Night Guards, Mouthguards & Splints: Which One Does What – And Do You Need One?

Some are available on the shelf in shops, and others need to be custom designed for your mouth. Knowing when you can use one and when you really need the other is an important part of caring for your teeth.

In this guide, we’re looking at the differences between night guards, mouthguards and splints so that you can decide which one is right for you.

What is a night guard?

A night guard is commonly used to help keep your jaw in the correct position when you sleep to help address conditions like sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction and bruxism. You can often buy these in shops that are suitable for moulding to the shape of your teeth at home, but a custom one will be much better.

A night guard is commonly recommended if you grind your teeth at night, or if you have sleep issues related to your breathing. You’ll wear this while you sleep, so it’s helpful to get one made that is customised to your mouth. This will ensure a perfect fit and avoid any discomfort.

What is a splint?

A dental splint is a removable apparatus that you usually wear at night. This is a custom appliance designed to hold your teeth in a specific position at night. This could be to help align your jaw correctly and make it easier for you to breathe, or it could be to prevent you from grinding your teeth together when you sleep.

These are typically professional apparatus that are made specifically for your mouth. Since they need to keep your jaw in a specific position, it’s nearly always a custom appliance made in a lab using impressions of your teeth.

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard commonly refers to a sports mouthguard, or a gum shield. This is a protecting guard worn while you play sports, particularly contact sports. It helps to protect your teeth from injury.

While it cannot protect you from impact to the face, it can help to save your teeth from impact to your jaw that could force your mouth closed. It can also help to prevent injury to your tongue. 

These can be custom made for your mouth, or you can buy a generic mouthguard that you heat up at home and then bite into. The material softens so that it takes on the shape of your teeth, and then cools down, holding the shape.

Which is right for me?

Choosing between a night guard, mouthguard and a splint will often be easier with the help of your dentist. First, you need to identify the reason for the apparatus. If you need it for protecting your teeth and mouth during sports, the only option will be a mouthguard, but a splint or night guard might be suitable for conditions like bruxism or sleep apnea.

If you will be wearing the appliance at night, it’s important that you choose one that is safe and perfectly fitted to your teeth. This will prevent the appliance from coming loose while you are sleeping.

You should also make sure you know how to spot the signs of wear and tear, as this could indicate that your appliance is no longer working and that it needs to be replaced. This is relevant for both sports mouthguards and night splints. 

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