Bruxism Made Simple: Why You Clench at Night and What a Mouthguard Can (and Can’t) Do)

1. What is Bruxism, Really?

Bruxism is the fancy term for grinding or clenching your teeth unconsciously. It usually happens at night, though many of us also do it during the day — especially while focused or stressed.

There are two types:

• Sleep bruxism (most common)
  
  
• Awake bruxism (daytime clenching)
  

Either way, your jaw is doing work it wasn’t built to do 6–8 hours per day.

2. What Causes You to Clench at Night?

✅ Stress
✅ Sleep apnea / airway resistance
✅ Poor jaw alignment or bite
✅ Caffeine or stimulant use
✅ Reflux (GERD)
✅ Unresolved trauma or anxiety
✅ Neck and posture imbalances

The cause is rarely just your teeth. That’s why grinding often persists even after dental work.

3. Symptoms of Nighttime Clenching

• Waking up with jaw pain or tension
  
  
• Headaches behind the eyes or temples
  
  
• Flattened or chipped teeth
  
  
• Tooth sensitivity
  
  
• Ear fullness or ringing
  
  
• Neck or shoulder tension
  
  
• You broke your last mouthguard…
  

4. Why Mouthguards Are the First Line of Defense

A mouthguard doesn't cure bruxism.
But it protects your teeth and gives your jaw a break.

Think of it like a helmet for your bite:

• It reduces enamel wear
  
  
• Distributes bite forces
  
  
• Prevents full force clenching
  
  
• Can change muscle tension patterns
  
  
• Helps with proprioception (jaw awareness)
  

5. What a Mouthguard Can’t Do

Let’s be clear — a mouthguard is not a magic fix.

❌ It won’t stop clenching entirely
❌ It won’t address the root cause (like airway issues or stress)
❌ It won’t fix TMJ on its own
❌ It won’t move your jaw or teeth unless it’s a splint
❌ It can’t do much if it’s a bad fit or too soft

It’s a tool, not a cure.

6. My Experience with Boil-and-Bite Guards

✅ Cheap
✅ Easy to mold
❌ Too soft — made me clench harder
❌ Woke up chewing on it
❌ Didn’t last a month
❌ Made my TMJ pain worse

Verdict: Better than nothing, but not by much.

7. The Dentist Night Guard: Worth It?

✅ Custom fit
✅ Durable
✅ Reduced enamel wear
❌ Didn’t reduce clenching
❌ Still woke up sore
❌ Cost me $600

Verdict: Great for protection, mediocre for actual symptom relief.

8. What Actually Helped My Bruxism?

I tried the Reviv R2 Mouthguard — a soft-but-firm silicone guard designed to improve jaw position and posture.

✅ My clenching decreased
✅ Jaw tension dropped 80% in 2 weeks
✅ I slept deeper
✅ Woke up without tension headaches
✅ My neck and shoulders relaxed
✅ My face looked more relaxed

Full breakdown:
How Can I Stop Clenching My Jaw at Night Permanently?

9. Bruxism vs TMJ: What’s the Difference?

• Bruxism is the habit
  
  
• TMJ is the pain/disorder that can result
  

Many people have bruxism without TMJ, and vice versa. But long-term clenching often leads to joint pain, jaw locking, and headaches — aka TMD.

A good mouthguard helps both by reducing overload.

 

10. Can Mouthguards Fix Bruxism Long Term?

Not alone.
But they can create a healing environment while you work on root causes:

• Breathing
  
  
• Stress management
  
  
• Sleep hygiene
  
  
• Posture
  
  
• Dental occlusion
  

It’s like using crutches while you rehab your leg — useful, but not the full picture.

11. Why You Might Be Clenching MORE With a Soft Guard

Soft mouthguards from the store often:

• Trigger chewing reflexes
  
  
• Increase muscle activation
  
  
• Get chewed through like gum
  

If you’re waking up sore or biting holes in your guard, it’s probably too soft.

