"Eventually, I got a second opinion from another dentist who explained that even small alignment issues can make standard guards uncomfortable."
Yeah, totally relatable. My first night guard felt like I was biting into a chunk of plastic all night, super uncomfortable and awkward. Thought it was just me being picky, but turns out the fit really matters. Once I switched to a custom-made one, it was night and day—actually woke up without jaw soreness for the first time in years. Maybe yours just isn't tailored enough for your bite?
I get what you're saying, but honestly, even my custom guard took a while to feel right. At first, it still felt kinda bulky and weird...took me a good week or two before I stopped noticing it. Maybe it's partly just getting used to something new in your mouth overnight?
"Maybe it's partly just getting used to something new in your mouth overnight?"
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. When I first got mine, it felt like I had a hockey puck in my mouth—super awkward and distracting. Took me a solid couple weeks before it stopped bugging me. But now I'm wondering...even if you do get used to it, does it actually help with the grinding long-term, or is it mostly just protecting your teeth from damage? Curious if anyone's noticed their grinding habits actually improving over time.
I totally get what you're saying about getting used to it, but honestly, for me, the guard never really reduced the grinding itself. It definitely saved my teeth from damage, but the habit stayed pretty consistent...maybe it's different for everyone though?
I've noticed something similar myself. When I first started using a night guard, I hoped it would eventually train me out of grinding altogether, but honestly, that didn't happen. The guard definitely protected my teeth—no more waking up with sore jaws or headaches—but the grinding itself stuck around pretty stubbornly. From what I've read and discussed with my dentist, night guards aren't really designed to stop the habit itself; they're more about damage control. Grinding often has deeper roots like stress or sleep patterns, so addressing those underlying issues might be necessary if you're looking to reduce the habit itself. For me personally, incorporating relaxation techniques before bed and adjusting my sleep routine helped somewhat...though admittedly, it's still a work in progress. Seems like everyone's experience varies quite a bit with this issue.
