Many of us are finding ourselves in yet another health predicament – this time, it’s one we can blame on stress. Ask your dentist and you’re likely to find they’re seeing a major increase in bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) across patients of a certain age. Older adults are deep into a clenching epidemic, and if you just felt tension in your jaw, welcome to the club. 

Dentists reported a surge in clenching during COVID-19, but research shows numbers haven’t improved in subsequent years – in fact, some studies have found up to 30 percent of us do it regularly. Called bruxism, it’s a phenomenon driven by anxiety that leads to nasty, painful issues. And whether it’s the cost of living that’s getting you down, job stress, caregiving responsibilities or just the state of the world that’s weighing on us, our oral health is suffering.

“I really do feel like we’re seeing a big increase in clenching and grinding, especially in the over-45 age group. In practice, I’m seeing more worn teeth, more fractures in teeth that otherwise look healthy and a lot more jaw soreness,” says Dr. Carly Gordon, a dentist in Vaughan, Ont. “What stands out is that many of these patients didn’t have issues before – it’s something that’s developed more recently. A lot of people are clenching during the day without even realizing it, especially when they’re focused or stressed.” 

Bruxism is considered under-recognized simply because those of us who grind aren’t aware we’re doing it. Nighttime grinding is typically more talked about – patients tell their dentists their partners complain about that irritating grating or scraping sound – but Dr. Gordon says daytime clenching is subtle, since it can happen while working, driving, reading or just concentrating on whatever’s on TV. What’s more, “If you catch yourself doing it during the day, you’re definitely doing it at night, too,” she says. 

We know stress is often at the root of daytime bruxism, but it’s not the only culprit. Certain medications (like antidepressants), hormonal changes (especially around perimenopause and menopause), changes in your bite from missing teeth or previous dental work, medical conditions that cause you anxiety, increased screen time (staring at your phone or laptop can tighten neck and facial muscles) and sleep apnea are wreaking havoc and causing added tension.

“It’s often a mix of things rather than one cause, and the symptoms aren’t always obvious,” says Dr. Gordon. “People come in with headaches, neck tension or chipped teeth and don’t necessarily connect it back to clenching, so it ends up flying under the radar until we see the damage.” Dentists see patients with jaw pain, broken teeth or fillings, gum recession, worn enamel and cracked crowns on the regular.

What To Look For

If you think you’re grinding or clenching, pay attention to symptoms like tooth sensitivity, changes in your bite, a sore jaw, facial pain or stiffness, earaches (without infections) or consistent headaches. 

How It’s Treated

“For most of us, clenching is not something we can completely ‘turn off,’ especially since a lot of it is subconscious,” she says, adding the goal is more about damage prevention. Mouth guards can be used (night guards are common, but can also be used during the day), stress management (yoga and meditation), physiotherapy for jaw muscles and really making an effort to notice daytime clenching can help – some dentists recommend patients set timers to remind them to unclench and keep their top and bottom teeth separated (“lips together, teeth apart,” they say.) Dr. Gordon tells patients to put their tongue between their teeth when they’re working or focusing to prevent clenching. In some cases, Botox is used to reduce muscle activity and strength, and to ease pain in the muscles we use to chew.

Zoomer Rx

The earlier you’re assessed, the faster you can prevent serious damage. Dentists can check for cracks, disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), adjust your bite to ease pressure, refer you to physiotherapy or orofacial pain clinics and fit you for a mouth guard. If you’re concerned about cost barriers, the federal government’s Canadian Dental Care Plan helps with basic and preventative care, and covers things like exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings and some extractions. Night guards and Botox aren’t covered, but it’s worth speaking to your dentist about options.