You’ve been told you need “a mouthguard”, but nobody said which kind. Maybe it’s for footy training, maybe your partner hears you grinding at night, or maybe a doctor has mentioned snoring. They can all get called a mouthguard, yet they do quite different jobs.
Here’s the short answer. A sports mouthguard soaks up the force of a knock to the face. An occlusal splint (often called a night guard) protects your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. A sleep apnoea oral appliance is something else again: healthdirect lists it as a treatment fitted by your dentist, usually after a doctor has looked into your sleep. Clear Choice Dental offers custom mouthguards at both its Maddington and Yokine clinics, so the first step is telling the team what you need protection from.
What is a sports mouthguard actually for?
A sports mouthguard is there to protect your teeth, lips and jaw if you take a hit. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) explains that it works by absorbing and spreading the impact of a knock to the face, and that you need to wear it at training as well as on game day.
It isn’t only for rugby or AFL. The ADA lists cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skateboarding and soccer as sports that can also damage teeth and the mouth. So if your child plays netball on Saturdays, that counts.
Custom-made or from the chemist?
The ADA says store-bought mouthguards often fit poorly, which can make them loose and make talking and breathing difficult. It also says they do not provide the same level of protection as a custom-made mouthguard. “Boil-and-bite” guards are shaped at home, and the ADA notes that this process can leave some parts thinner than others.
For a custom guard, the ADA recommends a check-up first to make sure no other dental treatment is needed. The dentist then takes a mould or 3D scan of your teeth, and the guard is made to fit firmly around your teeth and gums.
What is an occlusal splint, or night guard?
An occlusal splint is a custom-made appliance that protects your teeth from the wear and damage caused by grinding and clenching. The name trips a lot of people up, so here’s how the ADA puts it:
“An occlusal splint is also sometimes called a bite splint, night guard or night mouthguard.”
Australian Dental Association, Teeth grinding, accessed 29 October 2026.
The ADA describes a splint as hard plastic that fits over the upper or lower teeth. It covers only part of the teeth, doesn’t cover the gums, and is different to a sports mouthguard. That’s why an old sports guard from the cupboard isn’t a stand-in for a night guard, or the other way round.
A splint protects your teeth, but it won’t switch off the grinding
The ADA says a splint will not stop you from grinding, but it can take away some of the signs and symptoms. It also says not everyone who grinds or clenches needs an occlusal splint. Healthdirect agrees that not everybody who grinds their teeth needs treatment.
So if you’re expecting a night guard to fix the habit, it’s worth knowing up front that its job is protection. Healthdirect describes other approaches that may sit alongside it, such as reducing stress and anxiety, good sleep habits, avoiding stimulants and caffeine, physiotherapy for jaw muscle pain, and dental treatment to repair damaged teeth. It suggests talking to your dentist or doctor about your options and their benefits and risks.
Signs you might be grinding
You may not know you grind in your sleep. The ADA says people often only find out because a partner tells them, or because of symptoms. Signs it lists include:
- fractured, chipped or loose teeth
- a dull headache, sore jaws or ear pain
- aching teeth and stiffness in the face and temples, especially in the morning
- generally sensitive teeth
- multiple cracked or broken fillings
These are reasons to book an examination. They don’t prove grinding is the cause, and your dentist will want to look before suggesting anything.
Where do snoring and sleep apnoea fit in?
This is where the word “mouthguard” causes the most confusion. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a breathing problem during sleep. Healthdirect explains that the airway is partly or completely blocked at times, which can cause short pauses in breathing.
Healthdirect lists wearing an oral appliance (a splinting device) fitted by your dentist as one treatment that helps keep the airway open. Diagnosis is a medical step, though. Healthdirect says your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you, and you may need a referral for an overnight sleep study.
Grinding and sleep apnoea can be connected. The ADA says sleep bruxism can be linked to obstructive sleep apnoea and your dentist may recommend you be checked for it, which may mean a referral to a sleep physician or your GP. Healthdirect says the same: if your dentist finds sleep bruxism, they may refer you to a doctor to be checked for sleep apnoea.
In plain terms, a night guard for grinding isn’t a sleep apnoea treatment, and it doesn’t mean a sleep condition has been ruled in or out. If you snore loudly, wake up gasping or feel tired after sleeping, mention it to your GP as well as to your dentist.
