What Is Bruxism, Really? The Difference Between Clenching and Grinding

You wake up with jaw tension.
Your teeth feel sensitive.
You might even have a headache sitting behind your eyes.

So you Google it… and land on a scary word:

Bruxism.

But what is bruxism really?
And are you actually grinding… or clenching?

Because yes—there’s a difference.
And if you’re treating one like the other, you might be making your jaw worse.

Let’s break down:

• What bruxism actually means
  
  
• How clenching and grinding differ
  
  
• What they each do to your body and face
  
  
• And how to manage both (without the bulk or dentist bills)
  

🧠 Bruxism = Jaw Overuse While You’re Not Chewing

Bruxism is the involuntary activation of jaw muscles—usually while you're asleep or under stress.

There are two main types:

1. Sleep bruxism — Happens while you're asleep. Often undetected.
   
   
2. Awake bruxism — Happens during the day, usually during focus or stress.
   

And within both types, there are two behaviors:

🔄 Clenching vs Grinding: What’s the Difference?

So if you:

• Don’t hear grinding sounds
  
  
• Wake up sore
  
  
• Don’t have visibly flattened teeth
  

…you might be clenching, not grinding.

But both fall under the bruxism umbrella.

😬 What Bruxism Does Over Time

• Wears down enamel
  
  
• Displaces your bite
  
  
• Stresses the TMJ joint
  
  
• Creates facial puffiness or asymmetry
  
  
• Causes tension headaches
  
  
• Can affect posture and sleep
  
  
• Worsens facial aging by overworking muscles
  

This isn’t just a dental issue—it’s a full-body tension pattern.

🤔 Why Do We Clench or Grind?

Common triggers include:

• Stress or anxiety (even subconscious)
  
  
• Poor tongue posture
  
  
• Mouth breathing
  
  
• TMJ instability
  
  
• Sleep disorders or airway restriction
  
  
• Medication side effects (like SSRIs)
  
  
• Bite misalignment
  
  
• Lack of jaw support while sleeping
  

Clenching is often your body trying to stabilize a jaw that feels unsafe or unsupported.

✅ How to Tell Which One You’re Doing

Signs of Clenching:

• Jaw soreness on waking
  
  
• Tension in temples and neck
  
  
• Teeth feel tight, but not chipped
  
  
• Face feels swollen or tight
  
  
• No one hears anything at night
  
  
• You clench while working, driving, or focused
  

Signs of Grinding:

• Flattened, chipped, or fractured teeth
  
  
• Gum recession
  
  
• Clicking or popping in the jaw
  
  
• Tooth sensitivity
  
  
• Partners hear it
  
  
• Often worse during deep sleep stages
  

🛠 How to Manage Bruxism (The Smart Way)

Step 1: Use a Mouthguard That Decompresses

Most over-the-counter guards just protect teeth.
They don’t stop the behavior.
Some even make it worse by locking your jaw into tension.

Reviv is different.

It’s designed to:

• Retrain your bite into the aesthetic rest position
  
  
• Reduce clenching force
  
  
• Allow micro-movement (instead of grinding)
  
  
• Support nasal breathing
  
  
• Keep your lips sealed and your jaw relaxed
  
  
• Be worn at night and during high-clench daytime moments
  

🛒 Start with Reviv here

Step 2: Breathe Through Your Nose

Mouth breathing destabilizes your jaw.
Nasal breathing restores natural rest posture and calms your nervous system.

Use:

• Mouth tape at night
  
  
• Nasal strips
  
  
• Reviv to keep the jaw supported while training the tongue up
  

Step 3: Do a Clench Check 3x a Day

Ask yourself:

• Are my teeth touching?
  
  
• Is my tongue up?
  
  
• Is my jaw relaxed?
  

If not, reset:
 Lips closed. Teeth apart. Tongue up.

Step 4: Calm Your Nervous System

Clenching = survival mode.
Even if you're asleep.

Try:

• Magnesium glycinate
  
  
• Box breathing
  
  
• Gentle jaw massage
  
  
• Wearing Reviv 15–30 min during stressful work
  

📊 What Reviv Users Say

“I thought I was grinding, but it was silent clenching. Reviv helped in 3 nights.”
— Jess P., 29

“I used to wake up with jaw pain and couldn’t figure out why. Turns out it was clenching, not grinding. Reviv changed the game.”
— Arun R., 35

“My dentist gave me a hard splint. It made my face worse. Reviv actually feels relieving.”
— Laura K., 41

🧠 FAQ

Q: Is clenching worse than grinding?
It can be. Constant pressure can cause root damage, TMJ strain, and tension headaches—even if teeth aren’t worn down.

Q: Will Reviv stop me from clenching completely?
It trains your jaw to rest, which helps reduce intensity and frequency. Most users report big improvements in 5–7 nights.

Q: Can I wear it during the day?
Yes. Reviv is designed for short daytime use during work, driving, or screen time—when unconscious clenching is common.

Q: Is Reviv like a sports guard?
No. It’s slimmer, remoldable, and built for decompression, not impact.

🔁 TL;DR – Clenching vs Grinding

Final Word

Not all bruxism is grinding.
And not all night guards are helpful.

Clenching is silent—but powerful.
And unless you support your jaw with posture, breath, and alignment, the tension just builds.

🛒 Break the pattern with Reviv. It’s more than a guard—it’s a reset.