Night Guard vs Mouthguard vs Splint: I Tried All Three So You Don’t Have To

I’ve tried them all.
The soft boil-and-bite from the pharmacy.
The custom dentist night guard.
And the advanced TMJ splint that costs more than your phone.

This post breaks down what each one actually does, how they feel in real life, and which one saved my jaw (and sleep).

Let’s clear the confusion once and for all.

1. What’s the Actual Difference Between a Night Guard, Mouthguard, and Splint?

Short version:

Think of it like this:

• Mouthguard = helmet for your teeth
  
  
• Night guard = shock absorber between your teeth
  
  
• Splint = chiropractor for your jaw
  

 

2. My Setup: Why I Tested All Three

I didn’t start this experiment as a content writer.
I started it because I woke up every day with jaw tension, clicking, and a dull headache behind my eyes.

I ground through a cheap boil-and-bite guard in 2 weeks.
Then a dentist gave me a custom night guard ($700 later).
Finally, I tried the Reviv R2 — marketed as a TMJ and posture splint.

This post documents exactly how each worked for me.

3. Night Guard: What It’s Supposed to Do

Main job: Stop your teeth from grinding each other down while you sleep.

How it works:

• Fits over your upper or lower teeth
  
  
• Keeps your jaw slightly apart
  
  
• Prevents enamel-on-enamel destruction
  
  
• May help reduce TMJ stress
  

Use if: You wake up with jaw pain, sore teeth, or cracked dental work.

4. Night Guard: What It Actually Felt Like

✅ What worked:

• Comfortable after 2–3 nights
  
  
• No more sensitive molars
  
  
• Easy to clean
  
  
• Felt “safe” sleeping with it
  

❌ What didn’t:

• Still woke up with clenched jaw
  
  
• No change in posture or breathing
  
  
• Didn’t address root TMJ tension
  
  
• Cost $700 and no refunds
  

Bottom line: It protected my teeth, but did nothing for my jaw alignment.

5. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguard: Cheap but Limited

This was the first one I tried. I bought it at the pharmacy for $25.

✅ What worked:

• Easy to mold at home
  
  
• Decent protection for short-term use
  

❌ What didn’t:

• Bulky
  
  
• Made me drool
  
  
• Bit through it in 10 days
  
  
• Felt like chewing on a tire
  

Great for sports. Not for chronic clenching.

6. Sports Mouthguard vs Night Guard: Yes, There’s a Difference

If you wear a sports guard for sleep, prepare for jaw strain and a soggy pillow.

7. Occlusal Splint: What Is It, and Why Dentists Prescribe It

A splint is a medical device designed to:

• Reposition your jaw
  
  
• Unload the TMJ
  
  
• Reduce muscle overactivation
  
  
• Sometimes change your bite long term
  

They’re not sold at pharmacies. You get one through a dentist or a company like Reviv.

8. The Reviv R2 Splint: My Results

After 3 weeks using the Reviv R2 (nightly):

✅ Pros:

• Jaw tension down 70%
  
  
• Neck stiffness gone
  
  
• Zero drooling
  
  
• Felt “centered” and more relaxed during the day
  
  
• My sleep improved — deeper, longer
  
  
• Looksmaxxing bonus: jawline looked sharper
  

❌ Cons:

• Weird the first night
  
  
• Took 5 days to stop waking up mid-sleep
  
  
• Expensive for an “off-the-shelf” device — but worth it
  

Verdict: Most effective device I tried.

👉 For the full guide: Mouthguard 101: Types, Uses, and What Actually Changes Your Face

 

9. Which One Helps with TMJ?

Best pick: Splint
Why: It addresses joint position, not just tooth protection.

Night guards can sometimes help TMJ, but in my case, they were passive — like wearing a seatbelt without adjusting the car seat.

10. Which One Stops Clenching?

I clench more than grind.

• Mouthguard? No change.
  
  
• Night guard? Some relief.
  
