Hey, I can understand how that frugality mentality can be tough to shake. I struggle with it sometimes too.
What I came here to say, though, was you can get a custom made mouthguard for like $150 on Amazon. It’s made by the same type of lab that your dentist would send it off to to get it made.
How do I know? My dentist wanted to charge me like $650 cause insurance wouldn’t cover a replacement after my first one was old and nasty. Frugal me said heck no and found one that was just as good for a fraction of the cost. FSA covered it too so it was more like $75 :).
Not sure if I can link to a specific product, but PM me if you want the name of it.
EDIT: I’ve gotten tons of PMs for the mouth guard I got from Amazon so I’m gonna say it’s the one by J&S Labs and hope that’s not against forum rules. Who knew mouth guards were so popular ����♂️?
https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Mouth-Guard-Lower/dp/B0769GHPRX
There’s a lower and an upper guard you can buy. I got the upper.
Now we’re all a little closer to FI with perfect teeth to go with it ��.
Exact same thing your dentist will make.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/
Wife has TMJ. We spent the money on one from the dentist for it to get lost after 6 months. Tried the above from Amazon. My wife has said it is the exact same thing she had.
You make a mold just like the dentist does. You send your mold back and they make a custom mouth guard thats the same quality that you'd get if you went to the dentist. I have a feeling dentists send molds off to these same companies to make mouth guards for them.
FYI: There are labs that cut out the dentist as the middle man and can make you custom night guards for half the price. I did one through Amazon for $130 and have been very happy with it.
I grind through mine pretty hard and it helped save me some $.
Let me make your life!
I used to (and occasionally still do) get really bad canker sores. We're talking inch wide, scar the inside of your mouth pain engines that lasted for weeks.
Nothing worked. Kanka? Yeah, it'd make me feel better for a half hour, then the pain is back. Oralgel goes right in the trash. I worked in a pharmacy, and I tried literally everything.
Then about three years ago during my annual "Oh god this hurts is there anything new on the market that might help" I found a reference to Oralmedic.
The short version, it is uses a chemical desiccant (its basically an acid) at the end of a q-tip to burn the ever loving shit out of whatever it is that is causing your canker sore, and leaves a film over it that prevents further damage. It stings a bit more than the sore itself for about 2-5 seconds, and then that's it. Your sore will start to feel better almost immediately, won't start stinging again and will heal faster. The first time I used one I went from not being able to talk due to pain to feeling mildly inconvenienced by it over the course of a two hour drive.
It has randomized control trials backing it up as effective, and I can sing its praises with the caveat that you must use it as instructed. Double tapping an already burned sore can and will cause damage, so do not fuck around or you may find out. They're like ~$20-30 for a box of three and I cannot recommend them enough to anyone.
Let me make your life!
I used to (and occasionally still do) get really bad canker sores. We're talking inch wide, scar the inside of your mouth pain engines that lasted for weeks.
Nothing worked. Kanka? Yeah, it'd make me feel better for a half hour, then the pain is back. Oralgel goes right in the trash. I worked in a pharmacy, and I tried literally everything.
Then about three years ago during my annual "Oh god this hurts is there anything new on the market that might help" I found a reference to Oralmedic.
The short version, it is uses a chemical desiccant (its basically an acid) at the end of a q-tip to burn the ever loving shit out of whatever it is that is causing your canker sore, and leaves a film over it that prevents further damage. It stings a bit more than the sore itself for about 2-5 seconds, and then that's it. Your sore will start to feel better almost immediately, won't start stinging again and will heal faster. The first time I used one I went from not being able to talk due to pain to feeling mildly inconvenienced by it over the course of a two hour drive.
It has randomized control trials backing it up as effective, and I can sing its praises with the caveat that you must use it as instructed. Double tapping an already burned sore can and will cause damage, so do not fuck around or you may find out. They're like ~$20-30 for a box of three and I cannot recommend them enough to anyone.
