Pandemic stress causes more people to grind their teeth

MONDAY March 8, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Have you stressed out about the lockouts? The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that more and more the teeth as they try to cope with the pressures of pandemic.

An ADA Health Policy Institute survey of dentists found that 70% of respondents said they had seen an increase in the number of patients with teeth grinding and contraction, which are often related to stress. It was from the fall, when 60% of dentists reported an increase teeth grinding and squeeze patients.

“Our survey served as a barometer for the pandemic stress affecting patients and communities seen through the eyes of dentists, ”said Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the institute.

“The increase over time suggests that stress-related conditions have become much more frequent since the onset of COVID-19,” Vujicic said in an ADA press release.

The new survey also found that just over 60% of dentists reported an increase in other stress-related dental problems, such as chipped and cracked teeth, and symptoms related to temporomandibular joint disorders. , such as headache and jaw pain.

According to Marcelo Araujo, Scientific Director of ADA, “As the pandemic continues, dentists are increasingly faced with stress-related dental problems. issues that could have a long-term impact. ”

It has been suggested that frequent wearing of masks can adversely affect dental health and cause what is known as a “mouth mask”, but the new survey did not find significant changes in the rates of conditions such as bad breath and dry mouth since the start of the pandemic.

More information

The American Dental Association has more on teeth grinding.

SOURCE: American Dental Association, press release, March 2, 2021