In this article
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nermeen Khazan, BDS — an AHPRA-registered dental practitioner, for clinical accuracy.
A cracked or broken night guard is genuinely a problem, not a cosmetic annoyance. If you're a heavy enough grinder to break one, you're exactly the person who needs consistent protection the most. Here's what to do right now.
First: Stop Wearing It
A guard with a crack, a split, or a broken edge has lost the even surface that made it protective in the first place. Sharp edges can cut your gums, cheek, or tongue during sleep, and a structurally compromised guard no longer distributes grinding forces evenly. Take it out and don't put it back in until you've got a replacement sorted.
Why Night Guards Crack or Break
The most common cause is simply heavy grinding over time — the material fatigues and eventually gives out, particularly with soft guards which have a shorter lifespan than hard or mixed options to begin with. Heat exposure (a hot car, a hot wash, direct sun) can also weaken the material and make it more prone to cracking under normal grinding pressure. Age matters too: a guard well past its expected lifespan is simply more brittle than a newer one.
Can It Be Repaired?
Generally, no. Night guard materials, whether soft, hard, or mixed, don't bond well with adhesives, and any DIY repair attempt tends to leave an uneven surface that fits poorly and can harbour bacteria. Replacement is the practical option in almost every case.
Getting a Replacement
Order a new custom guard as soon as you can, particularly if you're a confirmed heavy grinder — every night without protection is a night your teeth are taking the full force of grinding directly. Jawology's custom night guards are ordered from home using an included impression kit, reviewed by Australian-registered dental professionals, and delivered within 2 to 3 weeks. If you know you're a heavy grinder, a hard guard is generally the more durable choice going forward, since it's built to withstand exactly the kind of forces that broke your last one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I glue my night guard back together?
No. Household glues aren't safe for the mouth, and dental adhesives aren't designed for this kind of repair. Even a seemingly successful glue job leaves an uneven, bacteria-prone surface. Order a replacement instead.
Is it dangerous to wear a cracked night guard?
Yes, potentially. Sharp or broken edges can cut soft tissue in your mouth during sleep, and a compromised guard no longer distributes grinding forces evenly, which can put uneven pressure on individual teeth. Stop wearing it and get a replacement.
Why does my night guard keep breaking?
Repeated breakage usually points to grinding severity that's beyond what your current guard type can handle. If you're breaking through soft or mixed guards regularly, a hard guard is likely a better long-term fit for how heavily you grind.
How long does a replacement night guard take?
With Jawology's at-home impression kit, typically 2 to 3 weeks from ordering to delivery. A 3D scan at a partner clinic can be faster since there's no postage time involved.
Stop Grinding. Start Protecting.
Order your custom Jawology night guard from $270 — hundreds cheaper than at the dentist. Soft, mixed or hard, all arch options.
Order Your Night Guard