Wife has TMJ and she was told to get one. We got one from the dentist and spent to much. Wife lost it after a few months. Second one we ordered from Amazon. It was the exact same quality as what the dentist made. I swear the dentist just sends it to these same companies to make. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/
Along with the suggestions below to shop around the price, there is great company on Amazon that will send you a mold kit and then after you send it back they send you a mouthguard and your mold back for future use.
https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Mouth-Guard-Lower/dp/B0769GHPRX/
It isn't available in the US market without an Rx, you have two options. You can spend $$$ and buy the Irish/EU one on amazon like I did, you'll get in 3 or 4 days in the US.
Or you can spend $ and buy the one distributed out of of Hong Kong from an ebay seller.
The ironic thing is they're both made in the US!
The only issue I had with the hong kong version is the shipping would have taken up to 2 weeks, bu I have some on order now to keep on hand for next time.
$20 a dose is stupid expensive.
The other option is to find a GOOD local compounding pharmacy. Chain stores, even the one that offer compounding, have been awful in my experience.
Just wanted to throw this product out there for anyone who deals with canker sores (as I get them a lot (like 5+ a month)). These are a life saver; one time use on each sore in your mouth and the pain is gone in literally seconds. Promise! I’ve tried everything — magic mouthwash, peroxide mouthwash, alum powder, numbing agents. It costs a bit, but it’s pennies compared to the pain canker sores creates without it.
Oralmedic Mouth Ulcer and Canker Sore Treatment, Instant Pain Relief - Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015X5ZW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_15DQJN679ZG4CNB1HF9Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'm on board with that amount! If you're close to losing your sanity get yourself some debacterol or oralmedic. Chemically cauterize those hell spawn. Good luck!
UGH that one looks sooooo painful!!!! 🥺 Debactoral or oralmedic !!!!!!!
Oralmedic Mouth Ulcer and Canker Sore Treatment, Instant Pain Relief - Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015X5ZW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TRPA2A69G19CEGBTX9AB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Link to basically what I have, not sure why my dentist called it a chewy but he did say to use it like what you have. I like it, it seats the trays and is kind of soothing lol.
Damn. That looks painful.
I have not tried it myself, but you can try Oralmedic.
Keep in mind, this chemically cauterizes the sore, so it will hurt like hell, but the good folks on this sub recommend it--I'm paraphrasing, but the word is that once you get past the initial burn, the pain stops and the sore is gone almost the next day.
Have you tried Oralmedic? It’s literally the only thing that’s ever stopped my canker sores in it’s tracks. Definitely a game changer. Hurts like hell for 10-30 seconds. Swells up for a few hours. Pain-free within like 15 mins give or take.
You’re so welcome. I hope it works for you in the short term anyway. I’ve had to use this type in a pinch when I’ve gone on trips and forgot to pack my guard: https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2 they work ok but not nearly as good or comfortable as The Doctors one. Just have to really follow the instructions AND give yourself time to get used to wearing it.
They make “one size” mouth guards that might work? I haven’t tried them with braces, so I can’t speak to how well all the extra gear fits in ones mouth though. I once bought like a 30 pack at CVS, but here’s an example. Night Guards
A dentist said the same thing to me.. except he was trying to sell me an expensive surgery instead.
I found a different solution. These are dirt cheap and each one lasts me months https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TD23W2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I wanted to share the following here just in case anyone needed the information. We couldn't afford a mouth guard because out of pocket was going to be $500. But the lab that I linked sends you the mould kit to do yourself and then you send it back to them. They make the bite guard (we went with 3mm thick for each of us) and send it back to you and they are really good about fixing issues if there is an issue with the mould or something. This is $130 for one bite guard. (We bought one for each of us.) For my partner, this was a must have because she grinds at night while she's sleeping and was waking up with head pain.
And we do use CBD too. That does help in a lot of ways with the chronic illness and mental health stuff that we deal with.
I've said this elsewhere in this thread. Amazon sells the exact same mouth guard your dentist makes. The dentist my wife went to told us they have to send off the molds to get them made. I swear its the same company below.
I got this mouthguard several years ago and it’s been great.
