I was really hesitant too because those guards can be pricey, and honestly, I wondered if it was just another thing dentists push. But after ignoring it for a while, I started waking up with headaches and jaw pain... not fun. Eventually, I caved and got a basic one from the drugstore—way cheaper than the custom ones. It took some getting used to, but it definitely helped ease the soreness. Might be worth trying a cheaper option first if cost is a concern.
I totally get the hesitation about those pricey dentist guards. My kiddo started grinding his teeth at night, and at first, I thought, "Eh, he'll grow out of it." But then he started waking up cranky and complaining about his jaw hurting. I figured it was just typical kid drama until I actually heard him grinding one night—sounded like nails on a chalkboard, seriously creepy stuff.
Anyway, we grabbed one of those drugstore guards too, figuring it was worth a shot before shelling out big bucks at the dentist. It was a bit of a battle getting him to wear it at first—he said it felt like having a hockey puck in his mouth—but after a few nights, he got used to it. Now mornings are way less grumpy, and no more creepy grinding noises from his room at 2 AM. Definitely worth trying the cheaper route first, especially if you're skeptical like I was.
I totally agree with trying the cheaper route first—those dentist-made guards can be pretty steep. But as someone who's dealt with a ton of patients grinding their teeth over the years, I just wanted to add a few things to consider.
A while back, I had a patient—a teenager—whose mom also thought he'd grow out of nighttime grinding. They waited quite a while before doing anything about it. When they finally came in, his teeth had noticeable wear, and he was dealing with some chronic jaw tension and headaches. It wasn't irreversible or anything, but it did take some extra care to get him comfortable again.
The drugstore guards can definitely work well for some folks, especially younger kids who are still growing and changing. They're great as a starting point, mainly because they're affordable and easy to replace if lost or damaged (which happens way more often than you'd think...). But it's also good to keep an eye on how the guard fits over time. Kids' mouths grow fast, and sometimes those store-bought ones can start feeling uncomfortable pretty quickly. If your kid starts complaining again or you notice they're not wearing it regularly, it might be worth checking in with your dentist about something more custom-fitted.
Another thing to keep in mind: sometimes nighttime grinding is related to stress or anxiety. I've noticed that kids who grind their teeth heavily often have other factors going on—school stress, changes at home, or even sleep issues like apnea. Not always, of course, but just something to watch out for.
Anyway, glad the drugstore guard worked out for your kiddo! Sounds like you're already on top of it, but figured I'd throw in my two cents from what I've seen in practice.
My daughter used a drugstore guard for about a year, and it worked pretty well at first. But after a while, she started complaining it felt tight and uncomfortable. Did your patients usually notice discomfort right away or did it creep up slowly?
"But after a while, she started complaining it felt tight and uncomfortable. Did your patients usually notice discomfort right away or did it creep up slowly?"
I've noticed something similar with my own experience and from talking to others. Usually, the discomfort doesn't show up immediately—it's more of a gradual thing. At first, the guard feels fine, maybe even comforting because it's protecting your teeth. But over time, especially with drugstore guards, they can lose their shape or flexibility, making them feel tighter or just plain awkward.
One thing I've found is that drugstore guards, being generic and one-size-fits-all, often don't hold up well in the long term. They might fit decently at first, but as you grind your teeth night after night, the material can compress or warp slightly. After a few months, what used to feel comfortable starts feeling restrictive or irritating. I had a friend who kept using hers way past its prime and ended up with jaw soreness every morning until she finally switched to a custom-fit one from her dentist.
It's also possible your daughter's teeth or bite alignment changed slightly over the year. Even minor shifts can make a previously comfortable guard feel off. Has she had any dental check-ups recently to see if anything's shifted?
Another thought: sometimes, the discomfort isn't just physical but psychological too—like becoming overly aware of something in your mouth once you start noticing it, making it feel worse than it actually is. Could this be part of what's happening with your daughter?
I'm curious if anyone else here has noticed changes in comfort level after prolonged use of these over-the-counter guards...
