Since the covid 19 pandemic started, dentists have reported surging cases of cracked, broken, and damaged teeth due to teeth grinding. The never seen coronavirus break out caused people and families much stress and anxiety they have probably never experienced before. The pressure of the pandemic has been causing more people to clench their jaws and grind teeth in their sleep.

The increase in cracked teeth cases

According to research, there would have been fewer cases of cracked and damaged teeth before the covid 19 pandemic. Teeth grinding is rising due to first-world anxiety associated with the never seen before the covid crisis. But you may wonder; the coronavirus doesn’t cause teeth damage, so how are they associated?

One of the side effects of stress and anxiety is bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding. However, many people don’t always know when they suffer from bruxism because it always manifests at night. Some of the signs are when you wake up in the morning and feel soreness in your jaws, headache, or sore teeth. It is a good indicator that you gnash or grind your teeth in your sleep.

Understanding teeth grinding

Although your teeth are strong enough to withstand chewing pressure, grinding your teeth involuntarily reduces the strength dramatically to the point of breakage. Teeth grinding happens when your jaws clench, and your teeth grind to a point where they can chip, crack or loosen. The action immensely stresses the muscles, and it is a significant force on the teeth.

Bruxism affects millions of people, and it can lead to other effects, including headache, facial pain, earache, stiffness of the neck and shoulders, and facial pain. Teeth grinding can also severely damage the teeth causing them to weaken over time. That may result in chipped teeth and the enamel’s wearing down, leading to tooth sensitivity.

According to experts, teeth grinding, jaw clenching at night, and sleep talking are the body’s attempts to address stress and anxiety. When you grind your teeth, your body is trying to release stress and other emotional issues. The covid 19 pandemic negatively impacted many people’s lives, including their good habits and routines.

Is it preventable?

Since anxiety and stress tend to cause most teeth grinding cases, managing them is a good way to prevent the problem. A dentist can help with bruxism blues, and they can advise you on how best to prevent it, depending on your situation. In most cases, dentists recommend meditation, yoga, and massage to reduce emotional pressure.

It can be challenging to relax in the middle of a pandemic, but it is important to try for the sake of your teeth. If relaxing doesn’t solve it, a dentist could recommend wearing a mouth guard at night. Treatment is required if your teeth have chipped, cracked, or broken due to grinding.

Summing up

The rise of bruxism and cracked teeth concerns dentists. If you are a victim of teeth grinding, try to practice relaxation activities to ease your emotional distress.