Best OTC Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding 2023

Nothing ordinary. Our favorite items can be found at Rite Aid or even at a high-end apothecary. That's why we've put together a list of what our dream drugstore would sell. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is caused by tight jaw muscles and can happen at any time of day or night. But sleep bruxism is much harder to treat because most of us don't even know we're doing it. People often don't know they have the condition until they go to the doctor with headaches, jaw or face pain, worn-down teeth, or if their bed partner hears them grinding their teeth. Dr. Rashmi Ambewadikar of Astoria Smiles Pediatric Dentistry says that ignoring it won't make it go away. Instead, it can lead to major oral problems like loss of enamel, sensitive teeth, and a tendency to get cavities.

People used to think that teeth grinding was caused by a misaligned jaw or teeth, but Dr. Brent Larson, head of the orthodontics department at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, says, "We've learned that's not the case. People are hardwired to be grinders, and certain things can make it worse if they are grinders. Stress and worry, caffeine, alcohol, and some medications are all things that can make it worse. At the Gelb Center, Dr. Michael Gelb helps people who have TMJ, headaches, or sleep problems. He says that a new study shows that clenching could also be caused by a problem with the airway. Dr. Lauren Becker, a cosmetic dentist, said the same thing. She said that when someone has airway obstruction or sleep-disordered breathing, they don't get enough oxygen, which "activates the sympathetic nervous system" and makes them clench or grind their teeth. Gelb says that before a night guard is used, patients are usually checked for breathing-related sleep disorders like sleep apnea or snoring since gripping could also be a sign of these problems.

If you think you might be grinding your teeth at night, you should go to the dentist for a full checkup. 

In the meantime, or if you grind your teeth when you're under a lot of stress or don't get enough sleep, doctors say that over-the-counter mouthguards can be used as a short-term fix for two weeks to a month, but they shouldn't be used for a long time. Dr. Joseph Salim of Sutton Place Dental Associates says that a one-size-fits-all method doesn't always work, especially since these aren't made for your mouth, so an over-the-counter mouth guard only helps temporarily until a proper diagnosis. Dr. Donald Tanenbaum, who is a board-certified TMJ and orofacial pain expert, says that the goal is not to treat anything that is complicated. "If someone has a real problem with the joint itself, like a click, a pop, a lock, or a deep inflammation, these devices aren't very helpful and shouldn't be used." "Lessen the blow to the teeth" is what they can do. With all of that in mind, these mouthguards have been approved by dentists to help you feel better until you can get an appointment. 

A custom mouth guard can only be made by a doctor, but a "boil-and-bite" guard that molds to your teeth is the best over-the-counter option. Dr. Danielle Lombardi, a board-certified pediatric dentist, says that these are the most popular because they are comfortable and easy to find in drug shops. Dr. Lana Rozenberg, a dentist in New York City, says all you have to do to use it is put it in hot water to soften it, then bite down on it, which will help set it. "When it hardens, you can cut off the extra material, and now you have a guard that fits almost perfectly."

This boil-and-bite from Oral-B is one of Rozenberg's favorites. It has a nice minty taste and can also be warmed in the microwave.  Dr. Tannenbaum likes microwaveable ones better than standard boil-and-bite ones because they are made of "thinner, lighter, more moldable material." Ambewadikar and Dr. Brijesh Chandwani, a dentist who specializes in facial pain and problems with the jaw joint, both suggest the Oral-B guard. Ambewadikar talks about how strong and small this guard is, and how it won't feel too big in your mouth because it's thin.

This mouth guard also covers all the teeth, which makes it safer than partial appliances because your teeth are less likely to move. This is one of the risks of wearing an OTC guard for a long time, says Dr. Nojan Bakhtiari, a board-certified TMJ, and facial pain expert. "Teeth are stupid," he says. "Teeth don't stop growing until they touch something. Your teeth don't keep falling out of your jawbone because they touch each other when you sleep. So, if you wear partial coverage aids, your teeth might start to move on their own."

Dr. Sharon Huang of Les Belles NYC, a holistic dentistry practice in Manhattan, says that this temporary night guard should only be used by light teeth-grinders or until you get a custom-fitted one. Huang says that this one is better for newbies because it is thinner and easier to handle. 

