The stress of the pandemic seems to be putting a strain on our teeth, dentists say

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Stress and anxiety related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could reveal itself in people’s mouths, say dentists who report increasing cases of patients with cracked, cracked and damaged teeth.

Bruce Ward, a Vancouver-area dentist, said he’s noticing the pressures of the pandemic are causing more people to involuntarily clench their jaws and grind their teeth.

“It’s like two pieces of ivory rubbing together,” Ward said, describing the screeching sound often first noticed by others.

The signs of tooth grinding are a sore jaw in the morning, headaches, and sore teeth, but sometimes it’s much worse, she said.

“I pulled two teeth [recently] that were split right in the center and right across the underside of the tooth and right on the other side, ”Ward said.

Ward, a former president of the British Columbia Dental Association, said he attended Zoom meetings with colleagues who say they see more teeth damaged lately due to grinding, a condition known as bruxism.

Typically related to stress

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are usually related to stress and stress levels, which increased for people during the pandemic, Ward said.

Teeth are designed to withstand the pressure of chewing, but involuntary grinding greatly increases function, to the point where teeth can break, chip or become loose.

“It’s very bad for your joints and also really stresses your muscles,” Ward said. “Emphasize your teeth too. It’s huge, the force on your teeth.”

Dentists usually advise patients to start using a special mouthpiece at night to protect their teeth and take steps to reduce stress in their life.

“A lot of people say to me, ‘How can I stop this?’ ‘Ward said.” And I say,’ Transfer to Fiji, sell everything you have and lie on the beach all day. ‘”

Manifest in different ways

Nirmala Raniga, a Vancouver-based addiction and mental health consultant, said the pandemic has placed additional stress on people and can manifest itself in many different forms and places, including people’s mouths.

Raniga said that grinding and gritting of teeth at night and talking in her sleep are signs of the body’s attempts to cope with emotional problems.

“It’s a way to release stress,” she said. “Your body is releasing stress by grinding, so the idea is how to release stress by working through these painful memories.”

A woman wearing a face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 walks past a photograph of a woman smiling outside a Vancouver dental office in August 2020. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Dental Association said evidence of increased tooth grinding problems during the pandemic is anecdotal, but delaying oral health care can lead to health problems.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many and has likely disrupted the good habits and daily routines of individuals,” said Dr. Aaron Burry, the association’s deputy chief executive of professional affairs.

“More frequent snacking, eating more sugary foods and drinks, not keeping up with regular dental visits, and not keeping up with regular brushing and flossing can all lead to consequences,” she said.

The Canadian Dental Association website suggests consulting with a dentist about bruxism and relaxation techniques to use during the day and before bed.

“Practicing activities to reduce stress, such as staying physically active, yoga and meditation, deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, listening to music and / or bathing,” the website states.

A nutritious diet and caffeine and alcohol limits are also suggested as ways to reduce stress and facilitate teeth grinding, the association says.

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