I was pretty nervous about the mouthguard too, kept thinking it'd feel weird or I'd choke on it or something... But honestly, after a week or so, I got used to it.
—yeah, my dentist said the same thing, and knowing I'm protecting my teeth helps me sleep easier."Ignoring teeth grinding isn't great in the long run because it gradually wears down your enamel"
I totally get the anxiety about mouthguards... I put off getting mine for ages because I was convinced I'd gag or something. But then one morning I woke up with a chipped tooth from grinding so hard overnight—talk about a wake-up call.
Yup, learned that the hard way. Honestly, after a few nights of awkwardness, it's second nature now and I sleep way better knowing my teeth aren't slowly being destroyed."Ignoring teeth grinding isn't great in the long run because it gradually wears down your enamel"
I was pretty skeptical about mouthguards too, mostly because I thought it'd feel like sleeping with a hockey puck in my mouth, lol. But honestly, after waking up with jaw pain and headaches for months, I finally caved and got one. First few nights were definitely weird—felt like I was drooling everywhere—but now I barely notice it. And yeah, totally agree with this:
"Ignoring teeth grinding isn't great in the long run because it gradually wears down your enamel"
My dentist showed me pics of worn-down teeth from grinding...not pretty. Glad I didn't wait until I chipped something!
Yeah, glad you brought this up. Lots of people underestimate how much damage grinding can do until they see those scary before-and-after pics at the dentist's office. I've seen patients who've ignored it for years, and trust me, rebuilding worn-down teeth isn't fun (or cheap).
You're right about the mouthguard feeling weird at first—I always tell my patients to expect a few nights of awkwardness and drooling, haha. But usually, after a week or so, most people barely notice it's there. Plus, besides protecting your enamel, it can really help ease tension headaches and jaw soreness from clenching.
One thing I'd add is that stress management can also make a big difference. Teeth grinding often gets worse when you're stressed or anxious. Finding ways to relax—whether that's exercise, meditation, or just unwinding with a good book—can really help reduce the severity over time.
Anyway, glad you're seeing improvements already...your teeth (and wallet) will thank you later!
"One thing I'd add is that stress management can also make a big difference."
That's a good point about stress being a trigger, but I'm curious—does anyone know if teeth grinding can also be caused by things other than stress? I ask because I've always been a grinder, even during times when life feels pretty chill. My dentist mentioned something about bite alignment or jaw structure possibly contributing, but we didn't really dive deep into it. Has anyone else heard similar explanations?
Also, about the mouthguard—I totally get that it'll feel weird at first, but does the type of mouthguard matter much? Like, are the custom-made ones significantly better than the over-the-counter kind, or is it mostly about comfort and fit? Just wondering if it's worth shelling out for the custom one or if a drugstore version could do the trick...
