Reddit's favorite alternatives to Plackers Grind No More Night Guard, Nighttime Protection for Teeth, BPA Free, Sleep Well, Ready to Wear, Disposable, One Size Fits All, 16 Count

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 $.

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/

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.

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.

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Custom-Night-Guard/dp/B0769YSBNX/ref=sr_1_16?crid=3DRN06ZIGTW2D&dchild=1&keywords=bite+guard+for+teeth+clenching&qid=1612991215&sprefix=bite+,aps,200&sr=8-16

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.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/

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.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036WTV2C?ref=nb\_sb\_ss\_w\_as-reorder-t1\_ypp\_rep\_k0\_1\_14&amp=&crid=25Y29C67H94LE&amp=&sprefix=doctor%27s+night

Yes, it's very common. You might want to look into a drugstore molded bite guard.
I know the custom ones are $$$ I like the ones I linked. They're pretty comfortable.

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.

You can also try a low profile bite guard, like these: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004TD23W2

Or full-size mouth guard. Or a prescription mouth guard.

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching is called bruxism and there’s many causes for it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxism

From all the soft ones I've tried, this one is the most comfortable one for me https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=sr\_1\_14?crid=1PLODZ6J0K5XI&keywords=stop+grinding&qid=1654059870&rdc=1&sprefix=stop+grindin%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-14

Headaches before treatment, definitely - a lack of oxygen does that and I'd say one of the best things about treatment was not waking up with a splitting headache.

With treatment? No headaches. I do have neck pain on occasion, but that's related to sleeping funny not sleep apnea. Do you clench your jaw and grind your teeth? If so, that's the culprit. Try these.

I have found that I snore less and sleep with my mouth closed when I use my mouth guard. I started using it because I clinch my teeth, but this has been a really pleasant side effect. I suspect it's because it corrects my slight over bite.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YEMVSI/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_BS2Y1K94FR6CVG55V3RK

Get yourself some of these.

https://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Protection-Nightime-Grinding/dp/B002WTCK4Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Also, if you have an overbight, be careful not to clench so hard that you pop off one of your lower brackets with your front teeth. Ask me how I know this is possible.

I was initially given bite blocks which are blue things on my teeth to stop me from biting my brackets but I ended up grinding them off. I asked if I could have more added so I didn’t grind (they were big enough to where I couldn’t bite my back molars when I close my mouth) and they were so hesitant to put more on it was so annoying. I ended buying these things at Walmart and I only used them at night, I’ll go back to wearing them at night once I grind off my bite blocks again. You don’t have to mold them which is what I wanted since I don’t wanna do all that tbh lol DenTek , Comfort-Fit Dental Guard For Nighttime Teeth Grinding, 2 count (Packaging May Vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_CGCQ5B4SF695E3WT6J67?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Adjustable night guard that doesn’t harm back teeth DenTek , Comfort-Fit Dental Guard For Nighttime Teeth Grinding, 2 count (Packaging May Vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_MNNA5ZHDPJHG3YZQ3CF0

In the meantime, a quick fix could be these:

Plackers Grind No More Dental Night Guard for Teeth Grinding, Blue 10 Count https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_M55ESQBXX7B1X73MC2BP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They are soft. Not perfect, but they do reduce the pressure of grinding. I would only recommend that you try to wait to put them on until you are really about to fall asleep. Otherwise, they may trigger grinding while you lie awake because they activate your chewing reflex.

At first I paid $150 through the dentist and then damaged that one. Not wanting to pay more money, I tried OTC and it is 100% the same to me. Something like this LINK

Yep, something like this

This one worked really well for me. It's still $129, but cheaper than 500. It's a kit that you mold to your teeth, then mail in the mold and they send you back the guard.

Fits SO much better than the ones your heat up at home and mold yourself. Much thinner, and more durable so they won't warp over time and shift your teeth like the really cheap ones do.

Sounds like you’re juggling a lot! Migraines suck ass, pardon my French & frankness. I’m glad you’ve had some luck with the pillow.

I have TMJ issues and they absolutely tie into my migraines. I purchased an ice wrap from Amazon (yeah Bezos is the devil, but it sounds like we both have store accessibility issues with migraines + the baby for you, so I think it’s worth it!) that’s marketed for post-wisdom teeth surgery & I put it on as soon as I feel any jaw or ear pain. It’s got 4 ice packs, you use two at a time. It’s helped a ton with my migraine frequency, but I really have to get it on there asap before the pain spreads much.

