Ugh, the splint life... I had to wear one for about eight months after my front tooth started wiggling (thanks, night grinding). Eating sandwiches was a joke—everything got cut up like I was five again. My dentist kept saying “patience,” but honestly, I was convinced it’d never feel normal.
Did anyone else notice their gums getting super sore with the splint on? Mine felt puffy all the time, but apparently that’s just part of the deal. Also, is it just me or do those night guards taste weird at first? Maybe I’m just picky.
For folks who went from splint to night guard, did your tooth ever feel loose again, or did it stay put? I’m always paranoid the second I stop wearing something, my teeth will start doing the cha-cha again.
Yeah, splints are a whole experience. I had one glued on for almost a year and my gums definitely got puffy, especially around the edges. Dentist said to just keep flossing, but it always felt a bit sore. As for the taste of night guards—totally agree, there’s something plasticky about them at first but I got used to it after a week or two. My tooth stayed put after switching, but I still catch myself checking in the mirror, just in case. Old habits die hard.
Ugh, I totally get the constant mirror-checking. Even after my braces came off and I got my retainer, I was convinced my teeth were shifting every time I felt a weird pressure or twinge. The soreness around the splint was the worst part for me too—sometimes it made me worry I was making things worse by flossing so much, but my dentist kept saying just stick with it. It’s weird how something that’s supposed to help can make you so hyper-aware of every little thing in your mouth. You’re not alone in feeling anxious about it... I still tap my teeth with my tongue sometimes just to make sure they’re not moving.
Mirror-checking is basically my new hobby since I got my retainer. I keep thinking, “Wait, was that tooth always at that angle?” It’s so easy to spiral—especially when the splint aches or the gums feel weird after flossing. My dentist keeps reassuring me that it’s all part of the process, but I swear every twinge makes me nervous. I’ve also caught myself tapping my teeth with my tongue way too much... Glad I’m not the only one! It’s wild how much attention we end up giving our mouths after ortho stuff.
That mirror-checking thing is real... I did it nonstop when I first got my retainer, too. My teeth felt wobbly for weeks and I was convinced something was off every time they ached or shifted. What helped me was sticking to the basics: gentle brushing, flossing (even though it felt weird at first), and trying not to poke or prod with my tongue—easier said than done. The dentist kept telling me the gums and ligaments just need time to tighten up again after all the movement. It’s wild how much more you notice every tiny sensation once you start paying attention.
