Introduction

Bruxism isn’t “just grinding.”
If your dentist recommended a night guard for bruxism, it’s because they see what you probably don’t: your teeth, jaw, and airway are under far more pressure than you realise.

 

In this guide, I’ll explain—in plain, logical language—why dentists recommend night guards, what night guards actually fix, what they don’t, and how you can use the right type of guard to get real relief.

I’ll also show where Reviv ONE and Reviv TWO fit in, based on the same biomechanics we discuss across the Reviv Method.

Let’s break the whole thing down.

 

1. The Real Reason Dentists Push Night Guards

Dentists aren’t guessing.
When they see flattened enamel, tight masseter muscles, tooth wear, or fractured fillings, they know you’re grinding—even if you don’t.

A night guard protects your enamel from that nightly pressure.

For more, see our guide:
➡️ “How Do You Know If You Need a Dentist-Designed vs Store-Bought Mouthguard?”
https://getreviv.com/blogs/content/how-do-you-know-if-you-need-a-dentist-designed-versus-store-bought-mouthguard-for-jaw-pain

 

2. Bruxism Is Usually Silent—Night Guards Reveal the Pattern

Most people grind without knowing.
A night guard makes the damage visible because you’ll see bite marks and wear.

This is often the first wake-up call that something is wrong.

 

3. Your Teeth Cannot Handle the Force of Grinding

Bruxism can exert up to 250 pounds of force.
No enamel—no matter how healthy—can withstand that forever.

A night guard absorbs the force so your teeth don’t have to.

 

4. Night Guards Reduce Muscle Tension Immediately

Nighttime grinding keeps your jaw muscles locked in overdrive.
A guard interrupts that cycle and signals the jaw to relax.

This is why many people notice their face feels “lighter” after the first week.

 

5. Night Guards Protect Your Fillings, Crowns, and Veneers

Grinding destroys dental work.
A night guard is essentially insurance.
 Without it, you may be replacing expensive restorations every few years.

 

6. Guards Prevent Cracks and Fractures

Bruxism puts microscopic cracks in your teeth.
These vulnerable teeth eventually:

• Chip
  
  
• Split
  
  
• Break completely
  
  

A guard distributes the pressure across a softer surface.

 

7. Why Dentists Don’t Want You Grinding Your Teeth Down

Every millimeter of enamel matters.
When you grind it away, you lose dental height—which affects:

• Bite alignment
  
  
• Jaw position
  
  
• Airway openness
  
  
• Facial support
  
  

This is the core of the Reviv "balloon theory" ().
Losing height doesn’t just age your teeth—it ages your face and body mechanics.

 

8. Mouthguards Improve TMJ Health

A guard reduces the pressure on the jaw joints (TMJs).
Less pressure → fewer clicks, pops, stiffness, and headaches.

Explore TMJ relief here:
➡️ https://getreviv.com/pages/use-case/tmj

 

9. Mouthuards Reduce Morning Headaches

Morning headaches = clenching while unconscious.
 A guard dampens that force and reduces muscle overactivation.

 

10. A Night Guard Protects Your Airway (Under the Radar Benefit)

When you grind, the jaw wants to move backward.
A night guard keeps it slightly forward/upward, preventing airway collapse.

This is why some people snore less when using oral appliances.

For deeper airway mechanics, see:
➡️ “How Does a Poorly Fitted Mouthguard Impact TMJ Symptoms?”
https://getreviv.com/blogs/content/how-does-a-poorly-fitted-mouthguard-impact-tmj-symptoms-and-what-can-be-done-to-fix-it

 

11. A Guard Helps You Break the Habit Loop

Grinding becomes a neurological pattern.
A guard creates sensory interruption, forcing the brain to stop repeating the same cycle.

 

12. Dentists Know Stress Fuels Grinding

Bruxism spikes during stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety.
 A guard doesn’t remove stress—but it removes the physical damage.

 

13. Grinding at Night Taxes Your Nervous System

Nighttime clenching activates the fight-or-flight system.
A guard helps your jaw drop out of tension faster.

This is why people often sleep better once they start using one.

 

14. A Proper Guard Helps Realign Your Bite

If the guard adds correct vertical dimension, it can help create better jaw spacing.

Reviv works on this principle (vertical height = structural correction).

 

15. Why Dentists Prefer Custom or Semi-Custom Guards

Boil-and-bite guards are unpredictable.
Dentists prefer guards that:

• Have even thickness
  
  
• Stay in place
  
  
• Distribute force consistently
  
  

Reviv ONE and TWO offer this without the dental-visit price tag.

Explore them here:
➡️ https://getreviv.com/products/reviv-one
➡️ https://getreviv.com/products/reviv-two

 

16. Night Guards Improve Long-Term Oral Health

Over time, untreated bruxism leads to:

• Receding gums
  
  
• Tooth mobility
  
  
• Sensitivity
  
  
• Bone loss
  
  

A guard helps slow—or completely stop—this progression.

 

17. Night Guards Reduce Inflammation

Grinding causes micro-inflammation in the muscles around your jaw and face.
 A guard reduces the irritation and allows tissues to recover.

 

18. Why Your Dentist Wants You to Act Early

Once enamel is gone, it’s gone forever.
 Early intervention prevents irreversible damage.

 

19. Night Guards Support Jaw Forward Posture

The slight separation created by a guard:

• Frees the tongue
  
  
• Improves airway shape
  
  
• Relieves jaw compression
  
  

These are the same mechanics we explain in our breakdown of dental height ().

 

20. Night Guards Are the Simplest, Fastest Fix for Bruxism

No medication.
No surgery.
No complicated routine.

Just physics.
Add height. Reduce pressure. Protect the system.

A simple device can prevent years of damage.

 

FAQs (10+)

1. Why do dentists always recommend night guards?

Because grinding destroys enamel and they want to protect your teeth before it’s too late.

2. Do night guards stop grinding?

They don’t stop the muscle activity—but they stop the damage and reduce tension.

3. Will a night guard help my TMJ pain?

Often, yes. It reduces pressure on the joint.

4. How do I know if I’m grinding?

Flattened teeth, morning tightness, headaches, or jaw soreness are signals.

5. Can grinding cause cracked teeth?

Absolutely. It’s one of the top causes of cracked molars.

6. Is a custom guard necessary?

You don’t need a $700 guard. You need one with proper thickness and even support (like Reviv).

7. Can grinding affect my sleep?

Yes—grinding activates the stress response at night.

8. Is bruxism caused by stress?

Stress is one cause—but airway issues and bite mechanics matter too.

9. Can I use Reviv instead of a dental night guard?

Yes—Reviv ONE and TWO provide vertical height and unlock the occlusion.

10. How long until it helps?

Many feel it working within 1–2 nights.

Conclusion

Dentists recommend night guards for bruxism because they protect your teeth, reduce jaw tension, and stabilize the mechanics of your mouth while you sleep.
Your teeth aren’t meant to take 200+ pounds of pressure every night—and a proper night guard prevents years of silent damage.

If you’re ready to protect your teeth and reduce grinding tension, choosing the right oral appliance is the smartest step you can take.

👉 Buy Reviv Mouthguard or other Reviv products by clicking here