How wearing a custom night guard for six months stopped my morning jaw soreness

Dental Care & Oral Health
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I wanted to share a quick update on my experience with a custom night guard. For years, I woke up with a dull ache in my jaw and the occasional tension headache that would linger until lunch. My dentist noticed the wear on my molars and suggested a professional guard, which I initially resisted because of the $400 price tag.

I finally bit the bullet last summer. The first two weeks were definitely an adjustment; it felt bulky and I found myself taking it out in my sleep without realizing it. However, once I got used to the fit, the results were undeniable. I no longer wake up with that “tight” feeling in my face, and the clicking in my jaw when I chew breakfast has completely vanished.

If you are on the fence about the cost, I can honestly say it has been worth every penny for the comfort alone. It beats taking ibuprofen every morning just to get through the early hours.

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I had the exact same experience! The price is steep but it saves you so much money on cracked crowns later on.

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What do you use to clean yours? I find mine gets a bit cloudy after a few weeks.

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So glad it is working for you. It really is a game changer for sleep quality.

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For anyone looking at the cost, check if your dental insurance covers a portion of it. Mine covered 50% because the dentist coded it as medically necessary for bruxism.

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I tried the store-bought ones first and they just made my bite feel weird. I might have to talk to my dentist about a custom one now.

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I’ve been wearing mine for ten years now. I’m on my third one. You don’t realize how much you grind until you see the grooves worn into the plastic!

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To the person asking about cleaning: I use those effervescent denture tablets once a week and just plain soap and water every morning. Keeps it clear.

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Just make sure you keep it in the case. My golden retriever thought mine was a very expensive chew toy!

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Thanks for the update, this is very encouraging.

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Is yours the hard acrylic type or the soft squishy kind? My dentist mentioned there are different materials.

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Misty, the hard ones are usually better for heavy grinders. The soft ones can actually encourage some people to chew on them more in their sleep.

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It’s amazing how much dental health affects our overall well-being. No more headaches is a huge win.

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