As for mouth guards, my dentist recommended The Doctor’s Nightguard as a non-prescription option. It’s the most comfortable and stays put the best I’ve found out of all the over the counter night guards I’ve tried.

I put a little piece of breathable medical tape over my lips to keep things in because I’m a mouth breather at night.

(I too was pleasantly shocked that I could use the nasal only. Allergies were always so bad, I assumed that was not a possibility.)

I tried the chin-strap and couldn't use it. (Lips still blew out.)

I went to a Night Guard (for Bruxism, "Night Teeth Grinding", which I do NOT have.)

But, just having that to bite on, (and keep the tongue back inside) seems to seal it all up well.

If the chin strap doesn't work for you, give one a try.

I've tried a few, this is the one I keep coming back to: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WTCK4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not on adderall, but I have a serious problem with clenching/grinding my teeth. I use a mouthguard/retainer, there are clear fairly soft ones for daytime use. This is the brand I use:

enCore Guards - Custom Dental Night Guard/Mouth Guard for Protection Against Teeth Grinding/Clenching/Bruxism and TMJ Relief - One (1) Guard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TXB5V5/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_CTACXZKPSEART9HRNH4Z

Since you’re at this point, can I recommend something that worked for me? I posted about this way back in January when I first got it.

I found that these mouth guards (actually meant to prevent clenching) are available in very thin materials, so they’re not intrusive, and you can speak clearly while wearing them. The one I’m linking to is expensive, but IMO totally worth it. You can wear these in public and talk to people and no one will notice it!

I started using these in January 2021, and have been able to kill my nail-biting 100%!

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_0EV96D60XY569VRHE83W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You can use any type of sport mouth guard, I don’t think a small one would hurt their teeth too much vs the grinding.

I’ve had ADHD my entire life and always grinded, I sleep with just a normal small size sport mouth piece.

They do have these though which might fit a kids mouth better

https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=284DCS2EDM3G9&dchild=1&keywords=teeth+grinding&qid=1632586904&sprefix=teeth+grin&sr=8-4

I grind my teeth all night. My ortho OK’d my use of these, they help a ton.

Plackers Grind No More Dental Night Guard for Teeth Grinding, Blue 10 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W8FGHPTVZPSY6DPRT9AX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I purchased a guard off of Amazon. A dental lab sends me a kit, I take my own impression, once it's approved I send it back to them, and they'll send me back a custom guard. I ended up buying another one as a backup when they e-mailed me a discount code, and a thin daytime guard just in case I need to wear something at work.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074TXB5V5/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you grind your teeth at night GET A NIGHT GUARD that is comfortable enough to wear every night.

I have a $600 custom one from my dentist but honestly I think the cheap ones that you throw in boiling water before molding onto your teeth are just about as good, and they are only like $20. Here's one of the cheap ones I like:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YEMVSI/

Seriously, night guards have saved what is left of my poor ground-down teeth.

For a local dentist I've been quite happy with Kappa Dental Group (Somerville, Washington St)

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Custom-Mouth-Guard/dp/B0769GHPRX?pd_rd_w=EpLkC&pf_rd_p=de28a4b0-e3d5-4d62-a7ec-045d2f5964b4&pf_rd_r=Y5RWH6WWHMEPBHHNM28V&pd_rd_r in=8f1ea6fc-d288-484e-8037-64c18e1dbe19&pd_rd_wg=8lKHq&pd_rd_i=B0769GHPRX&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_rp_28_sc

This is the one I have that was recommended to me by someone on Reddit. Expensive but it lasts for years

Hey! For the mouth guard thing, you don't need the expensive one the dentist recommends, generic brands will do essentially the same thing. I grind my teeth at night and have been using OTC guards for years, the dentist said they wouldn't have been able to tell grind if I hadn't told them! Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/ConfiDental-Moldable-Clenching-Whitening-Including/dp/B075FV78W8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=dental+mouth+guard&qid=1629806840&sr=8-5

Longer term, once your savings are more steady, you could look into botox to stop the grinding altogether. Best of luck & hang in there, I'm sure things will be looking up for you soon!

