Jaw exercises are tricky with kids... she thinks it’s just another chore.
Haha, yeah, my son acts like I’m asking him to do his taxes when I suggest jaw stretches. Warm compresses are the only thing he’ll tolerate, probably because it feels like a mini spa treatment. Splints? Forget it. He took his out after five minutes and declared it “the worst thing ever invented.”
Anyone tried those over-the-counter mouth guards you boil and fit yourself? I keep seeing them at the drugstore, but I’m not sure if they’re just a waste of money or actually help. Dentist-made splints are way out of my budget, but I’m nervous about cheap alternatives messing up his bite even more. Would love to hear if anyone’s kid managed to stick with one—mine just ends up chewing on it like it’s gum...
We tried the boil-and-bite mouth guards when my daughter’s jaw started acting up. Honestly, it was kind of a mixed bag. She managed to keep it in overnight a couple times, but most mornings I’d find it on her pillow or chewed up like a dog toy. The fit wasn’t terrible, but it definitely didn’t feel as snug as the one from the dentist’s office (which we couldn’t really afford anyway). I get what you mean about being worried they’ll mess up their bite—our dentist said if the guard isn’t molded right, it could actually make things worse, especially if your kid is still growing.
On the plus side, it seemed to help a little with nighttime clenching, at least for the short time she used it. But yeah, getting kids to stick with any of these things is an uphill battle. Warm compresses are still her favorite too... can’t blame them for picking comfort over plastic in their mouths.
If you do try one, maybe just watch for any changes in his bite or pain levels. That’s what our dentist told us to look out for.
Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of families go through the same thing with those over-the-counter guards. They’re a decent stop-gap, but like you said, they rarely fit as well as something custom. My niece tried one for a while and it always ended up on the nightstand by morning—she hated the taste and said it felt bulky. The dentist warned us about the same bite issues, especially with kids whose jaws are still developing. It’s tough balancing cost and comfort, for sure.
You mentioned warm compresses—those are underrated in my opinion. My own jaw flares up sometimes and heat is usually the first thing I reach for before anything else. Gentle jaw stretches (like opening and closing slowly, or moving side to side) helped me too, but I know not everyone’s up for that, especially kids.
If you notice any bite changes or new pain, definitely worth checking in with the dentist again. But sometimes, just rotating through a few simple home remedies does more good than any gadget.
You’re right about the home remedies sometimes working better than fancy gadgets. My kiddo couldn’t stand the OTC guard either—she called it her “chewy mouth thing” and would spit it out halfway through the night. Warm compresses seem simple, but they really do help, especially when the pain creeps up out of nowhere. I’ve also noticed that stress makes a huge difference—when my son’s more relaxed, his jaw seems less tense. It’s a tricky balance, especially with growing kids, but sounds like you’re handling it thoughtfully.
That “chewy mouth thing” nickname made me laugh—my daughter had a similar reaction and would sneak hers under her pillow instead of wearing it. It’s wild how the simplest stuff, like a warm washcloth, can sometimes take the edge off way better than anything you buy at the pharmacy. Stress definitely ramps everything up too. Sounds like you’re really tuned in to what your kid needs, which isn’t always easy when you’re juggling pain, school, and everything else. Hang in there—it’s a lot, but you’re doing great.
