The life span of a guard varies from patient to patient. With good care and maintenance, your guard can last for many years. For patients who are heavy grinders, their night guards will begin to show signs of wear and tear much sooner. Make sure to bring your guard to your regular check up appointments so we can clean it professionally for you. Eventually a guard will need to be replaced if it cracks or the damage affects its overall integrity. Some patients may also elect to replace the guard sooner for hygienic reasons.