I was kinda skeptical about the guard at first too, honestly thought it'd feel super weird and uncomfortable. But after reading your experience, maybe I should reconsider. My dentist mentioned similar stuff about tooth damage, but I sorta brushed it off thinking it was just an upsell or something. Now I'm wondering if I've been ignoring something important... Did you notice any difference in headaches or sleep quality after using the guard? I've heard grinding can mess with sleep patterns too, but wasn't sure if that's legit or just internet talk. Anyway, glad it's working out for you—makes me think it's worth giving it a shot myself.
I was in a similar boat—thought the dentist was just pushing an expensive add-on. But after some research, turns out there's solid evidence linking grinding to disrupted sleep and headaches. I started using a guard about six months ago, and while I didn't notice immediate miracles, gradually my jaw tension eased up and morning headaches became less frequent. Sleep quality improved subtly too—I wasn't waking up randomly as much. It's not like night-and-day difference, but definitely noticeable over time.
One thing though, guards from the dentist can be pricey. I opted for an over-the-counter one first just to test if I'd tolerate it comfortably before investing in a custom one. Curious if anyone else has tried OTC guards first...did they work for you long-term or did you end up needing the custom fit anyway?
I went down the OTC guard route initially too, mostly because I wasn't convinced it was worth shelling out the cash for a custom one right away. At first, the OTC guards seemed alright—definitely took the edge off the jaw soreness and headaches. But after a couple months, I noticed I was chewing through them pretty quickly (apparently I'm an aggressive grinder, lol) and waking up feeling like I'd been gnawing on rubber all night. Eventually, I bit the bullet and got the custom guard from my dentist, and honestly...it was a noticeable upgrade.
The custom one fit way more comfortably, didn't slip around, and lasted way longer. Plus, since it was molded specifically to my teeth, I could actually sleep without constantly being aware of it. It wasn't cheap, but the comfort and durability were worth it for me. Everyone's different though—if your OTC one is comfy and holding up fine, no need to rush into a custom. But if you start noticing discomfort or frequent replacements, might be time to consider the upgrade.
"Eventually, I bit the bullet and got the custom guard from my dentist, and honestly...it was a noticeable upgrade."
Did your dentist mention anything about long-term tooth damage if you ignored grinding? My kid grinds pretty badly, and I'm wondering if it's worth getting ahead of it now...
My dentist actually brought this up with me when I first started noticing my grinding issues. She mentioned that long-term grinding can definitely wear down tooth enamel, and once that's gone, it's gone for good. She also said it could lead to sensitivity, cracks, and even fractures in severe cases. I remember her saying something like "it's easier to prevent damage than fix it later," which stuck with me.
My nephew had a similar issue when he was younger—he'd grind his teeth so loudly at night you could literally hear it from the hallway. My sister-in-law was hesitant about getting him a guard because she thought he'd outgrow it. But after a year or two, his dentist pointed out noticeable wear on his back teeth. They ended up getting him a custom guard, and it made a huge difference. He sleeps better now too, probably because he's not clenching as much.
Has your kid's dentist mentioned anything specific about how severe the grinding is? Sometimes they can tell by looking at the teeth if it's mild or more serious. Also, have you noticed if your kid complains about headaches or jaw soreness in the mornings? That was another thing my dentist asked me about, since grinding can cause tension in your jaw muscles.
I know custom guards aren't cheap, but if it prevents bigger dental issues down the road, it might be worth considering sooner rather than later. Have you tried any temporary solutions yet, like those over-the-counter guards? Curious if those helped at all or if they were just uncomfortable...
