Best Over-the-Counter Snoring Mouthguards: 2025 Buyer’s Guide & Top Picks
Table of Contents
What Are Over-the-Counter Snoring Mouthguards?
Snoring mouthguards are things you buy without a doctor note. They go in your mouth at night. They help stop the loud snoring sounds when you sleep. These mouth tools move your jaw or hold your tongue to keep air paths open.
The big plus is that they cost less than machines with masks that doctors give. Many people like them for mild snoring troubles.
How They Work
Snoring mouthguards work in two main ways:
- Jaw Moving Devices: These push your jaw a bit forward. This makes more room in your throat for air to go through.
- Tongue Holders: These keep your tongue from falling back when you sleep.
When you snore, it happens because parts in your mouth and throat block air. These mouth tools fix that by making more space for air.
These help with:
- Just snoring (the noise)
- Mild sleep stops (when you stop breathing a bit)
But they do not work for:
- Bad sleep stops (when you stop breathing a lot)
If you stop breathing a lot at night, you need a doctor. You might need a big machine that pushes air in your nose.
Types of OTC Mouthguards
You can buy four kinds of snoring mouthguards in stores:
Boil-and-Bite
- You heat them in hot water
- You bite down to make them fit your teeth
- Example: SnoreRx
Pre-Molded
- Ready to use right away
- No need to shape them
- Example: Zyppah
Adjustable
- Let you move your jaw a little bit at a time
- Good if you need time to get used to them
- Example: VitalSleep
Good and Bad Points
| Type | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Boil-and-Bite | Fits better | Takes time to set up |
| Pre-Molded | Fast to use | May not fit well |
| Adjustable | Can change bit by bit | Costs more |
How to Choose
Picking the right snoring mouthguard is big. Look at:
Fit
The mold must match your teeth well. Some use two kinds of plastic for better fit.
What It’s Made Of
Look for:
- No BPA (bad stuff)
- Soft but strong plastic
Can You Move It?
Ones you can change feel better. You can make small changes until it feels right.
Is It OK’d?
Look for marks that say it’s safe:
- FDA-cleared (USA)
- CE-marked (Europe)
Top 5 OTC Picks for 2025
Based on tests, these are the best snoring mouthguards you can buy now:
1. SnoreRx Plus
- Best Part: You can move it in tiny bits
- FDA says it’s OK
- Lasts about 11-15 months
2. Zquiet
- Best Part: Ready to use, no hot water needed
- Lets you talk and drink water
- Comes in two sizes
3. VitalSleep
- Best Part: Sizes for men and women
- Can move side to side too
- Big air holes help if you breathe through mouth
4. Good Morning Snore Solution
- Best Part: Holds tongue, not jaw
- Good if your jaw hurts with other kinds
- Easy to clean
5. PureSleep
- Best Part: Costs less
- You can pick jaw spot before you bite
- Ships fast
How to Use & Keep Clean
Fitting Steps:
- Heat in hot water (for bite kinds)
- Bite down on soft plastic
- Put in cold water to set
- Trim extra bits if needed
Cleaning:
- Use special cleaning tabs
- Or brush with toothbrush (not toothpaste)
- Rinse well and dry
How Long They Last:
Most last 6-12 months before you need a new one
Common Worries
Side Effects:
- Jaw may feel sore (91% of users see less snoring but some get sore)
- You might drool more (23% of users)
- Might gag at first (15% of users)
These problems often go away as you get used to it.
Not Working?
If your mouthguard isn’t helping:
- Check if it fits right
- Try a new kind
- Talk to a teeth doctor or sleep doctor
Questions People Ask
Can OTC mouthguards treat sleep stops?
They can help with mild cases where you stop breathing a bit. For bad cases, you need a doctor and maybe a CPAP air machine.
Are they safe if your jaw clicks?
No. If your jaw hurts or clicks (TMJ issues), talk to a teeth doctor first. You might need a custom sleep apnea mouth guard made just for you.
Do they work as well as doctor ones?
Not quite. The ones from a doctor fit better. But store ones help many people and cost much less.
How do I know if I need one?
If you snore and it bugs you or the person you sleep with, you might try one. If you wake up tired or stop breathing in your sleep, see a doctor first.
Can I use them with fake teeth?
Most work with your own teeth. If you have some fake teeth, ask your teeth doctor. You might need a hard night guard that’s made for you.
Other Ways to Stop Snoring
If mouthguards don’t help or you don’t like them, try:
- Nose Strips: Stick on your nose to open it more
- Sleep on Side: Less snoring than on back
- Lose Weight: Less neck fat means less snoring
- No Drinks Before Bed: Alcohol makes snoring worse
- Mouth Exercises: Make throat muscles strong (40% better with these plus mouthguards)
Find Out More
Want to learn more? You can look at:
- Custom sports mouth guard info if you also play sports
- Facts about teeth whitening mouth guards that can make teeth white while you sleep
Sum Up
Over-the-counter snoring mouthguards help many people stop snoring. They cost less than doctor ones and work for mild snoring.
The best picks for 2025 are SnoreRx Plus, Zquiet, VitalSleep, Good Morning Snore Solution, and PureSleep.
Pick one that fits well, is made of safe stuff, and can be changed. If you have big snoring or stop breathing at night, see a doctor first.
With the right mouthguard, you (and who you sleep with) can rest better!
