I totally get what you mean about the “mouthful of plastic” feeling—my first night guard was one of those thick, basic ones insurance covers. At first, I could barely close my mouth and I kept waking up feeling like I’d been chewing on a hockey puck all night. Eventually, I got used to it, but honestly, it never really felt comfortable.
I actually did look into the thinner ones after a friend raved about hers. They’re definitely pricier (insurance didn’t even blink at the cost), but she swears by them for comfort. My dentist mentioned the same thing you did—thinner means less bulky, but maybe not as tough if you’re a heavy grinder. For me, the thought of shelling out extra for something that might wear out faster was kind of a dealbreaker.
If you’re grinding hard, I guess there’s always that trade-off between comfort and durability. Personally, I just stick with the chunky version because it lasts, but sometimes I wish I’d tried the slim kind just once... Maybe one day if there’s a good sale or something.
Haha, I call mine “the mouth brick.” I’m with you—those thick guards are like wearing a retainer from the 90s. I’ve looked at the slim ones too, but my wallet just laughs at me. Has anyone actually had a thin one last more than a year if you grind hard? I’m curious if it’s worth splurging, or if it’s just throwing money away for a few months of comfort...
Totally get where you’re coming from—those chunky guards are brutal. I went for a thinner one last year because I was desperate for something less bulky, but honestly, it only made it about 8 months before I chewed right through it. Still, those months were way more comfortable, and my jaw felt better in the mornings. If money’s tight, it’s a tough call... but for me, the break from “mouth brick” misery was worth it, even if just for a bit.
I get the appeal of a thinner guard, but I actually had the opposite experience. I tried one of those super slim ones a couple years back, and yeah, it was way less noticeable at first. But after a while, my jaw started feeling sore again—almost like it wasn’t giving enough support or something. Plus, I ended up biting through it in maybe six months, which felt like a waste since my insurance only covered one per year.
Honestly, the chunky ones are annoying (feels like you’re sleeping with a Lego in your mouth), but for me they’ve held up better and my dentist said they protect against grinding more effectively. Maybe it depends on how hard you clench or grind at night? I guess it’s a trade-off between comfort and durability, but I’d rather deal with some discomfort than risk messing up my teeth or jaw long-term. That said, if someone finds a thin guard that actually lasts, I’d love to hear about it...
Plus, I ended up biting through it in maybe six months, which felt like a waste since my insurance only covered one per year. Honestly, the chunky ones are annoying (feels like you’re sleeping wi...
Interesting—my dentist actually recommended a dual-layer guard for me, which is thin on the inside but has a harder outer shell. It’s not as bulky as the chunky ones, but it hasn’t worn through yet either. I do wonder if the soreness you felt with the thin one was because it didn’t fit snugly enough? Or maybe it’s just about how much force you’re putting on it at night...
