I ignored mine for a while too, thinking it wasn't a big deal. But eventually, I started noticing my teeth felt sensitive and even chipped a tiny bit off one tooth... freaked me out enough to finally get checked. Dentist said I'd been grinding pretty badly and recommended the custom guard. Honestly, I was hesitant—pricey and seemed uncomfortable—but after a few weeks of adjusting, it really helped. Headaches eased up, jaw felt less tense in the mornings. Still worry sometimes about long-term damage from waiting so long though... guess it's better late than never?
"Honestly, I was hesitant—pricey and seemed uncomfortable—but after a few weeks of adjusting, it really helped."
Totally relate to this. Custom guards can be pricey, but I've found decent relief with a drugstore boil-and-bite guard. Not perfect, but definitely better than nothing... especially on a tight budget. Glad you're feeling better now!
I get the hesitation around custom guards—price is definitely a factor, and they're not exactly comfy at first. But just a quick heads-up: boil-and-bite guards can help temporarily, but keep an eye on them. I've seen patients chew through those things surprisingly fast, and sometimes they don't offer enough protection long-term. If you're noticing soreness or headaches creeping back, it might be worth revisiting the custom option down the road.
Ignoring grinding altogether can lead to bigger issues later, like cracked teeth or jaw pain (trust me, I've seen some rough cases). Not trying to scare anyone, just something to keep in mind. Glad you're finding relief though... grinding can be such a sneaky problem.
Totally agree on the boil-and-bite guards wearing out fast—I went through mine quicker than expected. Honestly, the custom guard felt awkward at first, but after a week or two, I barely noticed it. Plus, my morning headaches pretty much disappeared. Ignoring grinding definitely isn't worth the risk... cracked teeth sound like a nightmare I'd rather avoid. Better safe than sorry, right?
I've seen patients who ignored grinding for years, and trust me, cracked teeth aren't even the worst of it. Had one guy whose jaw pain got so bad he could barely chew comfortably. Custom guards might feel weird initially, but they're worth every penny long-term.
