"I've been hesitant to try them myself, worrying about potential damage or weird aftertaste, but your experience is reassuring."
I totally get your hesitation—I felt exactly the same way at first. My daughter's mouthguard always seemed a bit delicate, so I worried denture tablets might be too harsh. But after reading similar experiences here, I finally tried it, and honestly, it's been great. No weird taste or damage so far...just that oddly satisfying fizzing you mentioned. Lifespan-wise, we're still figuring it out too—seems like comfort is the best indicator for us as well.
No weird taste or damage so far...just that oddly satisfying fizzing you mentioned. Lifespan-wise, we're still figuring it out too—seems like comfort is the best indicator for us as well.
I hear you on the fizzing—it's oddly satisfying, isn't it? But just a heads-up from my own experience: denture tablets worked fine for me at first, but after a while, I noticed my mouthguard started feeling a bit rougher. Nothing drastic, but enough to make me switch back to gentle soap and water. Could just be my particular mouthguard material though...everyone's mileage varies. Comfort definitely seems like the best gauge overall.
Totally agree about comfort being key. Mine lasted about two years before it started feeling a bit off...noticed some tiny cracks forming. But yeah, if yours still feels good, you're probably fine for now.
Mine usually lasts around two years too, but honestly, I'd be a bit cautious about waiting until it feels off. Tiny cracks might seem harmless at first, but they can harbor bacteria or even weaken the guard's structure over time. I learned this the hard way—thought mine was still good because it felt comfy, but ended up with some gum irritation that my dentist said was probably due to bacteria buildup in those tiny cracks.
I totally get wanting to stretch the lifespan though, especially since custom mouthguards aren't exactly cheap. One thing I've found helpful is giving it a thorough inspection every few months under good lighting. Sometimes you'll spot tiny issues before you actually feel them. Also, regular deep cleaning with denture tablets or a mild antibacterial solution can help prolong its life and keep things hygienic.
If budget's a concern (it definitely is for me), you might even consider alternating between a custom guard and a decent-quality over-the-counter one. I did that for a while—used my custom one most nights, but occasionally swapped in the cheaper one to give the custom guard a break. It seemed to help mine last longer without compromising comfort too much.
Just something to think about... everyone's mileage varies, of course. But better safe than sorry when it comes to oral health, right?
Mine usually lasts about two years too, but honestly, I think I'm probably pushing my luck. I once had a guard that looked totally fine, but when I finally replaced it, the difference in comfort was night and day. Didn't realize how worn down it'd gotten until I tried the new one. Makes me wonder—do you guys think there's a noticeable difference between custom guards and the higher-end OTC ones? I've been tempted to switch just to save some cash...
