Dentists Seeing Increase In Bruxism During Pandemic

ABC News (7/12, Leyden, Widmer) reports that “research has continued to show increases in far-reaching physical and mental health problems” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and “now, dentists are noting that teeth grinding and jaw clenching, known as bruxism, also seem to be on the rise.” Several risk factors are “associated with increased rates of bruxism, including anxiety, highly stressful life circumstances and heavy alcohol use – all things that have increased across the population this year.” Dentists and mental health professionals “agree that tackling this issue will involve addressing stress and anxiety along with preventive dental care to ensure that complications don’t arise in the future.”