"My son complains now and then about his being uncomfortable or bulky..."
Totally relate to this—my daughter had the same issue. Switching to a custom guard made a huge difference comfort-wise, but yeah, growth spurts are tricky. Maybe ask your dentist about flexible options? Hang in there...
I've been considering a custom guard myself, but I'm worried about how often I'd need replacements—especially if they're pricey. Did your daughter's custom guard last longer than the standard ones, or was it about the same lifespan?
I've had both custom and standard guards, and honestly, the custom one lasted me way longer. My dentist joked that I must be grinding through steel at night, but even with my superhero-level grinding skills, the custom guard held up pretty well—almost two years compared to about 6 months for the cheap drugstore ones. Yeah, the upfront cost stings a bit, but I think it balances out over time since you're not replacing it constantly. Plus, waking up without jaw pain is kinda priceless...or at least worth a few extra bucks. I'd say go for it if you can swing it financially; your teeth (and wallet) might thank you later.
"waking up without jaw pain is kinda priceless...or at least worth a few extra bucks."
I agree, comfort really does outweigh the cost in these cases. Out of curiosity, has anyone noticed if certain brands or materials of custom guards tend to last longer? Mine usually holds up around 18 months, give or take.
I'm about to get my first custom guard next week and honestly, reading this thread makes me feel a bit better about the cost. But now I'm wondering...is 18 months typical? I was kinda hoping it'd last longer for the price, lol. Do you guys think grinding severity affects lifespan much? Or am I just overthinking this whole thing (as usual)?