One-size night guards, like the Packers ones Salim and Rozenberg picked, are faster to use than boil-and-bite guards because they're ready to go right out of the box, as long as they fit your mouth well. These are disposable but can be cleaned between uses with Efferdent tablets, toothpaste, or soap and water. They can be put on either the top or bottom teeth. Dr. Bakhtiari says that soap, water, and a soft toothbrush are better than toothpaste because "toothpaste will just scratch it up, making it easier for bacteria to grow."

Rozenberg says that even though this DenTek guard is thinner than some other famous models, it offers the same level of protection and might even feel more comfortable. Even though you can't boil it or heat it up in the oven to make it fit your teeth, it does have a five-point band that you can adjust to make it fit better. But if you have a sensitive gag reaction, it's best to get a guard made by a professional, since even these low-profile over-the-counter versions still touch the roof of the mouth, which can be uncomfortable. Also, Dr. Bakhtiari says that a partial guard that doesn't fit your teeth (like this one) can fall off during the night, and back sleepers "have a risk of it moving around to the back of the throat."

Most likely, you don't care how a mouthguard looks at night. But during the day, you might want one that doesn't stand out as much. Dr. Lilya Horowitz, a cosmetic dentist at Domino Dental in Brooklyn, says that this mouth guard "does not cover the front teeth, so it may be better for the day" and that it "will keep your back teeth apart and may keep you from grinding your front teeth."

[Editor's note: This guard is only sold by a third-party seller on Amazon, so you might want to buy it from Target directly.]

Horowitz has found that people who clench or grind their teeth tend to have more sensitive teeth overall. This is similar to what other dentists have told us: "When enamel is lost, teeth lose their protective layer and the nerve becomes more exposed." So, you should choose a guard that "covers as much of your teeth as possible," she says. She suggests this guard, which comes in a pack of four with two sizes for a better fit.

Chandwani likes this guard that can be heated in the microwave because it only covers the back teeth and won't hurt his front teeth, which are sensitive. The tight fit keeps the guard from moving around at night, which can be uncomfortable and wake you up.

Teeth grinding can happen to people of all ages. Baby teeth and braces can make it even harder to stop. Mouth guards are usually safe for tweens and teens, but Lombardi says that before getting one, parents, a dentist, and an orthodontist should talk about it. Even though kids often grind their teeth, Lombardi says that it usually goes away on its own and doesn't last into adulthood. Ambewadikar suggests this pack for the tween or teen who wants one. "This pack has different thicknesses for different levels of grinding, so each person can choose the one that feels best in their mouth," she says. Ambewadikar says that people can also use them. Horowitz also says that these guards are good for protecting teeth in adults.

When people grind and clench their teeth, it's not always just a sign of stress. Gelb says, "Recently, we've found a link between clenching your teeth at night and a possible airway problem or sleep disorder." If you think that sleep apnea or snoring might be the cause of your teeth grinding, Gelb suggests getting a mouth guard like this SnoreRx guard, which he says "potentially gets more at the root cause of their clenching and would actually be better for their overall health." Unlike the other guards on this list, this one covers both the upper and lower teeth, "which is great so you won't wear down your teeth."But it also stops the lower jaw from falling back while you sleep. "When your jaw doesn't drop back at night, it keeps your airway more open, which should also make you less likely to grind your teeth," he says. SnoreRx is not only a boil-and-bite guard, but it is also changeable for even more customization. This means that "if you are snoring or clenching your teeth in one position, it has up to six millimeters of adjustability so the patient can find the most comfortable place to sleep for their jaw."

This VitalSleep guard is a lot like the SnoreRx in how it works. It moves your jaw and tongue forward and covers all of your upper and lower teeth. It's also a boil-and-bite device, but the company that makes it says it can be reshaped and re-adjusted more than once. Gelb says that you should only wear any of these guards that are meant to fix a breathing problem for a month before going to a doctor.

This isn't exactly a guard because it doesn't cover any teeth, but if you grind your teeth because you snore, this tongue-retention device will help keep your lungs open. "At night, it pulls the tongue forward, and when the tongue is pulled forward, it opens the airway," says Gelb. He also recommends this kind of mouthpiece for people who have big tongues or teeth.

The standard mouth guard and the tongue retainer are both in the Zyppah mouth guard. "It controls the jaw and, most of all, where the tongue is," says Gelb. The guard has a tongue strap that "works like a seatbelt and keeps your tongue from getting in the way of your breathing." The boil-and-bite technique can also be used to change this, but no other changes can be made.