It was also suggested to me from a dentist to use one hot and one cold ice pack on my jaw for 4 minutes, switching them every 30 seconds. I did this for a bit but I can’t say if it helped.
This is the mouthguard I use. I tried a few styles before settling on this one. I've been using them for years. I used to wear threw them within a couple months but now after a few months I don't see more than a couple bite marks.
I learned how to relax all my muscles before sleeping, particularly in my mouth and face. I used sleep meditations with a body scan, which is basically someone using a calming voice, telling me how to relax each muscle/muscle group.
Everyone else has mentioned a lot of good stuff but I will add that bruxism can be a symptom of iron deficiency.
I bought one at my local pharmacy OTC... You put it in hot water and mold it to your teeth. I think mine was about $40 CAD ... My dentist recommended I try to sleep with one in for a while before paying for a custom one to make sure I can sleep with something in my mouth. I found it bulky, but haven't gotten the custom yet as it is about 10x the price.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0036WTV2C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_zPAUFbPXV6NY0
Yeah I think it is pretty different. I got this one: JS Dental Lab Custom Dental Night Guard, Sleep Mouth Guard for Teeth Grinding, Bruxism & TMJ Relief - Upper Bite Guard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TKKhFbM4A3D1D
It meant to be used exclusively for sleeping, so it’s pretty comfortable. Takes a few nights to get used to though.
Hi. Fellow misophoniac and teeth grinder here. I've been wearing nightguards for nearly 30 years. Professionally made ones and store bought. This is the BEST store bought one, in my opinion. I've been using them for at least 10 years now. It's easier to close your mouth because it doesn't cover your front teeth. Also keeps your front teeth from being achey in the morning after mashing your teeth together all night. And they last about 4 to 6 months before you have to make another one.
I've been suffering with about 15 on my tongue, complete inability to eat or sleep for 4 days, reached wits end, found this subreddit. The top 10 tips recommend a product called "Debactorl" which you can only get with a prescription. However if you are able to order from outside the US, you can use a product called "OralMedic." I used it for the first time yesterday, it is just an off brand Debactrol
The pain was immense, like one of the worst things I've ever felt, but I was desperate.
The result? I slept 12 hours last night. I ate food. I can drink today. I have 5 left to deal with, and I have ordered 2 more batches of it.
I very very very strongly recommend it for desperate situations: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oralmedic-Mouth-Ulcer-Treatment-0-2ml/dp/B0015X5ZW4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1J9XGD78H5SGW&keywords=OralMedic&qid=1666423966&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjMyIiwicXNhIjoiMS44OSIsInFzcCI6IjIuMDIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=oralmedic%2Caps%2C...
I do that too! I think its more related to my anxiety than ADHD, and it tends to get a lot worse the more stressed I am. Didn't realize how bad it was until my boyfriend recorded what it sounded like LOL.
It's actually really bad for your teeth and jaw though, so I would recommend investing in disposable mouth guards like these. They're not as good as the mouth guard you mold yourself but I am a) to lazy to do that and b) lose them anyway so this is a much better alternative.
Not much... I can't find any research that says anything about TMJ directly causes fatigue (through poor sleep). Anecdotally I've talked with lots of people who claim they sleep much better with their mouth guard...and a dentist I recently saw suggest that even a regular mouth guard could help with apnea (not sure if this is true).
If you have TMJ and are willing to try out a cheap mouthguard you can find out pretty quickly if it has any effect I'd say:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WTV2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That's the one my dentist recommended.
I love these “night guards” because I can wear them during the day when I am stressed, studying, or writing, and once you get used to it people don’t even notice it’s there. Also, their relatively cheap, individually packaged, and disposable, so you can keep one in your backpack/purse/glove compartment for when you need it.
Anxiety doesn't just cause your jaw clenching - it robs you of quality sleep as well. I tell you this because even if you address your jaw clenching, the anxiety can still rob you of Deep, Rem, and total hours slept every night.
In short, you need to get help with your anxiety.
In the meantime, if you want to quickly address the jaw clenching, give these a try (you can get them at Walmart). But, know you are addressing the symptoms, not the problem.