Does a Mouthguard Help Jaw Pain? What It Does and Doesn't Do

A mouthguard can help jaw pain for some people, mainly by protecting your teeth from grinding and spreading out the force of clenching at night. But a mouthguard does not stop you from clenching, and it does not relax the tight jaw muscles behind most jaw pain. That's why many people still have a sore jaw even when they wear one.

Here is what a mouthguard can and can't do, which type to choose, and what to pair it with.

What a Mouthguard Does

• Protects your teeth. It puts a layer between your top and bottom teeth, so grinding wears down the guard instead of your enamel.
• Spreads out bite pressure. A well-fitted guard can take some strain off single teeth and the jaw joint.
• Can ease morning soreness for some people. This is most likely when grinding at night is the main cause of the pain.

What a Mouthguard Doesn't Do

• It doesn't stop clenching or grinding. Your muscles can still squeeze all night. The guard just takes the force instead of your teeth.
• It doesn't relax the muscle. The masseter, your main chewing muscle, can stay tight and sore even when your teeth are protected.
• It doesn't help daytime clenching. Most people only wear a guard at night. Clenching at your desk or in the car still happens.
• A poor fit can make things worse. A loose or bulky guard can change how your jaw sits, and some people chew or clench on a soft guard.

Types of Mouthguards for Jaw Pain

Custom night guard from a dentist

A dentist takes a mold or scan of your teeth and has a guard made to fit them. These are usually made of hard plastic and last the longest. A custom night guard costs about $300 to $800.

Boil-and-bite guard

You soften it in hot water, then bite into it to shape it. These are cheap and easy to find. The fit is not as exact, and they can feel bulky.

Stock guard

These come ready to wear with no fitting. They cost the least, but they often fit poorly. Most are made for sports, not for grinding.

If you grind at night, a guard made by your dentist is the safest choice for your teeth.

Who a Mouthguard Helps Most

A night guard makes the most sense if:

• You grind your teeth at night. Someone hears it, or your teeth are wearing down.
• You often wake up with a sore jaw or a headache.
• Your dentist sees chipped, cracked or flat teeth.

If your jaw pain is worst during the day, or it sits mostly in the muscle, a guard alone may not be enough.

How to Tell If Your Mouthguard Is Helping

Give a new guard a few weeks. Then ask yourself:

• Do I wake up with less jaw soreness or fewer headaches?
• Is the guard comfortable, with no sore spots on my teeth or gums?
• Do my teeth fit together normally after I take it out in the morning?
• Does my jaw still feel tight during the day?

If your teeth are protected but your jaw muscles still ache, the guard is doing its job. The muscle just needs its own care.

Why Your Jaw Can Still Hurt With a Mouthguard

Most jaw pain comes from the muscles, not the teeth. A guard protects your teeth, but the masseter keeps working. If you clench through the night and through the day, the muscle stays tight and sore. That's why it helps to pair a guard with care for the muscle itself.

What to Pair With a Mouthguard

1. Massage the masseter. About 30 seconds per side, morning and bedtime. See how to massage your masseter, step by step.
2. Practice the resting position. Lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the roof of your mouth.
3. Cut down daytime clenching. Use reminders and short stress breaks. Our guide on how to stop clenching your jaw during the day covers 8 ways.
4. Use a warm compress. Hold it on your jaw for 5 to 10 minutes before bed.
5. Limit late caffeine and alcohol. Both can make grinding at night worse.
6. Skip gum. Give your jaw muscles real rest during the day.

Mouthguards vs Other Options

• Custom night guard: about $300 to $800. Protects your teeth. Doesn't relax the muscle.
• Physical therapy: about $75 to $150 per visit. Works on the muscles and joint, usually over several visits.
• Jaw Botox: about $400 to $1,200 per round. Weakens the muscle for a few months, then you need another round.
• Massage at home: free. Massage on the chewing muscles works as well as Botox injections.

When to See a Dentist or Doctor

Get checked by a dentist or doctor if:

• Your jaw locks, or you can't open your mouth fully.
• Your jaw pain keeps getting worse, with or without a guard.
• Your guard hurts, feels loose or changes how your teeth fit together.
• You have a fever, swelling or numbness in your face or jaw.
• Your teeth are chipping, cracking or wearing down.

The Bottom Line

Does a mouthguard help jaw pain? It can, mostly by protecting your teeth from grinding at night. It doesn't stop clenching or relax the muscle, so pair it with daily care for the masseter.

That daily care is what the Orela Jaw Relief Roll-On is for, and it works alongside your guard. The natural mint cools, the tea tree oil calms, and the steel roller massages the masseter in about 30 seconds per side, morning and bedtime.

This article is general information, not medical advice.