Mine usually lasts about a year, give or take. I’m a pretty heavy grinder though, so I tend to chew through them faster than most. The online ones hold up decently, but I do notice they get a bit looser over time. Still beats paying the dentist’s price every time…
That sounds pretty familiar, honestly. I grind my teeth a lot too, and I get maybe a year out of my mouthguards—sometimes a little less if I’m stressed and clenching more than usual. The fit definitely gets looser after a while, but I’ve found that soaking them in cold water helps them tighten up just a bit. Not perfect, but it buys me some extra time.
I totally get what you mean about the price difference. My dentist quoted me something wild for a custom guard, and I just couldn’t justify it with how fast I go through them. The online ones aren’t perfect, but for the cost, they do the job well enough. There’s always that tiny worry in the back of my mind about whether the fit is “good enough,” but so far, no jaw pain or extra dental issues, so I’ll take my chances.
It’s kind of reassuring to hear someone else has the same experience. Makes me feel less guilty for not splurging at the dentist every year...
There’s always that tiny worry in the back of my mind about whether the fit is “good enough,” but so far, no jaw pain or extra dental issues, so I’ll take my chances.
I hear you on that. It’s kind of a gamble, isn’t it? I’ve tried both custom and online guards, and honestly, the custom one did feel sturdier, but it also wore down faster than I expected—maybe because I clench really hard at night. Have you ever noticed any small cracks or rough edges developing before you swap yours out? That’s usually my cue to start looking for a replacement, even if it hasn’t been a full year.
Custom guards definitely seem to take a beating if you’re a heavy clencher. I’ve noticed the same thing—mine gets these tiny hairline cracks along the molars after about 8-9 months, and sometimes I’ll run my tongue along the edge and catch a spot that feels rougher than it did before. That’s usually when I start thinking about a replacement, even if it’s technically “still working.” Sometimes I’ll try smoothing it down with a nail file, but that only buys me a little time.
I’m curious—do you get your guards checked at your regular dental visits? I always tell people it’s worth bringing them in, even if they look okay. Sometimes there are stress points or wear patterns that aren’t obvious unless someone’s looking for them. Plus, sometimes the bite can shift just a bit over time, especially if you’ve had any dental work done since the guard was made.
One thing I’ve noticed with some patients is that they’ll keep using a guard even after it starts to lose its snug fit, just because it “mostly works.” But if it’s loose or you notice yourself waking up with more tension or soreness than usual, that’s a sign the guard isn’t doing its job anymore. Have you ever had one start to feel loose before you saw visible damage?
The cost of custom guards can be annoying, though—I get why people want to stretch them as long as possible. I wish insurance covered replacements more often. For me, I usually get about a year out of mine, maybe a little less if I’m under more stress and grinding harder. Sometimes I wonder if switching materials would make a difference, but honestly, I think it’s just how hard I clench.
Do you notice your jaw feels different when your guard is wearing out? Or do you mostly catch it by sight/feel?
Sometimes I’ll try smoothing it down with a nail file, but that only buys me a little time.
Been there—my last guard looked like it had gone through a woodchipper after about 10 months. I always think the material might make a difference, but honestly, I suspect my jaw muscles could probably bend steel at this point. I do bring mine to the dentist, but they usually just say “yep, you’re still grinding.” Ever tried one of those dual-laminate guards? I’m skeptical they’d last much longer.
