Night guard is the problem I think

So, I haven't posted for a while but I joined about a year ago. About 4 yrs ago I got a night guard and retainer after getting braces off. I have to wear them every night. For a couple years I wore them without a problem.

Two years ago I began getting burning and peeling lips. It was an extremely stressful time in my life and I know that played a part. I tried so many things. Elimination diet, meds etc. Finally one day after talking to my derm I thought, maybe it's my nightguard. Duh! She didn't think it was allergy but possibly just from the saliva.

So, I tried not wearing them for a while and it helped a lot. I even tried getting new ones and my symptoms completely went away. I thought I was cured! Then a couple months later it came back.

I don't know what to do. I have to wear this for the rest of my life because if I stop my jaw will start moving and I get migraines. I spoke to my Tmj doc and he thought it was a viral thing and gave me a prescription for topical herpes meds. He says he has the same condition. But the cream just made it burn and flare up.

Any ideas? I've tried soaking and cleaning it all kinds of ways.

It's currently much better than it was. I take an herb astragalus which seems to have helped and I found a lip balm that keeps it calm.