Why So Many People Wake Up With Jaw Pain — And What You Can Do About It

Many people wake up in the morning with jaw stiffness, soreness, or tension and wonder why it happens — especially when they don’t remember clenching or grinding at night. The culprit for a surprising number of cases is sleep-related jaw clenching, also known as bruxism.

How Common Is Night-Time Clenching?

Bruxism during sleep affects a significant portion of the population:

• Studies estimate that 8–15% of adults regularly grind or clench their jaws while sleeping.

• In some sleep lab studies, patterns associated with jaw muscle activity were detected in up to 60–78% of people, even if they’re not aware of it.

• Morning jaw discomfort — like stiffness or tenderness — is common among people with these patterns.

Because clenching often happens unconsciously, many sufferers don’t realize it’s happening until they feel the physical effects the next day.

Why Clenching Leads to Morning Jaw Pain

When you clench or grind your teeth during sleep, the powerful muscles around your jaw — especially the masseter muscles — are repeatedly activated. These muscles are among the strongest in the body relative to their size, and even repetitive low-level activity can leave them fatigued, tense, or sore.

When you wake up:

• Your jaw muscles may feel stiff

• Your face may feel tender

• You may experience headaches or neck tension

Even if your teeth look fine, the muscles themselves have been working hard all night — and that’s what causes many people to start their day feeling uncomfortable.

Why Traditional Night Guards Don’t Always Solve the Problem

Many people think that wearing a night guard will fix jaw tension. Night guards can protect teeth from wear, but they don’t always relax the muscles involved in bruxism. That’s because most guards are designed to protect tooth surfaces, not to position or support the jaw muscles in a neutral, tension-reducing way.

What Helps Calm Jaw Muscles in the Morning?

After a night of unconscious clenching, your jaw muscles may still be in a state of tension. This is where intentional morning muscle relaxation can make a real difference.

Gentle daytime tools or supports — especially those designed to help your jaw rest in its natural, slightly open position — can assist your muscles in unwinding. Many people find that giving their jaw a moment of rest and support in the morning helps reduce lingering tightness and sets a more comfortable tone for the rest of the day.

Bottom Line: Tension Builds Overnight — Relief Should Start in the Morning

If you frequently wake up with jaw soreness, aches, or tension, it’s likely connected to repetitive night-time muscle activity that you’re not consciously aware of. While night guards protect your teeth, they don’t always address the muscle tension itself.

Supporting your jaw in a neutral resting position soon after waking can help your muscles transition from a state of clenching to relaxation more effectively.

Learning why your jaw hurts is the first step — the next is giving your muscles the support they need to feel better.