My dentist joked once that I must've been part beaver because I chewed through mouthguards so fast. Stress definitely made it worse—when my kids were teenagers, I swear I went through guards every few months. It eased up after retirement, thankfully. Hang in there, though...sounds like you're already doing a great job managing it. Sometimes these things just take time to settle down.
"Stress definitely made it worse—when my kids were teenagers, I swear I went through guards every few months."
You're spot-on about stress being a big factor. But honestly, the type of mouthguard can make a huge difference too. Custom-fitted ones from your dentist, although pricier upfront, usually last way longer and provide better protection than the store-bought kind. I used to chew through mine pretty fast until I switched to a thicker, dentist-made guard. Might be worth looking into if you're still having issues...
I've thought about getting a dentist-made one, but does the thickness ever bother you when you're trying to sleep? I'm worried it might feel bulky or uncomfortable...
I totally get why you're concerned about the thickness—honestly, I was worried about that too at first. When I got mine from the dentist, it did feel a bit weird the first couple of nights. It wasn't super bulky, but I definitely noticed it was there. After maybe three or four nights though, I completely stopped noticing it. Now it's just part of my bedtime routine. Actually, the custom-fit ones feel way less intrusive than the drugstore ones I've tried before (those were awful...felt like sleeping with a hockey puck in my mouth, lol). Dentist-made guards are shaped exactly to your teeth, so they're slimmer and more comfortable overall.
If you're already considering it, I'd say go for it. A few awkward nights at first are totally worth it for the long-term comfort and protection you'll get. Plus, they last pretty long—mine's going on two years now and still looks good as new.
"Plus, they last pretty long—mine's going on two years now and still looks good as new."
Two years is pretty impressive! Mine usually lasts around a year and a half, maybe slightly less. I think it depends a lot on how much you grind or clench your teeth at night. I'm a pretty heavy grinder (unfortunately), so my dentist told me to expect a bit more wear and tear than average. But even with that, the custom-fit ones are definitely worth it. I remember trying those drugstore guards too, and yeah... "hockey puck" is exactly right, lol. I couldn't even get through one night with those things.
One thing I've noticed is that the clearer, thinner mouthguards seem to wear down a bit faster for me than the thicker ones. But honestly, I'd still rather replace them slightly more often than deal with something bulky and uncomfortable every night. Comfort is key when you're trying to get a good night's sleep.
I'm curious though—has anyone else noticed if certain cleaning methods help their guard last longer? My dentist recommended just brushing it gently with toothpaste and occasionally soaking it in denture cleaner tablets. I've been doing that, but I'm always open to new tips or tricks if anyone has them.
