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).
Bruxism often happens as a stress response, and has also been linked to drinking coffee and/or alcohol, smoking, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep apnea. Or it can be a sign 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. That will provide 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 cognitive behavioral 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 ease stress, tone muscles, and improve sleep habits, which all help relieve tooth grinding.
Discover the best workouts for you in my book "The RealAge Workout: Maximum Health, Minimum Work."