Does anyone wear a mouth guard?

[Pilotbaby]

Hello everyone,
About a month ago, my dentist mentioned that I tiny cracks in my teeth and it looks like I have been grinding them. She recommended I try an over the counter night guard just on top before considering spending a lot of money on the custom one. I purchased some over the counter and after an initial challenge getting it to fit, finally figured it out. The bulkiness of it didn't really bother me and I wore it with no problem for about two weeks. Then I started waking up with my teeth feeling sore and like my bite had shifted. My first look online said this really can't happen with a soft plastic guard. However, a closer look showed that they actually can change your bite (especially the hard ones) and in some rare cases, require surgery to correct. I had a second box so I made a new mold and it seemed to be a better fit but the first morning, I woke up and definitely noticed a big difference in my bite almost all day long until it seemed to someone "settle" back into place. I tried it one more night with the same result. I now have an appointment with my dentist but they told me over the phone they use a hard/soft one. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. I think these are the ones even more likely to shift your bite and since I had a problem with the soft one, I am worried. I feel like I need to do something so I don't end up with a root canal but I'm concerned about damaging my teeth. The receptionist tells me they fit 5-10 per week (seems like a big money maker to me). Does anyone have experience with these? TIA

[jgenie]

I have worn one for years. 15+ years I think. Mine is custom and hard plastic. I had braces. I know my teeth shift if I skip wearing it for more than a couple of nights. I don’t notice a change in my bite though.

[mackmama]

I have worn one for years. I recommend custom. I get the thinnest one because the thick ones interfere with my sleep.

[Mamma2004]

I have worn one since I was 21 years old, same reasons. I literally would not want to go a single night without it now.

I highly recommend custom, even with the high price tag. My first one lasted 10+ years, then eventually broke (it was the hard kind and cracked on one side). I then got a soft one that lasted a long time. I now have a thin and flexible one, but on both top AND bottom. Much better for me.

No bite shifts whatsoever, and no more TMJ, headaches, or worsening of my teeth. Good luck!

[klwa]

I'm another one with a custom one. I think it might be what you're describing as hard outside, soft inside. It's been wonderful for me, but it did take some getting used to. I haven't noticed any issues with bite since wearing it (probably 2 years now?)

[carolinamama]

I wear a custom mouthguard. I've had it for quite a long time so even though they are expensive, I think you can get your money's worth if you take care of it. No problems with feeling my bite change.

[hillview]

I have a custom one -- have had for a couple of years. I LOVE it and feel a lot better when I wake up -- jaw hurts less

[RedSuedeShoes]

I have one I've worn for almost 30 years!! I woke up one morning when I was 15 and couldn't open my mouth more than a tiny sliver. My childhood dentist fitted me for a mouth guard, and I've worn it ever since. It definitely helps, though I've still had jaw tension/pain. A chiropractor helped me a lot in the last 7 years, but I still wear the guard at night.