I can't sleep without one if I want to save my teeth. TMJ and a grinding when in pain is a bad combination. You'll get used to it. I am now using a youth size soccer guard because I refuse to ever have that fitting cr-- in my mouth again. The last time I had it done, it made me sick and the tech wouldn't take it out for a minute. When I came out, I told the dentist never again. Four days later he called to say the lab had broken my mold and I needed to start over. NO!