Sports guard, night guard or sleep appliance: how do they compare?
| Appliance | What it’s for, and what it can’t do |
|---|---|
| Sports mouthguard | Absorbs and spreads the force of a knock to the face, worn at training and on game day (ADA). It isn’t made to manage grinding. |
| Occlusal splint (night guard) | Protects teeth from wear and damage from grinding and clenching while you sleep (ADA). It won’t stop the grinding itself. |
| Sleep apnoea oral appliance | Helps keep the airway open during sleep, fitted by your dentist (healthdirect). A doctor assesses sleep apnoea first, often with a sleep study. |
How long does a mouthguard last?
There isn’t one date that suits everybody. The ADA says that if a sports mouthguard is used, stored and fit-checked by your dentist, it can last multiple sporting seasons as long as you are no longer growing. Clear Choice Dental’s mouthguard pages give a shorter rule of thumb: most custom mouthguards last six months to a year, and longer with good care and storage.
Those two views aren’t really in conflict. The ADA figure assumes regular fit checks and an adult mouth, while the clinic’s guide covers everyday wear and tear. Children’s mouths keep changing, so a guard that fitted at the start of the season may not fit at the end. Either way, the answer comes from having it checked.
For a splint, the ADA says to take it to your routine dental examinations so your dentist can make sure it is still working properly. If it no longer fits, has bent out of shape, or is worn or broken, it will need replacing. Dental work that changes the shape of a tooth, such as a crown, may also mean the splint needs adjusting or replacing.
How should you look after each one?
Follow the instructions for your own appliance, because the care is a little different.
| Appliance | Cleaning and storage (ADA) |
|---|---|
| Sports mouthguard | Wash it in cool or warm water. Store it dry in a protective case, out of direct sunlight, and write your name on the guard and its case. |
| Occlusal splint | Brush inside and outside with soft liquid soap, a spare toothbrush and cool water. Keep it dry in a protective case and bring it to your check-ups so the fit can be checked. |
What to bring to your appointment
You don’t need to know which appliance you need before you book. This checklist just helps the dentist understand what’s going on.
- Any guard or splint you already have, plus its case and any instructions you were given.
- The sports you or your child play, and whether the guard is for training, games or both.
- Any symptoms you’ve noticed: jaw soreness, morning headaches, sensitive or chipped teeth, broken fillings.
- Whether anyone has noticed you grinding, snoring, or pausing in your breathing at night.
- Any sleep assessment or referral you’ve already had from your GP.
- A list of your current medicines and recent dental work.
If you’re short on time before a season starts, mention the date when you book. It helps with planning, but it isn’t a promise the guard can be ready by then.
Booking at Clear Choice Dental in Maddington or Yokine
Clear Choice Dental offers custom mouthguards at Maddington and Yokine. The Yokine clinic also has a page on TMD (jaw joint) treatment if jaw pain is part of the picture. The mouthguard pages say the dentist can give an exact quote for a custom guard at your check-up, so ask what the appointment and the guard each include.
- Maddington: 3/1909 Albany Highway, Maddington. Call (08) 9452 8877. Open Monday to Saturday; Saturday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Yokine: 17/162 Wanneroo Road, Yokine. Call (08) 9345 0455. Open Monday to Saturday, with Wednesday hours until 7:00 PM.
When you call, you could say: “I’d like to book a check-up and talk about a mouthguard. It’s for netball, but I also think I might grind my teeth at night.” That gives the team both concerns in one go.
Full opening hours are on the contact page. If you’re also wondering how check-up costs work, our article on Medicare and dental check-ups covers what’s funded and what isn’t.
Sources
Sources checked 29 October 2026. This article explains published general guidance, not personal advice. Your dentist or doctor can tell you what suits your situation.
- Australian Dental Association: Sports mouthguards.
- Australian Dental Association: Teeth grinding (bruxism) and occlusal splints.
- Healthdirect: Teeth grinding (bruxism), last reviewed October 2023.
- Healthdirect: Obstructive sleep apnoea, last reviewed June 2024.
- Clear Choice Dental: Custom mouthguards in Maddington, Mouthguards in Yokine and Contact us.
