Teeth Grinding in Lagos: Do You Need a Night Guard? Signs and Costs
Waking up with a sore jaw, headaches, or a partner complaining about grinding sounds at night — these are the hallmarks of bruxism, one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in Lagos dental patients. Left untreated, it can destroy years of dental work and wear your teeth down to stumps. Here’s what to do about it.
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism is the involuntary clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth, most often during sleep (sleep bruxism) but sometimes during the day (awake bruxism). It’s estimated that 8–10% of adults grind their teeth during sleep, though many remain undiagnosed because they don’t know they’re doing it. Stress, anxiety, sleep apnoea, and certain medications are all associated with higher rates of bruxism.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
- Worn, flattened, fractured, or chipped teeth — often noticed first by your dentist on an X-ray or examination
- Morning jaw pain, soreness, or stiffness
- Headaches starting at the temples
- Facial, neck, or shoulder muscle pain
- Tooth sensitivity (exposed dentine from worn enamel)
- Grinding or clenching sounds observed by a partner
- Indentations on the inside of the cheeks from clenching
- Scalloped edges on the tongue from pressure
The Night Guard: What It Is and What It Does
A night guard (occlusal splint) is a custom-fitted acrylic appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth during sleep. It doesn’t stop the grinding habit — but it absorbs and distributes the grinding forces, protecting the tooth enamel, dental restorations, and jaw joints from damage. Think of it as a sacrificial layer that wears down instead of your teeth.
Custom-fitted guards from a dental clinic are far superior to over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards from pharmacies. Ill-fitting stock guards can actually worsen jaw problems or fall out during sleep.
Night Guard Cost in Lagos (2026)
| Guard Type | What It Is | Lagos Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Custom hard acrylic night guard | Lab-fabricated, precise fit | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Custom soft night guard | Flexible, gentler on jaw | ₦50,000 – ₦120,000 |
| Michigan splint (advanced TMJ) | Full-coverage repositioning splint | ₦150,000 – ₦350,000 |
| OTC boil-and-bite (pharmacy) | Generic, not recommended long-term | ₦5,000 – ₦15,000 |
Beyond the Night Guard: Treating the Cause
A night guard is protective, not curative. Addressing the drivers of bruxism improves long-term outcomes:
- Stress management — cognitive behavioural therapy, meditation, and exercise reduce stress-related grinding
- Sleep apnoea treatment — bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing are closely linked; treating one often improves the other
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the masseter muscles — reduces muscle force and grinding intensity for 4–6 months. Available at some Lagos clinics: ₦150,000–₦300,000 per treatment.
- Bite adjustment — if the bite is uneven, correcting it reduces the trigger for clenching
Protect Your Teeth Before the Damage Is Done
A custom night guard from Dovers Dental, Lekki is the most cost-effective dental investment a bruxer can make — protecting veneers, crowns, and natural teeth worth far more than the guard itself. Book your assessment today.
Get a custom night guard at Dovers Dental Clinic, Lekki
Visit our Night Guards page to see full details, or book your appointment online — MDCN-licensed dentists in Lekki Phase 1. Same-day bookings available.
Ready to Book Your Appointment?
Our dentists at Dovers Dental Clinic, Lekki, are here to help.
At Dovers Dental Clinic, fees are quoted before treatment begins so you can plan with confidence.
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Practical Tips You Can Use Today
While you wait for your appointment, keep meals less acidic, rinse with water after sugary drinks, and avoid aggressive scrubbing if your gums are sore. Use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily. If you are in severe pain, swelling, or fever, treat it as urgent and contact an emergency dentist in Lagos rather than waiting.
What Happens at a Dovers Consultation
Your dentist reviews your history, examines your teeth and gums, and explains findings in plain language. You receive a clear plan and a quote before treatment. Many patients combine preventive care such as scaling and polishing with cosmetic or restorative options when appropriate.
FAQs for Teeth Grinding in Lagos: Do You Need a Night Guard? Signs and Costs
How soon should I book? If symptoms are getting worse, book within 24–48 hours. For routine concerns, schedule within the week so small problems do not become expensive ones.
Do you accept walk-ins? We try to accommodate urgent cases the same day when diaries allow. WhatsApp or call ahead so we can prepare for your visit.
Will I know the cost upfront? Yes. We quote before treatment. Preventive scaling starts from ₦40,000 and whitening from ₦50,000; other treatments are priced after examination.
Where are you located? Dovers Dental Clinic is in Lekki Phase 1 with free on-site parking. Patients visit from Ikate, Ajah, Sangotedo, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.
Practical Tips You Can Use Today
While you wait for your appointment, keep meals less acidic, rinse with water after sugary drinks, and avoid aggressive scrubbing if your gums are sore. Use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily. If you are in severe pain, swelling, or fever, treat it as urgent and contact an emergency dentist in Lagos rather than waiting.
What Happens at a Dovers Consultation
Your dentist reviews your history, examines your teeth and gums, and explains findings in plain language. You receive a clear plan and a quote before treatment. Many patients combine preventive care such as scaling and polishing with cosmetic or restorative options when appropriate.
FAQs for Teeth Grinding in Lagos: Do You Need a Night Guard? Signs and Costs
How soon should I book? If symptoms are getting worse, book within 24–48 hours. For routine concerns, schedule within the week so small problems do not become expensive ones.
Do you accept walk-ins? We try to accommodate urgent cases the same day when diaries allow. WhatsApp or call ahead so we can prepare for your visit.
Will I know the cost upfront? Yes. We quote before treatment. Preventive scaling starts from ₦40,000 and whitening from ₦50,000; other treatments are priced after examination.
Where are you located? Dovers Dental Clinic is in Lekki Phase 1 with free on-site parking. Patients visit from Ikate, Ajah, Sangotedo, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.
Book Your Visit at Dovers Dental Clinic
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment online or WhatsApp us on 0805 515 8148. We are in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Fees are quoted before treatment begins — no hidden costs.
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