What's the difference between a Cheeky night guard and an over-the-counter night guard?

Cheeky offers three types of night guards completely custom to your mouth: Soft, Hard and Hybrid guards. All are made from FDA-approved dental grade materials designed for comfort and durability — unlike one-size-fits-all over-the-counter options.

Is a Cheeky night guard any different than the one my dentist would make for me?

The Cheeky night guard is custom to your mouth, just like the one your dentist would make for you. We are simply giving you an inexpensive custom night guard as an affordable alternative to the over-the-counter options on the market.

Does Cheeky accept FSA/HSA?

Yes we do! Cheeky products are eligible for purchase with FSA and HSA funds.

What is your return policy?

We offer a 30-night full money back guarantee. If you would like a refund, you'll need to ship back your night guard or impression kit using our return program at get-cheeky.loopreturns.com. A $17 handling fee applies to opened products.

Do you offer refunds or exchanges?

We offer refunds and exchanges within 30 days of purchase. To be eligible, items must be returned using our returns link at get-cheeky.loopreturns.com. Accessory products (LED whitening kit, Water Flosser, Sonic Toothbrush) must be returned unused and unopened.

What happens if I send back a bad impression?

No worries! We will send you a second impression kit free of charge.

Is the Cheeky night guard BPA free?

Yes, all of our products are BPA free and made from FDA-approved dental grade materials.

How does the Cheeky Rewards program work?

Cheeky Rewards is a cash back program that automatically rewards you for every order you place. Orders 1–3 earn 3% cash back, with higher tiers as you continue. Rewards never expire and can be applied at checkout.

Is there an unsubscribing fee?

No. Here at Cheeky, we believe in our product and do not believe in holding our subscribers hostage. You can unsubscribe at any time and there is no fee.

Why do I need a new night guard every three months?

Your night guard collects bacteria during and after every use, putting you at risk of illness or bad breath. We recommend replacing your night guard every three months for optimal hygiene and performance.

Night Guard for TMJ: Does It Actually Help?

TMJ pain has a particular quality to it. It shows up as jaw soreness, ear pain that isn't actually your ear, headaches that radiate from your temple, a jaw that clicks or locks. Sometimes all of the above on the same morning. It's distracting, it's persistent, and it has a habit of being misdiagnosed as something else for months before anyone connects the dots.

If you've been told you have TMJ disorder, or you suspect you might, a night guard is usually one of the first things recommended. But will it actually help? And what kind of guard do you need?

Here's what you actually need to know.

What Is TMJ (And What's the Difference Between TMJ and TMD)?

Technically, TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, one on each side just in front of your ears. Everyone has a TMJ. The joint itself isn't the disorder.

TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, the umbrella term for any dysfunction involving that joint. When people say 'I have TMJ,' they almost always mean TMD. Both terms get used interchangeably in everyday conversation, which is fine. Just know that what you're dealing with is a disorder of the joint, not the joint itself.

What Causes TMJ Disorder?

It's often a combination of things:

Bruxism. Teeth grinding is one of the most common causes. The constant force of grinding puts enormous stress on the joint over time, and many people develop TMD as a direct consequence of untreated bruxism.
Jaw misalignment. If your bite is off, your joint compensates over time, sometimes leading to inflammation and chronic pain.
Injury. A hit to the jaw, whiplash, or other trauma can directly affect the joint structure.
Arthritis. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ.
Stress. Stress leads to clenching, clenching leads to joint stress, joint stress leads to pain. It's a cycle that's extremely common and easy to miss.

This is why TMD and bruxism so often go together. They share causes and each makes the other worse.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

TMD symptoms can be surprisingly varied, which is part of why it gets misdiagnosed:

Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning after a night of grinding
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
A jaw that locks in an open or closed position
Ear pain or a sensation of fullness in the ears, not an infection, even though it feels like one
Headaches, particularly at the temples
Facial pain that's hard to pinpoint
Neck and shoulder tension
Difficulty chewing, or a bite that feels slightly off

If you have several of these together, particularly the jaw clicking combined with morning soreness and headaches, it's worth getting evaluated.

Does a Night Guard Actually Help TMJ?

For most people with mild to moderate TMD, particularly when the disorder is connected to bruxism or clenching, yes. Here's why.

A custom night guard works by creating a stable, even biting surface that your teeth contact consistently. This reduces the uneven stress on the joint that builds up when you grind unevenly night after night. It also prevents the extreme clenching movements that put maximum strain on the TMJ during sleep, which is when most damage accumulates because you have no conscious control over what your jaw is doing.

The result for most people with bruxism-related TMD: reduced morning jaw pain, fewer headaches, and over time, less progression of the disorder. Many Cheeky customers specifically order their guard for TMJ relief and notice improvement within the first few weeks of consistent use.

What Kind of Guard Works Best for TMJ?

This depends on your individual situation, and it's one of the reasons Cheeky offers six different guard configurations rather than a one-size-fits-all option.

For mild TMD alongside light grinding, a softer guard provides cushioning and joint relief without excess bulk. For more significant grinding that's driving the TMJ pain, a harder or hybrid guard offers better long-term protection because it won't compress and break down as quickly under sustained pressure. Our quiz walks you through exactly which thickness is right for your grinding pattern and symptoms.

The critical thing is that the guard is custom-fitted to your exact bite. An over-the-counter boil-and-bite guard can actually worsen TMJ symptoms by creating uneven contact points that add new stress to the joint. A guard made from your own dental impressions creates even contact across the whole bite surface, which is what the joint actually needs.

What a Night Guard Can't Do for TMJ

A night guard is a protective and symptom-managing tool. It's not a cure for the underlying structural causes of TMD.

If your TMD involves significant joint damage, disc displacement, or a bite problem that requires correction, a guard alone won't fix those things. It will help with pain and prevent further grinding damage, but you may also benefit from jaw physical therapy, targeted exercises, or in some cases a referral to a specialist.

The good news is that for the majority of people whose TMD is driven primarily by grinding and clenching, a well-fitted custom guard makes a genuine, noticeable difference. It's a logical and effective first step.

Other Things That Help TMJ Alongside a Night Guard

Jaw stretching and physical therapy. Specific exercises for the masseter and temporalis muscles reduce tension and improve joint mobility.
Heat therapy. A warm compress on the jaw for 10 to 15 minutes before bed can significantly reduce overnight tension.
Stress management. Clenching is often a stress response, and treating the stress source reduces the clenching.
Avoiding hard foods when the joint is inflamed. Chewy or tough foods that require extreme jaw force should be limited during flare-ups.
Mouth tape. Nasal breathing during sleep reduces the sleep disruptions that can trigger grinding events, addressing TMD from another angle.

TMJ disorder is manageable. Most people who take it seriously, protecting the joint at night, working on the contributing causes, and staying consistent, see real improvement over time. A Cheeky custom night guard is where that process starts for a lot of people, and for good reason.

Custom night guards designed for bruxism and TMJ relief. Starting at $95 with free shipping. Shop at getcheeky.com

By Mykhailo Panasiuk