Should You Use a Mouthguard for TMJ Relief?

If you’re dealing with jaw pain, headaches or trouble opening your mouth, you might be wondering if a mouthguard — also known as a night guard — can help.

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The answer? A solid maybe.

Dentist Karyn Kahn, DDS, explains how mouthguards work and who might benefit.

Mouthguards and TMJ pain

Whether a mouthguard will help with your jaw pain depends on what’s contributing to your pain.

Pain in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can come from a number of causes. Sometimes the pain stems from troubles with the joint itself. Other times, it’s related to muscle tension, jaw alignment or other concerns.

If your TMJ pain is a result of grinding or clenching your teeth at night (bruxism), sleeping in a properly fitted mouthguard can be a good place to start.

“Occlusal guards are the first line of treatment for people who clench and grind their teeth,” Dr. Kahn notes. “If made properly, they can help protect your teeth, reduce strain on your muscles and reduce overload to your joint.”

How do you know if bruxism is to blame for your TMJ pain? Common signs include:

A sore or tense jaw in the morning
Morning headaches
Tooth sensitivity or visible wear
Clicking or popping in your jaw

If that sounds familiar, a dental mouthguard may be worth exploring.

Sleeping with a mouthguard won’t stop you from clenching. Bruxism is a reflex that stems from your central nervous system — you can’t control it. But using a mouthguard can help keep middle-of-the-night teeth gnashing from causing major damage.

Let’s break down the benefits.

Prevent tooth damage

When you grind or clench, your teeth absorb a lot of force. Over time, that pressure can wear down your enamel, crack your teeth and contribute to gum issues.

“There’s a lot of force generated during tooth-to-tooth contact, especially at night,” Dr. Kahn explains. “It can lead to wear, fractures and even accelerate bone loss in people with gum disease.”

Mouthguards cushion that force and keep your teeth from grinding directly against each other.

Ease jaw tension and muscle pain

Clenching and grinding don’t just affect your teeth. These actions involve powerful jaw and neck muscles. That repeated tension can lead to soreness, fatigue and even headaches.

A specific kind of mouthguard — called a stabilization splint — can help with this.

“It’s a hard resin guard that can be adjusted to mimic a functional, healthy bite,” Dr. Kahn advises. “That helps balance your teeth, muscles and joints.”

Support your jaw

Nighttime grinding and clenching put serious strain on your jaw. Wearing a mouthguard can help keep your temporomandibular joints from being overloaded.

But choosing the right kind of guard and ensuring a proper fit matters. Mouthguards you fit yourself likely won’t work as well to keep your bite in line. And if your bite isn’t balanced, the guard may make things worse.

“With a custom-made guard, we can establish harmony between your jaw joint, teeth and muscles,” Dr. Kahn encourages.

What else can help TMJ pain?

A nightguard can be part of a broader care plan to lessen the effects of bruxism, but it’s not the only solution. In addition to wearing a dental guard, Dr. Kahn says people who grind their teeth may benefit from:

Lifestyle changes: Lowering stress, sleeping on your side, and cutting back (or avoiding) caffeine, alcohol and tobacco can help keep you from grinding and clenching at night.
Physical therapy: A dedicated PT program can help improve alignment and relieve muscle pain in your jaw and neck.
Botox® injections: In some cases, Botox can ease overactive jaw muscles by reducing how forcefully they contract. This can ease muscle-related jaw pain.
Habit changes: Avoid habits that add strain to your jaw, like biting your nails, chewing gum and resting your chin on your hands (especially when you sleep).

If your jaw clicks, locks or hurts, talk to a dentist or a TMJ specialist. “There’s no one-size-fits-all fix,” Dr. Kahn acknowledges. “Getting the right diagnosis is the most important first step.”

If your provider recommends a mouthguard, a custom fit from an oral healthcare provider, rather than an over-the-counter appliance, will serve you best.

“If the guard doesn’t fit properly, it can make the pain worse,” she continues. “A proper fit is what leads to relief — not just protecting your teeth but improving the way all the jaw structures work together.”