Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Doctor's® NightGuard



Congratulations on my purchase of The Doctor's® NightGuard.

I don't know whether I grind my teeth or not, and since nobody shares the bedroom with me, I don't have anyone to describe my sleep habits to me. But it is better to err on the side of caution. My mouth is home to three crowns and four fillings and even though they appear to be firmly in place, stress and pressure from grinding over time will inevitably compromise their integrity.

The aforementioned product is a moldable plastic guard designed to fit over the upper teeth. It comes in three sizes in accordance with the person's height.

Small: under 5'6"
Medium: 5'6" to 5'11"
Large: 6'0" and above

Since at 5'7", I fall into the medium category, I bought one of that size.

Brought it home, retrieved the guard from the package and tried it on. According to the manual, the arms of the protector should reach the last of my back teeth, but they are one short on on both sides. And also the U shape seems a bit too narrow to fit the arch of my teeth.

It's too small.

I don't know how to take that. This is quite unsettling.

What do YOU think of me now that you know that I have a big mouth not just in a figurative sense? Are we still friends?

I need a hug.

24 Comments:

At June 20, 2007 4:43 AM, Blogger DaveShack said...

Aww, shucks. Here's a hug. And a pack of Big Red.

 
At June 20, 2007 5:39 AM, Blogger Amber said...

For what it's worth, I've never seen you as a person with a big mouth. (((((((((hugs))))))))))

 
At June 20, 2007 5:40 AM, Blogger Bruce said...

Sorry David, not really surprised here. Yes, we'll still be friends.

B~

 
At June 20, 2007 7:58 AM, Blogger Bar L. said...

David, I am so sorry you had to learn this about yourself, your true friends will stand by you.

((((David))))

 
At June 20, 2007 8:33 AM, Blogger Linda said...

David,
There are worse things than having a big mouth.

I almost bought one of these since my dentist said I've started grinding my teeth in the last several years.

I wonder why? Hmmmm.

 
At June 20, 2007 3:40 PM, Blogger Oricon Ailin said...

Being a person who suffers from severe TMJ disorder, I feel your pain.

I have had to wear night guards for many years now.

I had a professional made one from the dentist for a long time, until my puppy got a hold of it and chewed it to shreds. Then I couldn't afford a new $1500 night guard. So, I had to settle for a store bought one.

I didn't like the one like you picked. BUT...if you go to the Walgreens website, there is a newer one that is great. It doesn't have to be molded to fit your mouth. It's designed differently. If you want to know more, email me and I'll tell ya. The one I got has really been helpful.

*HUGS* (And don't worry, you don't have a big mouth! LOL)

 
At June 20, 2007 5:37 PM, Blogger Gary Means said...

As for having a big mouth, that would all depend on the definition. If it means an articulate, humorous man with interesting opinions on diverse topics, then yes, you have a very big mouth.

 
At June 20, 2007 5:44 PM, Blogger Gary Means said...

I just went to the Walgreen's website and saw the Sleepright Adjustable Night Guard for $69.95. And, David, the good news is that it comes in three versions:
unflavored, mint, and CINNAMON!

 
At June 20, 2007 6:59 PM, Blogger B said...

Here is a hint from a girl who had brothers that played a lot of sports....take the mouth guard and put it in boiling water for about 2 minutes. Take it out and let it cool for a minute and then while it is still uncomfortably warm, put it into place and leave it there while it cools. It forms better to your mouth that way and will stay in that shape.

 
At June 20, 2007 7:50 PM, Blogger David Cho said...

dave - that's fine as long as you are not hugging me while chewing Big Red. Big Red is disgusting.

amber - hugs back to you. Hope you had a nice day.

bruce - I didn't know we were friends (David shoots and scores!!! Hehehe).

barbara - thanks.

 
At June 20, 2007 7:51 PM, Blogger David Cho said...

grace - Are you saying there are worse things about me than having a big mouth? LOL!!! Yeah, I know what you are saying about the last few years.

