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 op...
I had a similar experience. Tried the pharmacy guard first, and it was okay-ish for a bit, but eventually my dentist pointed out some uneven wear patterns on my teeth. Custom guard solved that pretty quick—lesson learned, I guess...cheap isn't always cheaper in the long run.
Totally agree about the custom guard being worth it. The pharmacy ones are kinda hit-or-miss—mine kept shifting around and drove me nuts. But I'm curious if anyone noticed other improvements besides just teeth stuff? Like, did your sleep quality or jaw tension get noticeably better after switching guards? I'm guessing there's probably more going on there than just protecting enamel...
I noticed a huge difference in jaw tension after switching to a custom guard. Before, I'd wake up feeling like I'd been clenching all night, but now my jaw feels way more relaxed in the morning. Sleep quality improved a bit too...maybe less tossing around? Definitely worth trying imo.
Custom guards can definitely help, but they're not always the magic bullet people hope for. I've had patients who swear by them, while others find minimal relief. Sometimes, jaw tension and grinding can be symptoms of underlying stress or even sleep posture issues. If you're still tossing around a bit, it might be worth exploring relaxation techniques or adjusting your sleeping position. Guards are great, but they're just one piece of the puzzle...and sometimes the puzzle is annoyingly complicated.
"Sometimes, jaw tension and grinding can be symptoms of underlying stress or even sleep posture issues."
Interesting point about sleep posture—never really thought about that angle. Do you think changing pillows or mattresses could actually make a noticeable difference? I've tried a custom guard myself, and while it definitely helped protect my teeth, the tension was still there in the morning. Maybe it's time to finally try some relaxation techniques...or just accept my fate as a nighttime grinder, haha.
