Real life: Mouthguard for teeth grinding

[amalthia]

Hi,

I was hoping for advice on whether or not I should pay 157 dollars for a dentist custom fit night guard or try an off the shelf night guard? Has anyone on my flist had experience with either?

I'd appreciate any and all help,
Thanks!

Comments

[batdina]

Dentist, definitely. I tried the one size fits all version and couldn't keep it in my mouth. The one from the dentist is, of course, uniquely fitted to my mouth so it stays in easily.

[amalthia]

I may go with this recommendation. The dental guards I see at Walgreens look huge.

[sholio]

My husband uses a custom mouthguard. He's been using it for about a year and it's probably going to be a long-term thing, but it seems to fit him really well; it never falls out and I usually can't even tell when he's got it in. I guess I think it'd depend on if you expect to be using it for awhile, because the cheap one might be okay for a short term or just to try it out, but the custom one is probably a good investment if you're going to be using it long-term.

[amalthia]

Sounds like I should pony up the money and get something that is good quality. I suspect my teeth grinding is a long term thing since I've been doing it at least 12 years.

[princessofgeeks]

I have a new in the box one I bought at walgreens for $25 and never used. The previous one that I wore out worked great.

I can mail it to you if you like. Then you can try it for free before you shell out the big bucks. PM me.

[minxy]

I have a custom mouth guard that I have worn for 10 years. I am not kidding about that, it has really lasted. For me, it's made a big difference, so it may be that you get what you pay for there. I never tried the OTC ones, though.

[amalthia]

Sounds like I should look into buying a good quality mouth guard. From what you and others have said it's a good investment. :)

[treewishes]

I used a OTC sports guards ($20) and it was okay, and then my dentist convinced me I needed the really expensive one. I truthfully don't see any difference. But obviously YMMV.

[mllesatine]

Hi

I had a dentist made mouthgard when I was 15/16 and was told to use it at night. I used it regularly for a few months, it was okay/comfortable to wear, but a bit iffy when it was lying around and when I put it in.
I still tend to press my teeth together when I'm stressed-out today and I believe that stress was also the cause of my teeth pressing back then so I don't think the guard actually prevented me from doing it but it made me more aware of the problem.

I have no experience with other types of guards.

[mllesatine]

No other dentist has ever asked me if I grind my teeth so the issue was resolved (I did have headaches back then from the grinding/pressing).

[amalthia]

I think the mouth guards aren't meant to stop people from grinding teeth, just protect teeth from the damage.