Snore Guard vs. ZQuiet
Many people assume that in order for a mouthpiece to actually stop their snoring, they have to get the product through a dentist. After all, if a prescription is required then it must work better than one you can simply order online, right?
Well, that may be true with other products, but this is definitely not the case with anti-snoring mouthpieces. So, if you are considering Snore Guard because you think it must be superior to others, you may want to look at a few options first, especially ZQuiet – which is among my favorite mouth guards for snoring.
Comparison of Snore Guard and ZQuiet Mouthpieces
Snore Guard vs. ZQuiet
| Comparing | Snore Guard | ZQuiet |
|---|---|---|
| Device Classification | MAD | MAD |
| Fitting Process | Boil and bite or adjustment by a dentist | None |
| Cleaning | Warm water and dish soap | Toothbrush and dish soap |
| Versions | One size fits all | Two sizes |
| Price | $78.99 | $79.95 |
| My Review | Snore Guard Review | ZQuiet review |
Design
Snore Guard and ZQuiet are both classified as mandibular advancement devices, but they are very different in design. Snore Guard is made of hard plastic and keeps your mouth stationary all night. You put it in your mouth and it holds the lower jaw forward. To talk or take a drink of water it needs to be removed. It also has a fairly wide upper piece that sort of wraps around the teeth of your upper jaw.
ZQuiet also holds your lower jaw forward, but the device is made of a flexible, soft, rubber-like material. Its Living Hinge Technology allows you to open and close your mouth to speak. You can even sip water while wearing it.
Airflow Ports
Obviously, since ZQuiet allows you to move your jaws, you can also breathe through your mouth freely. Snore Guard keeps your mouth stationary, but it does have a large airflow port at the front of the device. So, regardless which mouthpiece you choose, you will be able to breathe through your mouth. This is good news for anyone with sinuses, allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum or nose injury.
Safety
Both of these anti-snoring mouthpieces have been cleared for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The one advantage that ZQuiet has in this area is that it is a well-known fact that the material used does not contain any BPA or latex. All we know about Snore Guard is that is made of a medical grade plastic.
One would want to assume that it does not include the two mentioned elements, but you would think that this would be information included on the site. You do not want BPA in your mouth all night, and you really do not want to learn that you have a latex allergy a little too late.
Maintenance and Lifespan
Snore Guard and ZQuiet are both simple to clean. With ZQuiet, you will want to use a toothbrush and mild dish detergent. The makers of Snore Guard recommend a toothbrush and toothpaste.
ZQuiet has a general lifespan, lasting 12 to 24 months. The variation is primarily dictated by whether you grind your teeth or not. Snore Guard is suggested to last anywhere from 3 to 24 months. A difference this significant really is disappointing.
Availability
If you live in Canada, you can order Snore Guard online, which makes it a convenient option. Residents of the United States are required to have a prescription. So, you have to make an appointment with your dentist to get one. This makes it more expensive. Plus, it will take longer to receive (time frame dependent on your dentist’s schedule).
ZQuiet is an affordable snoring solution. It is priced at $79.95, but you do not even have to pay this full amount upfront. You can pay $9.95 for shipping, and the device gets shipped directly to you. Then, you have 30 days to decide if you like it. If you do, simply keep using it and your credit card gets charged after the trial period. If you decide it is not for you then ship it back and you will not be charged. You have a total of 35 days to get it back to ZQuiet, so you do not have to cut the trial period short.
Fitting Process
Snore Guard uses a boil-and-bite process to achieve a custom fit. You can do this at home and it only takes a few minutes. However, your dentist may insist on taking care of the fitting for you.
ZQuiet arrives ready-to-use. Some people find it to be just a tiny bit too large. This is easily fixed by trimming the edges with scissors. You can then file any rough edges you create. This is really easy to do. I took care of my wife’s device in a matter of minutes.
Comfort
I have tried both devices and ZQuiet dominates in the comfort department. Since you are able to move your mouth, you so not suffer from that stiff feeling in the morning that some mouthpieces leave you with. Plus, it is really streamlined, so it does not take up much space in your mouth. Snore Guard was so uncomfortable; I could not even get through a week-long trial with it.
Learn more about the mouthpieces in my Zquiet review and Snore Guard review. Also, be sure to check the comparison between the highly rated SnoreRx and Zyppah.
