I remember that plastic wrap feeling all too well, lol. I went through a couple of the cheap store-bought ones too, and honestly, they barely lasted me two months before I chewed right through them. Eventually bit the bullet and got a custom one from my dentist. Mine felt pretty bulky at first too—I actually woke up a few times in the first week just to take it out—but after a while, it became second nature. I've had mine about three years now, and it's still going strong. Definitely way more durable than the drugstore ones.
One thing I noticed is that regular cleaning helps a lot with longevity. I just brush mine gently every morning when I brush my teeth, and occasionally soak it in denture cleaner tablets to keep it fresh. Seems to help prevent cracking or discoloration.
Anyway, totally get your hesitation about the cost...it's not cheap for sure. But for me, at least, it's made a huge difference in comfort and durability over time. Hope you find something that works out!
I totally relate to that initial bulky feeling you mentioned. When I first got mine, I honestly thought I'd never get used to it. It felt like trying to sleep with a hockey puck in my mouth, haha. But after a couple of weeks, it just became part of my nightly routine, and now I barely notice it's there.
You're spot-on about the cleaning too—I've found that gently brushing mine every morning really helps keep it fresh and clear. I haven't tried denture tablets yet, but that's actually a great tip...might give that a shot soon.
And yeah, the cost is definitely steep at first glance. But when you factor in how often you'd replace the cheaper ones, it kind of balances out over time. Mine's lasted almost four years now without any major issues, so I'd say it's been worth it for me personally.
Hope things work out well for you—it's always nice when you finally find something comfortable and durable enough to stick with long-term.
Four years is pretty impressive. Mine usually lasts around two years tops before it starts looking pretty worn down and getting a bit uncomfortable. Maybe I'm grinding harder than most people...who knows, haha.
Interesting you mentioned denture tablets—I tried them once and found they left a weird aftertaste, but maybe I used the wrong brand or something. Do you think certain cleaning methods might actually help extend the lifespan of the guard? I've just been brushing mine gently with toothpaste every morning, but now I'm wondering if there's a better approach.
Also, curious if anyone's noticed differences in longevity between custom-made guards from dentists and those DIY boil-and-bite types. I've only ever used the dentist-made ones, but I've heard mixed things about the cheaper ones.
Four years is definitely impressive—I'm just starting out with my first dentist-made guard and honestly, I'd be thrilled if mine lasted even two years. I've heard toothpaste can be a bit abrasive, so maybe switching to a gentle soap or specialized cleaner could help yours last longer? Also, from what I've read, the boil-and-bite ones tend to wear out quicker, so you're probably doing the right thing sticking with the dentist-made type. Fingers crossed mine holds up as well as yours!
"I've heard toothpaste can be a bit abrasive, so maybe switching to a gentle soap or specialized cleaner could help yours last longer?"
Yeah, toothpaste can definitely wear it down faster. I learned that the hard way with my first dentist-made guard—lasted barely two years because I scrubbed it like crazy with regular toothpaste. Switched to a mild dish soap (sounds weird, I know) and now I'm on year five with my current one. Honestly, gentle cleaning makes all the difference...and saves money in the long run. Good luck with yours!
