How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth at Night (Beyond Just a Mouthguard)

You’re grinding your teeth in your sleep.
You wake up with jaw pain, tension headaches, and worn-down enamel.
Maybe your dentist suggested a mouthguard—and yes, that’s a great first step.

But what if grinding is a symptom, not the cause?

If you want to stop grinding your teeth at night for good, you need to go beyond just wearing a night guard.
In this post, we’ll break down what really causes nighttime grinding (bruxism)—and what to do about it step by step.

 

What Is Bruxism (And Why Does It Happen)?

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or clenching—usually while you sleep.
It’s not always loud.
It’s not always painful.
But it’s almost always a sign of imbalance—neurological, muscular, emotional, or structural.

Top root causes:

• Stress or anxiety
  
  
• Misaligned bite (malocclusion)
  
  
• TMJ dysfunction
  
  
• Poor airway posture or sleep apnea
  
  
• Gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, or medications
  

A night guard protects your teeth.
But if you want real relief? You’ve got to address the why.

Step 1: Start With a Mouthguard That Actually Helps

Most night guards just “block grinding.”
But blocking force isn't enough—you need to:

✅ Align your jaw
✅ Reduce muscle tension
✅ Support nasal breathing
✅ Encourage your nervous system to calm down

The Reviv Mouth Guard does exactly that.
It’s thin, remoldable, and designed for comfort and alignment—not just protection.

Once your jaw feels safe, your body stops fighting.

Step 2: Calm Your Nervous System Before Bed

Your jaw is one of the first places your body stores tension.

So if your brain thinks you're still in "fight or flight," it keeps your bite locked down—even while you sleep.

Try this 5-minute wind-down:

• Warm compress on cheeks or temples
  
  
• Jaw massage (slow circles near TMJ)
  
  
• Neck rolls + shoulder drops
  
  
• 4-7-8 nasal breathing
  
  
• Write down your top 3 stressors and set them aside
  

This tells your nervous system:

“It’s safe to relax.”

Step 3: Train Your Tongue + Jaw to Rest Properly

Here’s the ideal oral posture for restful sleep:

• Lips closed
  
  
• Tongue on the roof of your mouth
  
  
• Teeth slightly apart
  
  
• Jaw relaxed—not clenched
  

If your tongue drops or your mouth hangs open at night, your jaw compensates by clenching.

You can train your body to adopt the right posture with:

• Mewing light (gentle tongue posture training)
  
  
• Mouth taping (if your airway is clear and your jaw is supported)
  
  
• The Reviv Mouth Guard, which encourages mouth closure + nasal breathing
  

Step 4: Check Your Breathing (Yes, Really)

If your nose is blocked or your airway collapses during sleep:

• You start mouth breathing
  
  
• Your jaw falls open
  
  
• Your body clenches the jaw to keep the airway open
  

Bruxism is often your body’s attempt to protect you from airway collapse.

Fix this by:

• Doing a nasal rinse before bed
  
  
• Wearing nasal strips (like Breathe Right)
  
  
• Pairing nasal breathing with a supportive night guard
  
  
• Checking for undiagnosed sleep apnea (especially if you snore or gasp)
  

Step 5: Balance Your Bite + Posture

A misaligned bite causes:

• One side of your jaw to overwork
  
  
• Facial asymmetry
  
  
• Neck and shoulder tension
  
  
• Grinding to "even out" bite forces
  

Even sitting at a desk all day can cause forward head posture → jaw instability → clenching.

Fixes:

• Daily tongue + jaw awareness
  
  
• Posture resets (set hourly reminders)
  
  
• A night guard like Reviv to guide your bite into a neutral position
  
  
• See a myofunctional therapist or TMJ specialist if pain persists
  

Step 6: Manage Daytime Clenching (It Adds Up Fast)

Most grinders are also daytime clenchers.

You might not grind your teeth at 2 PM…
But that low-grade tension builds all day—and explodes at night.

Fix it with a “Jaw Check” routine:

• Every hour, ask: “Where’s my tongue? Are my teeth touching?”
  
  
• Drop your shoulders and unclench
  
  
• Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth
  
  
• Smile slightly to engage relaxed facial muscles
  

You can even wear a second Reviv Guard during high-stress times (work, driving, flying).

Step 7: Look at Lifestyle Triggers

Let’s zoom out.

Grinding often ramps up with:

• Caffeine overload
  
  
• Alcohol before bed
  
  
• Emotional suppression
  
  
• Poor sleep hygiene
  
  
• Gut dysfunction (yes—especially in kids!)
  

Support yourself by:

• Limiting stimulants after 2 PM
  
  
• Doing “body scans” to check for stored tension
  
  
• Taking magnesium glycinate before bed
  
  
• Avoiding screen overstimulation
  
  
• Addressing root stress (not just symptoms)
  

Final Thoughts: Stopping Teeth Grinding Takes More Than a Mouthguard

But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Start with:
✅ A mouthguard that aligns and supports (like Reviv)
✅ A nervous system that knows it’s safe to relax
✅ A bite and airway that function the way they’re meant to

Grinding is a signal.
When you fix what’s underneath, the clenching stops on its own.

FAQs

1. Can I really stop grinding, or will I always need a guard?
You can reduce or eliminate grinding by addressing stress, alignment, and airway issues—but a guard protects your teeth during the process.

2. What’s different about the Reviv Mouth Guard?
It’s thin, remoldable, and built for alignment—not just blocking contact. It also promotes nasal breathing and passive jaw relaxation.

3. Does daytime clenching affect nighttime grinding?
Absolutely. Your nervous system remembers. Less tension by day = less clenching by night.

4. Is mouth taping safe?
Only if your jaw is supported and your nose is clear. Always test it during the day first.

5. What if my grinding is from stress?
 Most is. That’s why you need a combo of nervous system work + jaw support.