  
• Reviv splint? Reduced clenching dramatically — especially day clenching.
  

Turns out, positioning matters more than cushioning.

11. Which One Improves Sleep?

The surprise benefit of the Reviv R2 splint was better sleep.

• Less waking up
  
  
• Reduced snoring (partner confirmed)
  
  
• Fewer headaches in the morning
  
  
• Felt more alert during the day
  

Night guard didn’t do that.

12. Which One Helps with Looks / Posture?

I’m skeptical of any product promising “face change.”
But…

After 30 nights with Reviv R2:

• My smile was more symmetrical
  
  
• I stopped favoring one chewing side
  
  
• Neck relaxed, shoulders dropped
  
  
• My resting face looked more “unlocked”
  

No guard or splint will change bone.
But muscles and posture? That’s fair game.

13. Comfort Comparison (Real Talk)

 

14. Cleaning & Durability

• Boil-and-bite = 10 days before trash
  
  
• Dentist guard = 2 years (if cared for)
  
  
• Reviv = still going strong after 3 months with no wear signs
  

15. Cost Breakdown

Value per dollar: Reviv wins for me — cheaper than dentist, way more effective than drugstore.

16. Internal Links to Check Out

• TMJ Relief: Why Traditional Treatments Fail
  
  
• How to Use a TMJ Mouthguard Correctly
  
  
• Do Night Guards Help with Clenching?
  
  
• Mouthguard Myths Debunked
  

17. My Final Verdict

If your only issue is grinding your teeth at night, a night guard will do.

If your problem is TMJ pain, clenching, posture issues, or you want deeper relief, go for a splint like the Reviv R2.

Don’t waste 6 months like I did testing things — the right device can change your day, your sleep, and even your mood.

18. 10 FAQs About Mouthguards, Night Guards, and Splints

Q1: Can a night guard stop clenching?
Sometimes — it can reduce damage but won’t stop the habit. A splint may reduce clenching reflexes more effectively.

Q2: What’s the best mouthguard for TMJ?
A properly fitted TMJ splint — ideally one that repositions the jaw slightly forward and reduces muscle strain.

Q3: Can mouthguards change your bite?
Only if poorly made or worn excessively when not intended. Splints may adjust muscle tension but don’t move teeth unless designed to.

Q4: How do I clean my mouthguard?
Use cold water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush daily. Don’t use toothpaste — it scratches. Deep clean weekly with a denture tablet.

Q5: Can I wear a night guard with veneers or braces?
Yes, but use custom options. Off-the-shelf guards might not fit or may damage dental work.

Q6: Do splints help with headaches?
Absolutely. By relaxing jaw muscles, splints can reduce tension-type headaches related to TMJ.

Q7: How long do mouthguards last?
Boil-and-bite: weeks. Custom night guards: 1–3 years. Reviv: varies, but 6–12 months or more with proper care.

Q8: What if my night guard falls out at night?
Bad fit. Remold or replace. Your guard should stay in without biting down.

Q9: Do insurance plans cover mouthguards?
Sometimes — usually only if prescribed for medical reasons (TMJ, bruxism). Splints may be more likely to be reimbursed.

Q10: Can a mouthguard improve your posture?
Surprisingly, yes — if it repositions the jaw, relaxes the neck, and changes how your head rests. It’s subtle, but real.

19. Call to Action

Want to skip the confusion and get a splint that actually works?
The Reviv R2 changed how I sleep, clench, and carry myself — no dentist required.

Try it yourself here:
👉 Get the Reviv Mouthguard

20. Summary: What I Learned After Trying All Three

• A night guard protects teeth.
  
  
• A mouthguard protects during sports.
  
  
• A splint fixes the problem at the source — tension, jaw misalignment, posture.
  

I’ll never go back.
The right splint made me pain-free, alert, and finally at ease in my own jaw.

Try one.
Track your results.
And stop grinding through life.

Encourage readers to buy Reviv Mouthguard or other Reviv products by clicking Here.