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

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?

Totally get what you mean. I had the same issue with boil-and-bite guards - the fit was better than the bulky store ones, but I always felt like I was wearing a retainer from middle school. Breathing wasn’t really a problem for me, but talking? Forget it. I’d sound like I had a mouthful of marshmallows.

I do think it’s just how these over-the-counter guards are made - they have to fit a bunch of different mouths, so there’s always extra plastic. The only time I got something that actually felt “right” was when my dentist made a custom one (expensive, but way thinner and less awkward). Not saying that’s the only way, but it did make a difference for me.

Honestly, I wish there was a middle ground that didn’t cost so much or feel so clunky. The DIY ones are better than nothing, but they never really disappear in your mouth, you know?

- Same deal here - no matter how carefully I mold them, there’s always that chunky feeling.
- Dentist-made ones are crazy expensive, but honestly, they’re the only ones that don’t make me drool or lisp.
- Tried trimming a DIY guard once... ended up making it worse.
- Wish someone would invent a thin, cheap, actually comfortable option. Until then, I just deal with it.

I’ve had the same problem for years. The dentist-made guard fits better, but it still feels bulky to me and I get nervous I’ll choke on it in my sleep. The cheaper ones from the store always made my jaw sore. I tried shaving one down too, but then it just dug into my gums and made things worse. Honestly, I just end up skipping it half the time... not ideal, but I can’t get used to that plastic feeling.

I totally get what you mean about the dentist-made ones still feeling huge - I had one that made me feel like I was wearing a retainer from high school all over again. It took me months to get used to it, and honestly, I still wake up some nights and toss it out halfway through. My dentist did say there are thinner materials, but insurance didn’t cover the “fancy” type. Ever tried those super slim ones? I’m curious if they’re actually less annoying or just another gimmick.

My dentist did say there are thinner materials, but insurance didn’t cover the “fancy” type. Ever tried those super slim ones?

I haven’t tried the ultra-thin ones, but I’ve looked into them a lot. From what I read, some are made from this hard-but-flexible acrylic, and they’re supposed to be less bulky. But I wonder if durability’s an issue - like, if you grind a lot, do they wear out faster? Anyone notice that? I get the feeling insurance just covers the basic thick ones because they last longer, but maybe comfort’s worth paying extra for...