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Do you wake up with a headache, jaw or ear pain, or sensitive teeth? You may be one of the 30% of adults who contend with bruxism (that's the fancy word for grinding your teeth) while they sleep and/or during the daytime. Every clench-and-grind exerts about 250 pounds of pressure on each tooth, causing excessive erosion and cracked enamel, potential gum problems, chronic pain in your head, neck and ears, migraines, and even tinnitus (ringing in your ears).

It often happens as a stress response and has been linked to drinking coffee and/or alcohol, smoking, depression, anxiety, PTSD and sleep apnea. Sometimes, it's a sign that you have untreated acid reflux.

If you think you may be a "grinder," you want to see your dentist for an evaluation and find out if you need a custom-made mouth guard to use while you sleep. It provides sweet relief!

It can also be useful to go to a sleep clinic to be checked for sleep-related bruxism and sleep apnea and see a specialist in stress management or a CBT therapist. You can also try daily meditation, physical therapy, yoga, and stretches for your neck and jaw to promote the relaxation of your jaw muscles.

I also think that at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day can help you ease stress, tone muscles, and improve sleep habits, which all help relieve tooth grinding. You can discover the best workouts for you in my book "The RealAge Workout: Maximum Health, Minimum Work."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.