How often do you actually swap out your night guard?

Now I’m thinking yearly swaps might not be overkill, especially since I’m not always as diligent with cleaning as I should be.

I hear you - my “cleaning routine” is more like a quick rinse if I’m half-awake. Honestly, I’ve stretched mine to almost two years before swapping and nothing wild happened... but maybe I’ve just been lucky? Those micro-cracks are sneaky though. Anyone else ever try the vinegar soak trick, or am I just marinating plastic for fun?

I’ve pushed mine past a year too, mostly out of laziness if I’m honest. The vinegar soak does seem to help with funk, but I always wonder if it’s breaking down the plastic faster. Ever notice any weird taste after soaking?

I’ve definitely noticed a weird aftertaste when I do the vinegar soak - kind of like I’m chewing on a pickle-flavored mouthguard. Not sure if it’s breaking down the plastic or just lingering vinegar, but it’s not exactly minty fresh. Honestly, I’ve kept mine for over a year too... partly because I forget, partly because I’m cheap. Haven’t had any cracks yet, but maybe I’ll regret that one day.

Man, I totally get the pickle-mouth thing. I tried the vinegar soak once and it was like my mouthguard went full deli mode. Ended up just rinsing it a million times and hoping for the best. Mine’s pushing a year too - no cracks yet, just some battle scars from nightly grinding. Honestly, if it ain’t falling apart, I say keep riding it. Those replacements aren’t cheap, and I’d rather spend that cash on gadgets anyway.

Honestly, if it ain’t falling apart, I say keep riding it. Those replacements aren’t cheap, and I’d rather spend that cash on gadgets anyway.

Right there with you. I’m almost at the two-year mark on mine - still holding up, just a little cloudy and scratched. Dentist said as long as it fits and isn’t cracked, it’s fine. I do a quick brush and sometimes a baking soda soak to keep the funk down. Not paying for a new one unless I really have to... those things are way overpriced.

I get a little paranoid about germs, so I was convinced I’d need a new one after a year. But my dentist basically laughed and said, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” I still can’t help but check mine all the time for cracks. It’s a little gross-looking now, but I soak it in denture cleaner every couple weeks and that seems to help. Honestly, the price for a new one is just wild... I’d rather deal with a few scratches than shell out for another.

Honestly, the price for a new one is just wild... I’d rather deal with a few scratches than shell out for another.

Totally get where you’re coming from. The cost is ridiculous for what’s basically a chunk of plastic. I’m the same way with checking for cracks or weird smells - kind of obsessive, honestly. My dentist also said it’s fine as long as there aren’t big cracks or rough edges. I use denture cleaner tablets too and they seem to keep it fresh enough. Not pretty, but it does the job.

Honestly, I relate to being a little paranoid about cracks or weird smells. The price tag for a replacement is just hard to justify unless something’s really wrong. My dentist said the same - minor scratches aren’t a big deal, but anything sharp or broken is a different story. Denture tablets have worked for me too, and I’m not too fussed about the looks as long as it’s clean. It’s reassuring to hear others are in the same boat... makes me feel less weird about hanging onto mine for so long.

- Totally get being cautious about cracks or weird smells.
- I’ve only swapped mine once in three years... felt guilty but it still worked fine.
- My dentist said as long as it’s not cutting my mouth, it’s okay to keep using.
- Denture tablets are a lifesaver for cleaning - never thought to try those until recently.
- Feels less wasteful to hang onto it unless there’s a real problem, honestly.

felt guilty but it still worked fine. - My dentist said as long as it’s not cutting my mouth, it’s okay to keep using.

I get the “feels less wasteful to hang onto it unless there’s a real problem, honestly,” but I’ve had one get so worn down it stopped fitting right and started messing with my bite. Didn’t even notice at first. Sometimes they look fine but aren’t doing their job anymore. Just something to watch for - especially if you grind a lot.

Sometimes they look fine but aren’t doing their job anymore.

Totally get where you’re coming from. I’m always tempted to stretch mine out as long as possible - those things aren’t cheap. But I had one that looked okay and then realized it was barely staying in at night... My jaw started feeling weird, and that’s when I caved and replaced it. If it still fits well and isn’t rough, I say keep using it, but yeah, gotta watch for those subtle changes.

That’s the tricky part, right? Mine always LOOK fine until I notice they’re not fitting as snug or I wake up with a sore jaw. How do you tell if it’s worn out - like, do you just go by feel, or is there a trick to spotting issues early?

How do you tell if it’s worn out - like, do you just go by feel, or is there a trick to spotting issues early?

I mostly go by feel, honestly. If it’s not hugging my teeth right or I start waking up with jaw pain again, that’s my sign. Sometimes I’ll notice tiny cracks or rough spots, but usually it’s the fit first. Anyone else’s get weirdly yellow even with cleaning, or is that just me?

If it’s not hugging my teeth right or I start waking up with jaw pain again, that’s my sign.

That’s exactly how I know it’s time. Trust your instincts - if it feels off or you’re waking up sore, don’t second-guess yourself. As for the yellowing, you’re not alone... mine does that too, no matter how careful I am. It’s frustrating, but honestly, a little discoloration doesn’t mean it’s not working. The fit is what really matters.

The fit is what really matters.

That makes sense, but I always wonder if there’s some kind of “expiration date” on these things. Like, even if the fit feels okay, could it be getting too worn down to protect my teeth? Mine gets those little bite marks after a few months. Is that normal wear and tear, or should I be worried about replacing it sooner?

Mine gets those little bite marks after a few months. Is that normal wear and tear, or should I be worried about replacing it sooner?

I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I get those bite marks too, and sometimes I catch myself thinking, “Is this thing still doing its job, or am I just gnawing through plastic for fun?” I figure some wear is normal, but if it starts to feel thin or gets cracks, that’s probably a red flag. Anyone else notice theirs getting kind of floppy after a while, or is that just me overthinking it?

Mine gets those little dents too, and I’ve always assumed it’s just normal from grinding at night. After about six months, mine usually feels a bit loose around the molars, which makes me wonder if it’s still effective or just sort of hanging out in my mouth. I tend to push it until there’s an actual crack or it feels flimsy - maybe not the best strategy, but replacing them gets expensive. I do notice the plastic thins out a lot before that point though.

Honestly, I do the same thing - hang onto mine until it’s really on its last legs. It’s tough when replacements cost so much. As long as it’s not cracked or falling apart, I figure it’s still doing something. Those dents are just proof it’s working, right?

It’s tough when replacements cost so much.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I used to keep mine forever, too, especially when replacements felt like such a splurge. But I noticed after a while that the little dents and wear spots made it less comfortable, and my jaw started feeling sore again. Those dents are kind of like “battle scars,” but sometimes they mean it’s not protecting as well as it used to. Still, I waited longer than I probably should’ve... it’s hard to justify the cost when it looks mostly fine.

I tend to hold onto mine until I notice it’s actually affecting my sleep or my jaw starts acting up again. Last time, I realized the edges were digging into my gums a bit, but visually it still looked okay. Do you think the material wears down even if it doesn’t look super damaged? Sometimes I wonder if I’m just being cheap or if it’s actually fine to stretch it out longer.