% | A study of 151 schoolchildren identified probable sleep bruxism in 27.8% of participants. |
| Sleep-Related Bruxism in Patients Seeking Orthodontic Care | 15% | Sleep-related bruxism was reported in 15% of patients ages seven to 17 presenting for orthodontic treatment. |
| Sleep Bruxism Among Preschool Children | Approximately 14% | A population-based study reported sleep bruxism in approximately 14% of the evaluated preschool children. |
Sources: Koch R et al., “Prevalence and Risks of Sleep Bruxism in Children and Adolescents Pursuing Orthodontic Treatment,” 2025; Machado E et al., “Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism in Children: A Systematic Review,” Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics, 2014; Clementino MA et al., “The Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism and Associated Factors in Children,” 2017; Lins RML et al., “Probable Sleep Bruxism in Children and Its Relationship With Harmful Oral Habits, Type of Crossbite and Oral Breathing,” Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 2020; Carra MC et al., “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sleep Bruxism and Wake-Time Tooth Clenching in a 7- to 17-Year-Old Population,” European Journal of Oral Sciences, 2011; Vieira-Andrade RG et al., “Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism and Associated Factors in Preschool Children,” Pediatric Dentistry, 2014
These percentages describe bruxism prevalence within different pediatric populations and do not represent nightguard success rates. The studies used different definitions, diagnostic methods, and age groups, so the results should not be directly compared or applied to an individual patient.
Key Findings
Bruxism Requires Individual Evaluation
Grinding sounds alone do not determine whether a child needs treatment. The teeth, bite, symptoms, sleep history, and dental development must also be assessed.
A Nightguard Protects but Does Not Cure
An appliance can separate the teeth and protect vulnerable surfaces, but it does not necessarily stop the muscle activity responsible for grinding or clenching.
Sleep and Breathing Should Be Considered
Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, or other sleep-related concerns may be relevant and can support a recommendation for medical evaluation.
Tooth Wear Has Multiple Causes
Flattened or shortened teeth may be associated with grinding, but erosion, developmental conditions, bite relationships, and normal functional wear must also be considered.
Growth Changes Appliance Fit
Tooth eruption and jaw development can cause a previously comfortable appliance to become tight, loose, or inappropriate.
Orthodontic Treatment Requires Coordination
Active tooth movement can change appliance fit. Nightguard design and timing must be coordinated with the patient’s orthodontic treatment plan.
Protect Your Child’s Teeth From Nighttime Wear
Schedule a bruxism evaluation at Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Apex. Dr. Michael Kim will examine your child’s teeth, bite, jaw muscles, dental development, and reported sleep behaviors to determine whether a custom nightguard, continued monitoring, or additional evaluation is appropriate.
Questions Apex Parents Ask About Nightguards
How can I tell if my child grinds their teeth?
Parents may hear grinding sounds during sleep or notice that the teeth appear flattened or worn. Other possible signs include chipped teeth, morning jaw discomfort, or damaged restorations. Some children have no noticeable symptoms, so a dental examination is needed to assess the teeth and bite.
Does every child who grinds need a nightguard?
No. Grinding can occur during normal development and does not always cause damage or require treatment. Dr. Kim considers the patient’s age, tooth wear, symptoms, dental development, sleep history, and risk of further damage before recommending an appliance.
Can a nightguard stop my child from grinding?
A nightguard is primarily intended to protect the teeth from direct contact. It may not eliminate the muscle activity associated with grinding or clenching. Other contributing factors may need to be evaluated separately.
Can a child wear a nightguard during orthodontic treatment?
It depends on the treatment stage and appliance design. Because the teeth may be actively moving, a closely fitted nightguard could quickly stop fitting or interfere with planned movement. Dr. Kim evaluates the orthodontic treatment plan before recommending an appliance.
How long will a child’s nightguard last?
There is no universal replacement schedule for growing patients. Tooth eruption, jaw growth, orthodontic movement, grinding intensity, and material wear can all affect longevity. The appliance should be checked regularly and replaced when it no longer fits or provides appropriate coverage.
How should a nightguard be cleaned and stored?
The appliance should be rinsed with cool water after use and cleaned according to the instructions provided by the practice. It should dry before being placed in a ventilated case. Hot water and direct heat should be avoided because they can distort the material.