 
At June 20, 2007 7:53 PM, Blogger David Cho said...

heather - is that the same one Gary is talking about?

Gary - thanks for the kind words. So cinnamon is one of the three. That is really weird to me. I'd go with unflavored.

JRA - That is exactly what the instruction says to do, but I am supposed to do a "test fit" first. Will be boiling water tonight and see how it shakes out.

 
At June 20, 2007 8:47 PM, Blogger Robert said...

well my friend Im one of the weird ones who happen to LOVE big red o so sorry lol Im sure you will make it thru this monumental crisis thanks so much for your comment on my blog o also if you get a chance could you stop by calvary chapel costa mesa sometime tell me your imnpresssion?? love to hear how ole Pastor Chuck is doing nowadays

 
At June 20, 2007 8:59 PM, Blogger Oricon Ailin said...

Yup, yup...that's the one I use. The Sleepright one.

I'm sorry about my email addie. For some reason (probably because I'm a blonde), I forgot to put it in the coding of the page when I re-did my layout. hehehe

It's: oriconailin@elp.rr.com

Sorry about that!!

*smiles*

 
At June 20, 2007 10:18 PM, Blogger David Cho said...

The one you and Gary are talking about is a bit pricey, but one thing I am NOT gonna do.

I am not be putting on a used night guard.

 
At June 21, 2007 12:52 PM, Blogger Oricon Ailin said...

It's a bit pricey, I agree. HOWEVER, the cost to fix your jaw or your teeth from the constant grinding would be WAY MORE!!

And, if you were to get a professional fit one from your dentist, it could cost as much as $1500 or more. My original one was that much. It fit great and I didn't mind wearing it, but after my dog grabbed it off the bathroom sink and chewed it up, I couldn't afford another one like it. (I wiped out my savings for the first one)

So, of ALL the sports ones and the over the counter ones I've spent money on, the Sleepright is my favorite.

My other alternative was to undergo surgery on my jaw...which entailed wiring my jaw shut while it healed. I THINK NOT!!!!

 
At June 21, 2007 5:21 PM, Blogger San Nakji said...

Sue them! Sue them now!

 
At June 22, 2007 7:59 AM, Blogger Mike Y said...

I can't laugh too much at this one as I might find myself in the same boat. I have to do something. I don't know if I grind my teeth, but I do know I tend to clench down on them through the night. And lately, I've got teeth breaking for no good reason. A couple weeks ago, I was eating a peach and felt something stuck between my teeth. It turned out to be part of a tooth. Great! I'm falling apart.

 
At June 22, 2007 8:32 AM, Blogger David Cho said...

Ouch, Mike. Good luck with that.

 
At June 29, 2007 8:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

*pause*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

ok, sorry.

Funny. But we're still friends.

 
At July 02, 2007 4:27 PM, Blogger rubyslipperlady said...

Ahhh, I've missed you. Need to get back into the blogsphere, I see.

Hugs to ya! Many, many hugs!

 
At July 03, 2007 10:24 AM, Blogger SUPER said...

So let me get this straight...you're worried about this only as a precautionary measure...just on the off chance you might grind your teeth at night?
Go for the cinnamon! ha

 
At July 08, 2007 8:06 AM, Blogger laura k said...

I share my bed with a teeth-grinder. I'm here to tell you that his nightguard - custom-made at the dentist's office - is a relationship saver. Not only that, it's probably kept me out of prison. Although I might have gotten off on justifiable homicide.

About the size thing, don't worry too much. Better too big than too little. :)

 
At March 11, 2010 11:31 AM, Anonymous Ami said...

At least that's the only thing that happened to you. After 3 months of wearing The Doctors' Night guard, it actually wore down my teeth MORE. Supposedly it guards your teeth against grinding; it actually made mine worse. My front teeth are so ground down, the inner part of my teeth are exposed. My dentist estimated the total damages to be around $40,000. And I have to get 12 fillings done, to "save what's left of my teeth". Can anybody relate? I'm trying to actually take this company to court.

 

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