Heads up, if you want to try a nice custom mouth guard without spending $500-700 at the dentist, I found this great one on Amazon:

JS Dental Lab Custom Dental Night... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Just a lie. You can find some you mold yourself in hot water but they also have some that are less invasive that just protect your molars. My fiance uses them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_TPWRGNY3J551MNPVN5VF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

If the chin stap doesn't work for you, try one of the mouth guards for bruxism (night teeth grinding). Something about having that to bite down on keeps my mouth closed enough to overcome at least up to 14 pressure. Like this one: AmazonSmile : DenTek, Comfort-Fit Dental Guard For Nighttime Teeth Grinding, 2 count (Packaging May Vary) : Anti Grinding Teeth Protectors : Beauty

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxism

https://www.amazon.com/ConfiDental-Moldable-Clenching-Whitening-Including/dp/B075FV78W8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=night+guard+grinding&qid=1615774520&sr=8-5

You want to address this problem early bro. Or your teeth will deteriorate and you'll wake up with headaches, jaw pain, soreness etc.

/u/dodecacat - sweet username by the way.

I’m not a dentist, but I’m in a similar situation to yours (probably worse, actually, because I also need braces and possibly jaw surgery). My teeth were in such bad condition that a dentist referred me to a dental school for a full mouth rehabilitation. I was on a waiting list for a year before they called me in for a consultation. My dental insurance will only pay out $1k a year, so the dental school was the only way to make the rehabilitation affordable for me. It’s still a lot of money, but it’s MUCH less expensive than the alternative options. So far, I’ve been receiving very good treatment at the school. The students receive lots of training before they are allowed to do clinical work and they’re very careful because their work is constantly being checked by a teacher.

You’re taking good care of your teeth now and that’s wonderful! You can also protect them from further wear by using a night guard. This is a custom night guard by J&S Dental which I purchased a couple of times. They fit me perfectly and did a good job protecting my teeth, the customer service was good, and they are relatively inexpensive. $130. (My dentist quoted me $700 and the insurance company I had at the time wouldn’t cover a dime of it.)

Don’t give up! Your situation is not hopeless! You were dealt a lousy hand and unfortunately you can’t change the past, but you can take steps to prevent things from getting worse while you research your options and save up for repair work. Always remember, you are so much more than your teeth. You’re a bright and valuable person who’s worthy of love and care, so you must treat yourself that way even if no one else does.

Dentists can make these but they will charge you $700!

I found this mail-in service on Amazon that does the exact same thing but for $130. They'll send you a kit with everything you need to make the mold of your upper jaw (bottom is an option, too). Once made, just send it in (pre-paid mail envelope is included). Got mine in about a week.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0769YSBNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_P0BAG9K1ZV3M7QR7P5WP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I bought a night guard from J and S dental lab on Amazon link I got the heaviest duty option and it has lasted almost two years and I’m a pretty intense clenched.

So two of them were custom made by my dentist. I have a full hard guard for my bottom teeth and an Invisalign/vivera retainer guard for the top teeth. The third is a full hard guard for my top teeth that I ordered from J&S Dental Lab. Basically they send you a kit to make an impression of your teeth, then you send it back to them and they use it to make a custom guard. It’s much cheaper than the ones from the dentist, and the quality is pretty similar.

Unfortunately, I’ve never had much luck with the generic guards available at the pharmacy, and I’ve tried a bunch of them.

If this is a problem for you, can you maybe try a guard that doesn't conform to your teeth? I use Placker's Grind No More (I clench, not grind). It helps a lot and fits easily in my mouth. The downside is that the two spots where your back teeth meet with the guard are definitely more sore than the others in the morning because they are receiving the totality of the pressure.

https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2

I recommend getting a mouthguard. It sucks but the benefits of Zoloft outweigh the inconvenience of wearing one, at least for me. Here’s the one I recommend! Mouthguard

https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=grind+no+more+mouth+guard&qid=1605217334&sprefix=grind+&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRDB...

If you just grind your teeth, dentists hate this and I'm gonna be down voted, but you can go on amazon and get it done.

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Night-Guard-Upper/dp/B0769YSBNX

Just make sure if you start to have jaw aches or other aches, to stop wearing it and get it checked by a dentist.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TWJLJHG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_HjPtv1ZlOs7qo

Use the thin ones. Don't boil the water in the microwave though, do it over the stove. You'll be happier with the results. Use the thinnest ones.

Be really careful with this. If you can at all wiggle your teeth, don't do it. I got one of those guards that you boil (which is the type you should get if you do go for one, btw) but I had very early gum disease without realizing it at the time. It majorly changed my bite and made my TMJ way worse.

