I had a similar experience with the guard feeling super weird at first, but after about two weeks, it started feeling normal enough that I didn't notice it much anymore. And yeah, definitely noticed fewer headaches and less jaw soreness once I got used to it. Before the guard, I'd wake up feeling like I'd been clenching my jaw all night—really uncomfortable.
About dental issues from grinding...I haven't personally had cracked teeth or anything severe yet (thankfully!), but my dentist did point out some enamel wear during my last checkup. She said if I hadn't started using the guard, it could've gotten worse pretty quickly. Honestly, the thought of expensive dental repairs was enough motivation for me to stick with it, even though the custom guard wasn't exactly cheap either.
Speaking of cost, has anyone found decent budget-friendly alternatives to custom guards? I've seen some DIY moldable ones online but haven't tried them yet...wondering if they're worth a shot or just a waste of money.
"Speaking of cost, has anyone found decent budget-friendly alternatives to custom guards? I've seen some DIY moldable ones online but haven't tried them yet...wondering if they're worth a shot or just a waste of money."
I've actually tried a couple of those DIY moldable guards myself, and honestly, results were pretty mixed. The first one I got was super cheap—like under $20—and it felt bulky and uncomfortable no matter how many times I remolded it. But then I decided to give another brand a shot (a bit pricier, around $40), and surprisingly, it worked out way better. It took me a few tries to get the molding right (tip: follow the instructions exactly, don't wing it like I did at first...), but once I nailed it, it felt pretty comfy.
That said, even the better DIY guard didn't feel quite as snug or secure as my custom one from the dentist. If your grinding isn't too severe though, it might be worth experimenting with one of the mid-range DIY options before shelling out for another expensive custom guard. Just keep an eye on how your jaw feels in the morning—if you're still sore or getting headaches, probably best not to skimp too much on this one.
I get your point about DIY guards being hit-or-miss, but honestly, I've had pretty good luck with the cheaper ones. Picked one up for around $15 at the drugstore and it did the trick—no headaches or jaw pain since. Sure, it's not as sleek as a dentist-made one, but if your grinding isn't severe, it might be enough. I'd say it's worth trying a budget option first before spending more...you might get lucky like I did.
I've had similar luck with drugstore guards myself. Used one for years, actually, and it definitely helped ease the jaw tension. But just a heads-up from experience—if your grinding gets worse or you start noticing tooth sensitivity, don't ignore it too long. I waited a bit too much before finally getting a custom guard, and by then I'd already worn down some enamel...not fun at all. Budget options can work great, but keep an eye on things just in case.
"Budget options can work great, but keep an eye on things just in case."
Yeah, totally agree with this. I used to grind my teeth pretty badly and thought I could just tough it out with a cheap guard from the pharmacy. It did help for a while, but eventually I started waking up with headaches and jaw soreness again. My dentist explained that sometimes the drugstore guards aren't quite thick enough or don't fit snugly enough to fully protect your teeth.
I finally bit the bullet and got a custom guard made, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The difference was noticeable almost immediately—less tension, fewer headaches, and no more weird tooth sensitivity. If you're noticing things getting worse, it might be worth getting a second opinion from your dentist. Better safe than sorry...trust me, enamel doesn't grow back!
