Lifestyle, Activity, and Bruxism in Young Adults

A study of 301 dental students in Romania found that those who did not participate in sports were significantly more likely to report symptoms of sleep bruxism. The research points to a clear link between a sedentary lifestyle and increased risk of tooth grinding and clenching.

Connecting Lifestyle, Stress, and a Common Oral Habit

Bruxism, the medical term for habitual teeth grinding and jaw clenching, is often considered a standalone dental issue. However, research increasingly frames it as a physical manifestation of stress and nervous system dysregulation. A new study from “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy shifts the focus to a modifiable lifestyle factor: physical activity. The researchers aimed to evaluate self-reported bruxism among a high-stress cohort—dental students—and its relationship with their daily habits.

How the Study Measured Bruxism and Activity

Iulia-Karla NICA and colleagues administered a detailed questionnaire to 301 students. This survey collected standard demographic data and went further, probing specific bruxism symptoms like awareness of sleep grinding, noticing increased tooth wear, and clenching upon waking. Crucially, it also gathered information on lifestyle, specifically asking about participation in sports. The team then used statistical analysis to see if patterns emerged between a sedentary lifestyle and the reported frequency of bruxism symptoms.

The Sedentary Behavior and Bruxism Link

The results showed a consistent and statistically significant trend. Students who reported not practicing a sport were substantially more likely to experience key bruxism symptoms:

• Sleep Grinding: 36.1% of non-active students reported it, versus 24.5% of active students (p=0.041).
• Increased Tooth Wear: 21.5% of the sedentary group noticed wear, compared to 10.9% of the active group (p=0.027).
• Morning Clenching: 31.4% of non-sport participants woke with a clenched jaw, against 20.9% of sport participants (p=0.049).

The relationship also worked in reverse. Students who said they “never” clenched during stressful situations were much more likely to be physically active (43.6% vs. 25.1%, p=0.009). Similarly, not clenching during tense moments was strongly associated with sports participation (47.3% vs. 27.7%, p=0.005).

Why This Matters for Hearing and Sensory Health

This finding extends beyond dental health. Bruxism is a known comorbid condition in populations with tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia. The common thread is often a heightened state of physiological arousal and stress reactivity. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the auditory system are anatomically and neurologically linked; dysfunction in one can affect the other. Chronic jaw clenching can exacerbate tinnitus and hyperacusis symptoms and contribute to the somatic component of these disorders.

The study suggests that regular physical activity may act as a buffer, potentially reducing the somatic stress response that manifests as jaw clenching. This aligns with neurobiological models, like those exploring reversing noise-induced amygdala plasticity, which highlight how interventions can modify maladaptive brain circuits involved in fear and stress. Exercise is one such powerful neuromodulator.

Practical Implications for Management

For individuals managing bruxism alongside tinnitus or hyperacusis, this research points to a practical, accessible intervention. Incorporating regular physical activity is not about high-performance sport; it’s about consistent movement to help regulate the nervous system. This can be a vital component of a broader management strategy that addresses the condition’s physical and emotional aspects, much like approaches recommended for misophonia coping.

It also underscores the importance of a holistic assessment. A clinician treating tinnitus should ask about jaw symptoms and daily habits. Conversely, a dentist noting significant tooth wear should inquire about hearing sensitivity, ringing in the ears, and stress levels. This integrated view can lead to more effective, personalized care plans.

A Strong Association, Not Yet Proof of Cause

The authors, NICA, Farcașiu, and IMRE, are clear about their study’s scope. Their conclusion states, “The results of the present study suggest that physical activity may reduce the risk of bruxism-associated symptoms.” The key word is “suggest.” This cross-sectional study shows a strong association but cannot definitively prove that a lack of exercise causes bruxism. It is possible that uncontrolled pain or fatigue from severe bruxism makes exercise less likely. The researchers correctly note that “correlating perceived symptoms with objective clinical assessment remains necessary.” Future studies could track individuals over time or use objective measures like sleep studies to confirm grinding.

Despite this need for further research, the evidence adds a compelling piece to the puzzle. It strengthens the argument that managing central nervous system arousal through lifestyle is a valid and necessary approach for interconnected conditions like bruxism, tinnitus, and hyperacusis.

Source: NICA, I., Farcașiu, A., & IMRE, M. (2026). Self-assessment bruxism among dental students. doi:10.26574/maedica.2026.21.1.57