If you are doing over the counter because of money, perhaps consider a direct from manufacturer guard? You send them the mold and they make you the quality of guard that you would usually get at the dentist. They're the same people your dentist buys them from (virtually no one makes them on premises) and you're just eliminating the charge from the middle man. You could get this one for $130 from a well rated source.

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Custom-Night-Guard/dp/B0769YSBNX?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Our bites do tend to be a bit off, so they do recommend that you get the 3D mouth guard. That is $219. A LOT more money, I know! But what they're doing is instead of just taking a mold of your upper teeth, they take an additional mold of the bottom and utilize the combination to design the guard to compensate for any uneven bite pressure.

https://jsdentallab.com/collections/guards/products/3d-custom-night-guard-severe-teeth-grinding

I know this is a lot, but most dentists will ask bare minimum $500 for a mouth guard if you're lucky, so you're shaving a lot off. And WOW a legit mouth guard has made SO much difference for me!

I was clenching my jaw so hard that i essentially gave myself a bad overbite, severely aggravating my TMJ. I didn’t even realize i was doing this. I bought this: mouth guard and molded it to how i was supposed to position my jaw. I wore it for a few nights and it completely stopped my clenching issue; my jaw barely pops at all anymore. Not sure if it’ll help your situation or not but it greatly improved mine

That is genius! I use packers, which are low profile, but even that made him gag because it was back in his mouth. This could actually work for him.

https://smile.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n2_0?cv_ct_cx=Plackers&dchild=1&keywords=Plackers&pd_rd_i=B004TD23W2&pd_rd_r=97b50e02-0070-46a1-97fd-39a0d7fb3ee2&pd_rd_w=r1VF...

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Lab-Custom-Mouth-Guard/dp/B0769GHPRX/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=mouth+guard&dchild=1&keywords=mouth+guard&pd_rd_i=B0769GHPRX&pd_rd_r=672d4ee1-35be-492a-b6e8-e817eb81be09&pd_rd_w=t1L6W&a...

I got the semi-hard version but you can pick the different types and upper or lower teeth

Thank you for your suggestion. How about this guard that doesn't do molding?

https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=lp_3764091_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1596548388&sr=1-6

Thank you for your suggestion. How about this guard that doesn't do molding?

https://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Grind-Dental-Night-Grinding/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=lp_3764091_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1596548388&sr=1-6

I'm just gonna throw that option out there, but before getting a dentist night guard I bought one on Amazon, something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Advanced-NightGuard-Protector-Nighttime/dp/B0036WTV2C. You heat it initially and then bite in it to fit your teeth. It was pretty alright, a bit bulkier than the dentist night guard and more chewable which is not as great for bruxism. Per my dentist, the professional night guard is harder, and doesn't encourage chewing do may tried mess your teeth/jaws and I kinda agree. It's pretty cheap though so could be an option. Otherwise I can't remember how much my dentist night guard was, but I've had the same for 6 years so far. The dentist checks the fit every visit (once or twice a year) and so far not change so it can last a while.

So I have occasional issues with grinding my teeth or clenching my jaw while sleeping and these are the guards I use. They’re super low profile and don’t feel like normal bite guards at all. Idk where you’re at but Amazon has them for me. They’re called the Grind No More, Disposables by Plackers and I love them. They might help.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TD23W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_btf_t1_AwkqFb5CT7KYX

Check out 'The Doctors night guard" $29 on Amazon. I get mine from Walmart.

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Doctors-Advanced-Comfort-NightGuard/dp/B0036WTV2C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=64062523594&gclid=CjwKCAjwmKLzBRBeEiwACCVihiaIOOR8FqN_9r3S9vfp2dII3t_iYDc9_kbIe6FIvbJ4EX5tUEcOmBoC_rMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=310039405916&hvdev=m&am...

I bought these mouth guards and didn't have a problem molding any of them using the box instructions. I've also spent $400 twice on "specialty" mouth guards from my dentist and I've seen no real difference in my TMJ pain between them and the $20 ones.

