Mouthguard vs. Medication: What’s the Best Way to Prevent Jaw Clenching?

If you're clenching your jaw at night, you’ve likely heard two common “fixes”:

• Pop a muscle relaxer or anti-anxiety med
  
  
• Wear a mouthguard to stop the damage
  

But here’s the question no one really answers:

Which one actually stops the clenching—and which one just covers it up?

I’ve tested both. I’ve talked to dentists, doctors, and TMJ specialists. And I’ve lived the consequences of choosing the wrong solution.

This guide will break down the pros, cons, risks, and real effectiveness of medication vs. mouthguards—and which one actually helps your body stop clenching.

1. The Real Problem: Your Body Is Trying to Protect Itself

Let’s start here:

Jaw clenching (aka sleep bruxism) isn’t random. It’s your body trying to:

• Open your airway
  
  
• Stabilize your bite
  
  
• Offload unresolved stress
  
  
• Compensate for poor posture or breathing patterns
  

Medication numbs the signal.
Mouthguards—when designed right—support the system.

2. What Medications Are Prescribed for Jaw Clenching?

You may be prescribed:

• Muscle relaxers (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, baclofen)
  
  
• Anti-anxiety meds (e.g., SSRIs, benzos)
  
  
• Tricyclic antidepressants
  
  
• Botox (yes, it’s a drug—injectable)
  

These work by:

• Blunting nerve signals
  
  
• Reducing muscle activity
  
  
• Sedating your nervous system
  

But here’s the catch: they don’t address why you're clenching.

3. The Risks of Medications

Let’s be blunt:

✅ May provide short-term symptom relief
❌ Come with real trade-offs

Common side effects:

• Daytime fatigue
  
  
• Brain fog
  
  
• Dependency or tolerance
  
  
• Worsened sleep architecture
  
  
• And ironically? Some antidepressants can cause clenching as a side effect
  

4. What Do Mouthguards Actually Do?

A good mouthguard:

• Prevents enamel damage
  
  
• Reduces pressure on the TMJ
  
  
• Guides your jaw into a decompressed, supported position
  

But not all guards are created equal.

Hard acrylic dental splints can:

• Increase clenching force
  
  
• Lock your bite into poor alignment
  
  
• Cost you upwards of $900
  

Which is why I switched to Reviv.

Explore the details: What’s the Difference Between Reviv and Regular Mouthguards?

5. How Reviv Works (and Why It Outperforms Medication for Most People)

Reviv is a heat-fit, self-molded mouthguard that supports the bite—without locking it in place.

It’s engineered to:

✅ Absorb clenching force
✅ Guide your jaw into natural alignment
✅ Allow micro-movement to decompress the joint
✅ Support muscle relaxation without chemicals

And unlike meds, it doesn’t mess with your nervous system or require a prescription.

6. When Might Medication Be Helpful?

To be fair, meds aren’t always the enemy.

✅ If your clenching is rooted in trauma, panic attacks, or a serious neurological disorder
✅ If you need short-term relief during a flare-up
✅ If you’re in so much pain you can’t sleep

…but even then, meds should be a bridge, not the foundation.

7. Mouth Guard + Nervous System Support = Long-Term Win

The best long-term approach:

• Wear Reviv at night to offload pressure
  
  
• Use breathwork (like 4-7-8 breathing) to downshift into parasympathetic
  
  
• Fix your oral posture during the day
  
  
• Support with magnesium and nasal breathing
  

This combo reprograms your jaw and brain to stop clenching—naturally.

For more, see: 10 Proven Techniques to Stop Clenching at Night

8. What About Botox?

It’s a trendy option. But here’s the truth:

• Botox paralyzes your masseter muscles
  
  
• Temporarily reduces force
  
  
• But doesn’t address alignment, airway, or nervous system triggers
  

Once it wears off, clenching usually returns—sometimes worse.

9. What Dentists and TMJ Specialists Say

Most progressive TMJ clinicians now recommend:

• Soft, flexible bite appliances
  
  
• Oral posture correction
  
  
• Lifestyle and airway support
  
  
• Tracking tension patterns
  

And they often warn against:

• Overtight splints
  
  
• Unsupervised meds
  
  
• Ignoring airway dysfunction
  

Want to know if your bite is part of the problem? Read: Can Improving Bite Alignment Help with Back Pain?

10. My Verdict: Use a Mouthguard, Not Medication

Here’s what worked for me:

✅ Reviv every night
✅ Magnesium glycinate before bed
✅ Breathing drills and mouth tape
✅ Jaw massage + posture correction

No side effects. No groggy mornings. No dependence.

Just better sleep. Less tension. And a jaw that finally stopped clenching.

FAQs: Medication vs. Mouthguard for Jaw Clenching

1. Will medication stop clenching completely?
Usually not. It may reduce symptoms, but doesn't address biomechanics or airway issues.

2. Is it safe to use both a mouthguard and medication?
Yes—if prescribed. But most people do better with Reviv + natural nervous system support.

3. How is Reviv different from a dental splint?
It’s flexible, remoldable at home, and doesn't lock your bite in place.

4. Can meds make clenching worse?
Yes. Some antidepressants are known to trigger or worsen bruxism.

5. Does Reviv work for clenching and grinding?
Yes. It absorbs pressure and protects both the teeth and the joint.

6. Can I eventually stop using Reviv?
 Many users taper off once alignment and oral posture are retrained—but it's safe to wear long-term.

Conclusion

Medication masks symptoms.
Reviv supports your body to fix the problem.

If you’re serious about stopping jaw clenching, start with biomechanics—not Band-Aids.

Click Here to get your Reviv Mouthguard today—and give your jaw a real chance to rest, recover, and reset.