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By Joanna M. | Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
If you grind your teeth at night — a condition known as bruxism — a custom night guard is one of the most effective ways to protect your enamel, reduce jaw tension, and wake up without a headache. The NHS rarely covers custom guards for adults, which has pushed many UK buyers towards direct-to-consumer brands. Two names that often come up in this space are Gobguard and NewSmile.
This comparison cuts through the marketing to give you a factual, side-by-side look at how these two UK options stack up on process, materials, price, and suitability.
Gobguard (gobguard.co.uk) is a UK-based direct-to-consumer dental appliance company that manufactures sports mouthguards, night guards, dayguards, and teeth whitening trays. They position themselves as supplying appliances "as supplied to dentists all over the UK" — meaning their guards are made by qualified dental technicians rather than mass-produced offshore.
The ordering process works as follows: you place an order online, receive a putty impression kit by post, follow their emailed instructions to take an impression of your teeth, photograph it for verification, and then return it by post. Once the impression passes quality checks, the finished guard is manufactured and sent to you.
Gobguard offer both soft and hard night guard materials. Soft is described as more comfortable; hard is more durable. They also offer dayguards — a trimmed version designed to be less visible when worn during the day — which is a differentiator not many UK brands offer.
One notable limitation: Gobguard does not publish pricing on their website. You must place an order to receive a quote. This makes direct price comparison difficult for buyers doing upfront research.
NewSmile UK (newsmilelife.co.uk) is part of an international direct-to-consumer dental appliance brand operating across the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. In the UK, they offer both custom clear retainers and custom night guards via a home impression kit model.
The NewSmile night guard is priced at £109 for a pair — one upper and one lower guard — which is significantly less than the £200–£400+ typically charged by private dentists in the UK for a single custom appliance. Like Gobguard, NewSmile sends a home impression kit, you return the mould, and the finished guard is manufactured and delivered.
NewSmile night guards are made from dental-grade materials with thickness options suited to bruxism severity. They also offer custom clear retainers for post-orthodontic patients who need to maintain tooth position as well as protect against grinding.
| Feature | Gobguard | NewSmile UK |
|---|---|---|
| Impression method | Home putty kit | Home impression kit |
| Materials | Soft or hard acrylic | Dental-grade EVA / hard acrylic |
| Published pricing | Not published | £109 per pair |
| Made in UK | Yes | Dental lab |
| Dayguard option | Yes | Night guard only |
| Sports mouthguard | Yes | No |
| Retainer option | No | Yes (Essix retainer) |
Both brands use a postal impression kit model — you take the moulds yourself at home rather than visiting a dentist or scanning clinic. This is the key factor that keeps costs significantly below high-street dental prices.
With Gobguard, you receive a putty impression material. They email instructions and ask for photos of the completed impression for quality verification before you return it. They offer a free replacement set of putty if the impression doesn't pass their check — a useful safeguard that reduces wasted postage.
With NewSmile UK, the impression kit is dispatched quickly after ordering. Take upper and lower impressions, return them, and the guards are manufactured to the exact shape of your teeth. We ship your finished night guard as soon as production is complete.
Not all night guards are equally suited to every grinder. Light grinders may do well with a softer, more cushioning material; heavy grinders typically need a harder, more rigid guard that resists wear and provides structural stability.
Price transparency is where these two brands diverge most clearly. NewSmile UK is upfront: £109 for a pair. You can see the full cost before clicking "Buy".
Gobguard does not list prices on their website. This is not unusual for bespoke dental appliance providers, but it means you cannot compare their cost to alternatives without entering the ordering funnel first. For buyers who want to know the price before committing, NewSmile UK's £109 pair is the clear answer.
Stop grinding through your teeth — and your budget
NewSmile UK custom night guards are £109 for a pair. Made from dental-grade material, fitted to your exact impressions — no dentist appointment needed.
Gobguard is worth considering if you specifically want a daytime guard (their Dayguard product), need a sports mouthguard alongside a bruxism guard, or strongly prefer UK-manufactured appliances. The pre-postage photo verification step is also a thoughtful quality safeguard.
NewSmile UK is the better choice if you want:
Whichever guard you choose, proper care extends its life considerably. Rinse with cold water after each use, allow it to air-dry, and store it in its case. For a deeper clean, the Petal Ultrasonic Cleaner paired with Petal Cleaning Pods removes bacteria and biofilm without abrasive scrubbing that degrades the guard material over time. Avoid hot or boiling water, which warps thermoplastic appliances.
Yes. Gobguard is UK-based and manufactures its dental appliances using qualified UK dental technicians, operating as a direct-to-consumer brand without requiring dental practice visits.
Private dentists typically charge £200–£500+ for a single custom night guard. Direct-to-consumer online providers are significantly less expensive — NewSmile UK charges £109 for a pair. Gobguard does not publish pricing on their website.
NHS coverage for custom bruxism guards is limited and inconsistent. Most NHS dentists do not provide them routinely for adult patients. Online providers like NewSmile UK offer a considerably more affordable alternative to private dental fees.
Soft guards compress under sustained grinding pressure and may actually worsen clenching in heavy grinders. Hard or dual-laminate guards are generally recommended for moderate-to-heavy bruxism. Consult your dentist if you are unsure of your grinding severity.
Modern home impression putty, used correctly, captures sufficient detail for a well-fitting custom appliance. Both Gobguard and NewSmile UK have built their businesses on this model. Following the instructions carefully is the critical success factor.
By Joanna M. | Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
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