Studies have shown that teeth grinding increased during the pandemic; we can help protect your smile. Now that we are more than a year into a global pandemic, we are learning more about the various indirect effects COVID-19 has on the population. We have seen that it affects our mental, emotional and physical health. Studies also show that the pandemic has had an effect on some people’s oral health. According to the American Dental Association, grinding and clenching have increased by 60%.
It is common for some people to clench their teeth when they are stressed. Fortunately, teeth grinding is an easily treated condition that can be dealt with in a short visit to the dentist.
You may not even notice that you grind your teeth. Countless people grind in their sleep — it is in fact one of the most common sleep disorders. Some people not otherwise known to grind will do so at night when they are more stressed than usual. If you wake with unexplained jaw pain or headaches, it may be worth seeing your dentist to find out whether you grind at night. Untreated grinding can cause accelerated wear on your smile and lead to unwanted pain in the teeth and jaw. Your dentist can recognise the signs and draw up a treatment plan to protect your teeth.
Grinding is a common condition that dentists treat regularly. If you grind mainly at night, your dentist may recommend a guard to wear while you sleep. These guards are custom-made to fit your mouth comfortably. They protect the teeth very effectively and can even stop the grinding altogether.
If you grind during the day, take steps to lower your stress levels. Exercise, meditation and deep breathing are all simple ways to reduce stress. In some people grinding may not even be caused by stress. Have you been drinking more coffee lately? High caffeine consumption is in fact associated with teeth grinding.
Remember to keep your dental check-ups, even during a pandemic. Our team is trained to recognise the signs of grinding. We can repair any damage and also advise you on protecting your teeth from unwanted grinding in future.
