With America’s economy affecting every citizen in one way or another, a common health trend that is on the rise plaguing every dental office in the country is the phenomenon of Tooth Grinding. 

Dentists and family physicians are seeing a large number of people that are anxious, stressed and concerned about their financial well-being, and whether they realize it or not, they’re taking it out on their teeth. Because this is happening subconsciously, the dangerous part is that most people won’t realize they’re doing this until symptoms such as facial soreness and fragmented teeth land them in a doctor’s office.

This is happening because the stress of the recession, whether it is real or anticipated, causes “fight or flight” hormones to be distributed throughout the body, and in turn, those hormones create energy causing isometric activity, better thought of as muscle movements. That energy has to be expelled, and it is frequently taken out on one’s teeth.

The most common occurrence of tooth grinding is done while a person is sleeping. This is also the most dangerous and harmful time because a person doesn’t realize they’re doing this to themselves. It is estimated that about 20-30 pounds of pressure is exerted on one’s back molars when they chew their food. For a tooth grinder though, as much as 200 pounds per square inch can be exerted to each tooth while they’re fast asleep.

On average, a nocturnal grinder will grind their teeth for about 40 minutes out of every hour that they’re sleeping. This relentless assault fractures teeth, quickly erodes tooth enamel, and is responsible for disrupting one’s bite, and damaging the temporomandibular joint at the hinge of the jaw, as well as the masseter muscle that controls the jaw.  Face and jaw pain, as well has headaches and earaches commonly occur before permanent damage has been done.

Repairs on one’s teeth as a result of grinding is astronomical price wise. The best counter to this, and the cheapest is the use of a night guard. While uncomfortable at first, this inhibits one’s ability to grind their teeth while they’re sleeping, and in many cases, will break the habit of grinding. If you are aware of your tooth grinding, or suspect you may be doing this in your sleep, it is advised to get a night guard as soon as possible to prevent any further damage and avoid those expensive dental repair costs.