With all that said mouth guards in general can be sort of hit or miss when it comes to TMJ pain. You should find out what's causing the pain first. If it's clenching then try molding a guard that prevents you from being able to clench. If it's overuse, soft food and warm massaging with ibuprofen is a good cheap start. I don't think medicaid or any kind of insurance covers TMJ stuff as I found out myself unfortunately :(

I get these guys: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GDKH9C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jpLnCbV9CW9YA

At first I was really worried about swallowing them but they worked great. I spit one out by accident about once a week but I have definitely noticed a reduction in headaches and neck tightness which were my major grinding issues.

I bought this one and I like it more than the last one I had made in a dentist's office. The cheaper ones are definitely way better than nothing (I wear mine religiously), but this one has lasted a long time and is super comfortable.

Anyone who can't afford a mouth guard, try these. I originally found them at the dollar store.

Didn't have much luck with the straps. Get one of the mouth guard things for bruxism (teeth grinding). I don't grind mine, but somehow, having that to bite on, kept my tongue in my mouth and allows me to keep it shut/sealed (at pressure 14). Like this one https://smile.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Dental-Guard/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498043913&sr=8-3&keywords=dentek%2Bmouth%2Bguard&th=1

My orthodontist said she can't help with that, so that I ended up using this: https://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Dental-Guard/dp/B002WTCK4Q

I feel very nervous about using it, but well... One of my canine teeth is already flat, and I'm tired of jaw pain caused by grinding.

I haven't been diagnosed with TMJ or anything but I definitely grind my teeth at night, have awful headaches all the time, and often wake up with tightness in my jaw and neck. I've used mouthguards at night for years. The only ones I'd reccommend are these since they're really small and you wouldn't notice you were wearing it after a little while: https://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Dental-Guard/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1487231612&sr=8-2&keywords=dentek+mouth+guard

Don't know if you already got one from the dentist, but for anyone else try Placker's Grind No Mores. They look like they couldn't possibly work like a full mouth guard, but they do and they're completely comfortable because of how small they are.

I had the same issue where I couldn't stand the full mouth guards and they would immediately alter my bite for hours after I woke up. Was very skeptical of the Plackers, but they do prevent you from grinding your teeth together and they're so inconspicuous that you could even keep them in during the day and still talk, drink, etc.

Make sure you keep your lips hydrated and exfoliated so that they don't get dry, that way there's nothing to peel off. A lip scrub might be a good investment, OR, you could diy your own by melting a half-used lip balm in a bowl in the microwave, adding white sugar, then smooshing it into a tube or container. Rub it on your lips, and they will be smooth, hydrated, and you can't peel them. You might want to try those disposable thin mouth guards to chew on throughout the day, they're pretty innocuous and will restrict your jaw slightly so that you can't chew on other parts of your mouth. You could put them in when you're idle and you know you won't be talking to anyone. You'll be able to chew the guard though, and since they come in a big pack, it's no big deal. Plackers Grind No More Dental Night Protector, 14 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GDKH9C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jzPbyb5GZ4N1Q

http://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Dental-Guard/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=pd_sbs_121_52?ie=UTF8&dpID=51FQqLtulRL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR87%2C160_&refRID=0HWA1NNN07FVYGJ0AS3D

This is worse...

Heya, my previous dentist (Sparkle Dental at Novena) charges around there or slightly cheaper depending on the material used so I was thinking of going back to him, just that his waiting list is a few months long :(

anyway glad to hear you got yours sorted! I still find $500 pretty steep for something I'm going to end up chewing away. A friend of mine helped me find this which I'll try in the meantime: http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-NightGuard-Advanced-Protector-Grinding/dp/B0036WTV2C Not sure if it's any good, but I plan to try it while I'm on the waitlist for my dentist :)

I have bruxism issues (nighttime tooth grinding.) And have really messed up my teeth because of it (along with TMJ issues). I wear these at night and feel like they help a ton. http://www.amazon.com/Plackers-Mouth-Guard-Dental-Protector/dp/B003GDKH9C

1. As a teeth grinder myself nearly my whole life, I say that MouthGuards work wonders. They keep me from wearing down my teeth, which are already super sensitive to cold because of the grinding. Don't get the bulky guards. Unless you brush them every morning get get smelly and the plastic wears thin. I use a thinner type. http://www.amazon.com/PLACKERS-GRIND-NO-MORE/dp/B003GDKH9C/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1273406390&sr=8-18 They are meant for temporary use or something but ultimately cost $1 and are far more comfortable to me.
2. One of my professors swears that she used to grind her teeth. She then went to an acupuncturist to aid with this problem. After 3 treatments it went away. Worth I try I guess.