THE PANDEMIC HAS affected nearly every aspect of our lives—and our oral health is no exception. In a September 2020 survey by the American Dental Association, more than half of dentists reported higher cases of bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), chipped and cracked teeth, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) symptoms, like jaw pain; more than a quarter reported a rise in cavities and gum disease.
“In general, humans clench and grind as a response to stress,” says Tammy Chen, DDS, a prosthodontist in New York City. “During stressful times, people tend to turn to unhealthy habits—more sugar indulgence, less sleep, more smoking and drinking,” adds Jared Cox, DDS, a dentist in Searcy, Arkansas. The effects of those habits on our oral health are damaging—and can take months, even years,…
