Dentists are noticing an uptick in teeth grinding lately -- and it may be tied to the coronavirus pandemic, according to KING 5.
Experts argue that the stress from a hectic year may be manifesting in one's health. With COVID-19, politics, social justice demonstrations, financial concerns and more marking the tumultuous 2020, people are bound to be more on edge.
"A September American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute poll found that 59% of dentists reported seeing an increase in teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism," reporters said.
Dr. Mark Drangsholt, who is the chair of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington, said dental clinics at the institution are busy. They're treating treating teeth grinding patients daily.
”I think we know there's this whole mental health crisis because of COVID, and these kinds of jaw muscle and other problems, those are known to be related to psychological distress,” Drangsholt said. The dentist also reports that many of them have migraines, jaw soreness and sometimes even a cracked tooth.
When people are asleep, that's when they are clenching their jaws harder. A lot the damage occurs then, too. If left untreated, the issue can evolve into chronic pain in some cases. "It can really be much worse than I think people realize,” according to Drangsholt.
To avoid or reduce instances of teeth grinding, dentists recommend self-care practices and dentist visits; they can provide treatment to relax your jaw muscles. KING 5 added that botox is sometimes a more expensive option.
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