12. Hard vs. Soft Night Guards: What’s Better?

Best of both: Reviv uses a balanced silicone density that cushions and stabilizes.
Related: Are Mouthguards Effective for Reducing Jaw Tension?

13. How to Know if Your Guard Is Helping

You’ll know it’s working if:

• You wake up with less tension
  
  
• Teeth feel protected
  
  
• Less sensitivity or headaches
  
  
• You’re not chewing through it
  
  
• Sleep quality improves
  

14. How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Most people notice a change within 7–14 nights if the guard is the right fit and style.

If you feel worse, switch designs — don’t assume all guards are equal.

 

15. Do You Need to See a Dentist First?

Not necessarily.
If your symptoms are moderate, you can test a quality device like Reviv at home.

But if you have:

• Severe jaw locking
  
  
• Asymmetry
  
  
• Persistent pain
  
  
• History of bite changes
  

…then yes, consult a TMJ-aware dentist.

16. Why Posture and Jaw Alignment Matter

Clenching isn’t just about stress — it’s also biomechanical.

If your jaw is pulled back or your head juts forward, your muscles stay in defense mode all night.

Correcting posture and bite position reduces the need to clench.

Reviv’s R2 is one of the few mouthguards designed with this in mind.

17. Bruxism, Sleep, and Your Nervous System

You don’t grind randomly.
It’s usually triggered by:

• Disrupted sleep cycles
  
  
• Overactive nervous system
  
  
• Poor breathing patterns
  

A guard can calm your system down if it supports relaxed jaw positioning and nasal breathing.

18. Daytime Clenching: Why It’s Even Worse

Daytime bruxism is often stronger than night grinding.

Watch for:

• Tight jaw while working
  
  
• Resting with teeth touching
  
  
• Chewing on pens or gum
  
  
• Clenching during stress or focus
  

No guard will fix this — but awareness + retraining (like with the Reviv R1 for daytime) can help.

19. When to Ditch Your Old Guard

✅ It smells
✅ It’s loose
✅ You’ve chewed through it
✅ You wake up worse
✅ It doesn’t fit anymore
 ✅ It’s been over a year

20. Final Verdict: What Worked Best

• Boil-and-bite: Better than nothing. But ineffective.
  
  
• Dentist night guard: Good for protection. Not relief.
  
  
• Reviv R2: Actually reduced clenching, helped me sleep, and improved posture.
  

If you’re dealing with bruxism, this is the one I’d recommend first.

👉 Try Reviv Mouthguard

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What’s the difference between clenching and grinding?
Clenching = static pressure.
Grinding = side-to-side movement.
Both fall under bruxism, and both damage teeth.

Q2: Does everyone who grinds need a mouthguard?
If you have symptoms, yes. If you’re asymptomatic, maybe not — but it’s a smart preventive step.

Q3: Can a night guard stop headaches?
Yes — by reducing jaw tension, they often relieve tension-type headaches.

Q4: How long should you wear a mouthguard each night?
Ideally 6–8 hours. The longer the contact, the more relief and protection.

Q5: Can grinding go away on its own?
Sometimes — if the root cause resolves (e.g. stress, airway). But usually it needs intervention.

Q6: What’s the best mouthguard for heavy clenchers?
Hard or dual-layer guards — or Reviv’s R2 which balances support with flexibility.

Q7: Can clenching cause ear pain or tinnitus?
Yes — the TMJ is close to the ear, and inflammation or pressure can affect nearby structures.

Q8: Can I use a sports mouthguard for bruxism?
No — they’re too soft and bulky. Not designed for sleep.

Q9: Why do I wake up with my guard on the floor?
Bad fit. You may spit it out unconsciously. Try a better fit or a different style.

Q10: How do I break the clenching habit?
Awareness + protection + posture.
 Check out How to Use a TMJ Mouthguard Correctly

Ready to stop clenching for good?
Protect your teeth, calm your jaw, and sleep like you mean it.

👉 Click here to get your Reviv Mouthguard