Why does every night guard feel like a mouthful of plastic?

Custom or not, I think some folks (kids or adults) just never get used to that bulk.

Totally get where you’re coming from. Even with a custom fit, some people just find night guards super awkward. My own kid would try to “accidentally” leave hers on the bathroom counter every night... It’s not just your family! The lisp in the morning is pretty classic too. Sometimes it helps to check if the edges can be adjusted a bit - some dentists can trim them down for more comfort. But yeah, for some folks, it never feels natural and that’s just how it goes.

I hear you on the lisp - mine’s more of a “marble mouth” in the mornings. I’ve had both bulky and slim ones over the years, and honestly, even the thinnest still feels weird at first. My dentist once shaved off a bit around the gumline, which helped, but it never totally disappears. Guess some of us just notice every little change in our mouths...

Totally get what you mean about noticing every tiny change - I'm the same way. Even after months with my current guard, there's always a weird sensation at first. Have you ever tried those boil-and-bite ones? I wonder if the fit is any better or just different awkwardness...

Yeah, I’ve tried the boil-and-bite ones from the drugstore. Honestly, they felt a bit bulkier to me, but the fit was more customized than the one-size-fits-all types. Still took a while to get used to, though. The awkwardness just shifts around, I guess.

Still took a while to get used to, though. The awkwardness just shifts around, I guess.

That’s pretty much my experience too. The boil-and-bite ones are definitely a step up from the stock guards, but I always feel like they’re a bit too thick. Did you notice any difference in how easy it was to talk or breathe with them? For me, it seems like even the “custom” fit still leaves a lot of extra material in my mouth... Maybe that’s just the nature of these DIY guards?