Mine is only on the top teeth, and it took a little getting used to (expect to look for it places other than your mouth for a few mornings), but once you do, it's not bad at all

What was primarily bothersome about the orthodontics related head-gear, as I recall, was the strain it put on your teeth. Since you're not actuallly trying to move those around, I'd think that wouldn't be an issue here.

Might be most comparable to sleep masks, actually - I first started using those when my schedule was all kinds of fucked up and I had to be able to sleep properly in the daytime. It felt weird as all hell at first, bt you get used to it.

Might be knd of silly looking. Drew et al can deal.

I had to wear mine all day except when eating. I was about 14 when this started. There was once that I took it out to eat lunch, then accidentally threw it away when I threw out my lunch. My mom and sister and I ended up digging through the school dumpster for an hour and a half to find it. (SO gross.) (Actually, I did that twice. The second time was at a fast food restaurant, and by the time I realized it, they had already put the trash in the trash compactor. Also, my dad was with me that time, and he was much less likely to try to impart a "take care of expensive things" lesson by digging through trash.)

Oh, brenda - a question for you: If your Secret Santa (who is not I, because that would be... revealing the secret) wanted to mail your gift, could he or she mail it now, or should he or she wait until after you get back from your trip?

CJ just got a retainer recently and his instructions are to wear it 24/7. Only take it out when he brushes his teeth. If he can't brush his teeth right after a meal, he is supposed to at least rinse his mouth out.

I can't imagine eatting with one of those in. I guess the ortho had dealt with too many that got chucked and now tells the kids to keep them in to eat.

Jen, let me send you an address that you can pass on.

Insent, Jen.

Kristin, I would go for the mouth guard, but that is only because I hate any metal in my mouth.

I only semi-related news, I spoke to the older nephew the other, and he just got a palete extender. I couldn't understand a word the poor thing was saying, and he told me he was in a lot of pain.

I use a night guard (plastic one that I buy at drugstore) AIFG, if you can believe it. I wake up without the clenched-jaw headache o' doom. It took a little getting used to, but now I can't sleep without it - even when I nap! It does look weird, though. Like a squirrel hiding nuts.

Thanks, GC (and Lee and Hil and everyone for their insights). I think I may go for the softer one, at least at first. This one is custom made (not sure if it's over my front teeth or not) so probably will be more comfortable than I think, and I am looking forward to not waking up with a sore jaw.

I think which teeth it covers depends on which teeth you grind, Kristin, but they really aren't uncomfortable, especially after the first couple of days.