I totally get the hockey puck thing, lol. Those store-bought ones are usually way too bulky and awkward—been there, done that. Honestly, though, once you get used to the custom guard, it feels pretty natural. Took me maybe a week or two to stop noticing it completely. Plus, waking up without jaw pain or headaches makes it sooo worth the adjustment period. You're making the right call getting it sorted now rather than later...your teeth (and sleep!) will thank you down the line.
Yeah, those store-bought guards are basically like trying to sleep with a mouthful of Legos...been there too, haha. Honestly, ignoring grinding isn't great—I tried that route and ended up cracking a tooth. Not fun (or cheap). Custom guards seem weird at first, but after a bit you barely notice them. Stick with it, you're definitely making the smarter move getting ahead of it now.
Ugh yeah, cracked tooth club member here too...fun times, right? 😅 I dragged my feet on getting a custom guard for way too long, thinking it'd feel like sleeping with hockey gear in my mouth. Turns out, once you get used to it, it's way less annoying than the store-bought ones. Honestly, I'd rather deal with the awkwardness of a custom guard for a few nights than another dentist bill. You're definitely on the right track. Hang in there!
Did you find the custom guard really made that much difference compared to the store-bought ones? I've been using one of those cheap pharmacy guards for a while now, and honestly, it feels like chewing on a flip-flop half the night. But I keep wondering if the custom ones are actually worth the extra cash. Did your dentist do a mold or something, or was it one of those digital scan things? Also, how long did it take you to get used to sleeping with it? I'm a pretty restless sleeper, so I'm skeptical about anything bulky in my mouth overnight. But yeah, cracked teeth are no joke... learned that the hard way myself.
"honestly, it feels like chewing on a flip-flop half the night."
Haha, that's exactly how a lot of my patients describe those pharmacy guards! You're definitely not alone there. From what I've seen, custom guards can make a huge difference. Because they're molded specifically to your teeth (usually through traditional molds or digital scans—both work great, though digital tends to be quicker and less messy), they fit snugly and comfortably, making them easier to tolerate overnight.
Most people I've talked to say they adjust within a week or two. Initially, it's normal to feel a bit weird sleeping with something new in your mouth, especially if you're restless. But after a short adjustment period, many find the custom guard becomes second nature. Plus, since they're thinner and less bulky, you might even forget it's there after a while.
And you're right about cracked teeth—I've seen patients deal with some pretty painful (and expensive) repairs from nighttime grinding. Investing in prevention usually pays off big-time down the road...
