If you’ve been waking up with a sore jaw and your dentist has provided gentle feedback on the state of your teeth (read: you’ve been grinding them to a pulp!), it might be time to talk to look into the right over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguard to save your smile — and sanity.

While the experts we consulted agree OTC options don’t replace professional-grade, custom mouthguards made from the exact impressions of your teeth, they do serve a purpose.

“As a dentist, I typically do not recommend OTC mouthguards for patients unless they are for very short-term use,” said Dr. Anjali Rajpal , a cosmetic dentist and owner of Beverly Hills Dental Arts . “For those with jaw pain, significant grinding or sleep issues, an OTC mouthguard may help very temporarily, but a custom nightguard designed by a dentist is the safer long-term option.”

According to Dr.…