Stress & Bruxism: A Concern Among UK's Younger Population
Updated by Dr Sally Rayment
Recent statistics from the United Kingdom reveal a concerning trend in dental health, with an alarming rise in dental damage among younger individuals. This is not merely a consequence of age-related wear and tear; it is increasingly linked to stress and bruxism. There is serious concern over the worsening condition of patients' teeth, the issue is no longer limited to older age groups who have had more time to damage their teeth.
The damaged teeth we are seeing appear to be getting worse, and this is not just in the older age groups where they have simply had more time to damage their teeth and wear the teeth down. We are seeing more damage in younger patients to a level that we would not expect at their age.
This revelation raises questions about the root causes of this dental deterioration. Stress and bruxism, often closely intertwined, have emerged as key contributors to the decline in oral health among younger individuals. Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching, is a stress-related condition that can result in various dental issues.
The most effective strategy to safeguard one's teeth, is to promptly seek a dentist's evaluation. The initial step is diagnosing when the wear and damage are happening. Following this, a personalised treatment plan is essential, which may include the prescription of a protective bite guard, with or without administration of muscle-relaxing injections. Many patients require both the mouthguard the injections, but some benefit from just one or the other.
The benefit of the injections is that they are working 24/7 as opposed to just at night time for the mouth guard. The injections help to reduce the power the muscle is putting through the jaw joints and teeth, and eventually as the muscles are not being worked so hard anymore, they begin to atrophy (become smaller) and therefore less powerful. Over time the muscle is weakened sufficiently that the forces generated are less and therefore less damaging. These treatments serve as a preventive measure to break the destructive cycle of bruxism, preventing further damage to the teeth.
Additionally, treatment may involve modifications like changing fillings or adjusting the bite through the building up of worn teeth. It is important to note that while some dental professionals have previously advocated grinding down teeth to "improve the bite," this approach is now widely considered harmful and not recommended in modern dentistry.
The dental community's stance on grinding down teeth reflects a growing awareness of the long-term consequences of such practices, as they may exacerbate dental damage and lead to more extensive and expensive treatments down the road. The priority now is to protect the natural dentition and provide effective solutions for stress-induced bruxism.
In conclusion, the concerning increase in dental damage among younger individuals in the UK is a wake-up call to the importance of addressing stress and bruxism. The advice from dental experts is clear: early diagnosis, a tailored treatment plan, and protective measures like bite guards are crucial for preventing further damage and preserving dental health. Modern dentistry is focused on protecting, not harming, our natural teeth, and this approach is vital in maintaining healthy smiles for generations to come.