I've been wearing a professionally fitted mouthguard at night for several months as well, mainly because of teeth grinding issues. Initially, it seemed like a good solution to prevent damage, but over time I started noticing some discomfort and even subtle changes in how my teeth felt when I removed the mouthguard each morning. This got me concerned about whether prolonged use might affect my bite, just like others have mentioned. From my experience, mouthguards can provide protection, but they may also alter your bite or cause an open bite if you're grinding heavily beneath them. Since teeth grinding, or bruxism, continues even with a mouthguard in place, the plastic can flatten your teeth's chewing surface or shift your bite alignment. This can be especially frustrating if you've already had orthodontic treatment like braces. One thing that helped me was regularly consulting with my dentist to check if the mouthguard still fits properly and if any adjustments were needed. Switching to a softer or differently designed mouthguard sometimes reduces irritation and prevents negative bite changes. There are also specialized night guards made from materials that balance protection with comfort. If you experience increased irritation or suspect your bite is changing, it's crucial to address it early. Alternatives like stress management, physical therapy for jaw muscles, or even bite correction treatments can complement mouthguard use. Exploring these with a dental professional can provide a safer and more comfortable approach to managing teeth grinding without compromising your oral health. Sharing your experience in forums or with others who use mouthguards can be valuable too — there are various brands and custom options that cater to different needs, including thinner or partial coverage guards. Your feedback might help someone else avoid the same bite issues and encourage manufacturers to innovate better solutions.