The pandemic has resulted in a stressful time for everyone in the world, and, for many people, this stress can result in orofacial pain.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine took a look at patients in two countries and examined how the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns may have caused an increase in jaw-clenching, teeth-grinding, and orofacial pain.
Some of the findings from the study by the University of Wroclaw and Tel Aviv University were:
- 12% increase in orofacial pain symptoms
- 15% increase in jaw-clenching
- 26% increase in teeth-grinding
- For those who were already suffering from orofacial pain, there was a 15% increase in severity
- Women were more affected by these increases than men
- Patients in the age range of 35-55 were the most affected
Whether due to concerns over the virus, financial issues, isolation during quarantine, or other situations resulting from the lockdowns, it's evident that problems such as bruxism (teeth grinding) and temporomandibular disorders are increasing during these stressful times.
For those suffering from these issues—including head, neck, and jaw pain, tension headaches, earaches, tooth sensitivity in the absence of a dental problem—help is available. Depending on the specific nature of the problem, these can be relieved with night guards, bite splints, or bite adjustments.
Additionally, we're excited to announce that we are now offering Botox® therapy which can relieve tension in facial muscles. Botox® is one of the most popular wrinkle relaxers and can be used for TMD treatment as an alternative to medication, night guards, or surgery. This injectable can reduce the intensity of muscle contractions or prevent them entirely, providing relief from jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding.
If you believe you are one of the people suffering from pain as a result of this type of stress or would like more information about treatment options, get in touch with our office to take your first step toward finding relief.
Links:
Article:
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/10/3250
Journal of Clinical Medicine
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm
TMJ/TMD/Nightguards
https://babylonsmiles.com/babylon-ny/mouth-guards/
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If you experience a dental emergency like a knocked-out tooth or severe tooth pain, your best bet is to visit the emergency dentist. However, some people opt to visit the ER for such emergencies, eventually wasting time and money. It is more vital than ever to know where to go when you experience serious issues…
Curious about emergency dentistry during the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic? The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many dentists to limit their elective services and transition into only treating patients who need emergency dentistry. Due to this, it is important for people to understand what constitutes a dental emergency. One of the more common oral health concerns…
An emergency dentist has the ability to do just as much as a traditional dentist can, which includes prescribing medication for injuries. Mediations can help speed along the healing process, and in some cases, it may be necessary in order for healing to take place at all.Want to know if an emergency dentist can provide…
Although teeth are the hardest part of our body, and the problems relating to teeth might not seem like a big issue, anyone that has suffered from dental problems knows how painful they can be. Despite following your dentist’s orders to floss and brush regularly, you might still accidentally crack your tooth. This article will guide…
Tooth-colored fillings can support your dental makeover and give you the confidence you need to…
Professional teeth cleanings get rid of tartar deposits on tooth surfaces, which protects against gum…
A family dentist treats patients of a wide range of ages, helping them to maintain…
Regular general dentistry visits are necessary for a number of reasons, however, it ultimately comes…
Considering replacing your silver fillings? Learn more in this article as we go over a…
Learn how composite bonding can be used during your smile makeover to enhance your smile.…
