UK dentists report rise in young people grinding their teeth

Dentists in the UK are reporting more young patients with tooth damage caused by bruxism — regular, often intense jaw clenching and grinding — and the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine says the condition is rising. Some studies suggest nearly one in four people experience bruxism, although many are unaware of it until symptoms appear.

What is bruxism and what are the symptoms?

Bruxism is an umbrella term for four different jaw movements: clenching, grinding, bracing and thrusting. Some people grind at night, others during the day. Signs include earache or pain near the temples without an infection, jaw ache and headaches. The British Dental Association says there is some anecdotal evidence that bruxism is becoming more common, but it has no specific figures.

Why are more young people grinding their teeth?

Dr Aditi Desai, president of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, says: “It is definitely on the rise. And it’s no surprise given that life itself nowadays can be so stressful.” Studies suggest many people grind their teeth because of stress. Psychotherapist Rahi Popat says more of his clients, particularly younger ones, say they or someone else has noticed they grind, and often link it to a stressful period. Stress and trauma can put the body in “fight or flight” mode, raising heart rate and tensing muscles, and because the jaw and the nervous system are closely linked through the major cranial nerves, that tension triggers clenching and grinding, he says. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy says teeth grinding is mentioned more frequently in therapy.

How is bruxism treated?

Treatment includes mouthguards and, in some cases, Botox injections into the masseter muscles that control the jaw. Ella, a 31-year-old with bruxism, paid her dentist privately for the injections — they are not routinely offered on the NHS — after she was told her teeth were at risk. She says the procedure relaxed the muscles and reduced tension in her face, and that the effect should last three to four months. Dr Simon Cove, a dentist who treats NHS and private patients, uses a 3D scanner to assess wear over time; he says severe cases can be extremely complex to treat and cost thousands of pounds, though they are relatively uncommon and take years to develop. On the wider question of health payments in the UK, the vaccine damage payment scheme has cost £83m to run while paying out £32m, and rules on which procedures health systems cover differ between countries: assisted dying laws now cover about 400 million people worldwide under divergent rules.

Can teeth grinding ever be a good thing?

Prof Frank Lobbezoo, a leading researcher on bruxism, says the condition is not always the “bad guy”. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), caused by a blocked airway, is “a very good example of why bruxism can keep you alive”, because a patient may grind their teeth to move the blockage and breathe again, he says. Dr Aditi Desai says dentists “too often” give out mouthguards without checking why the grinding is happening.

Frequently asked questions

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is an umbrella term covering four jaw movements: clenching, grinding, bracing and thrusting. It can happen at night or during the day, and some studies suggest nearly one in four people experience it.

Why do young people grind their teeth?

Stress is a commonly cited cause. Dr Aditi Desai of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine says bruxism is “definitely on the rise” and links it to stressful modern life, while psychotherapist Rahi Popat says clients often connect their grinding to a stressful period.

Does Botox help with teeth grinding?

Ella, a 31-year-old with bruxism, paid her dentist privately for Botox injections into her masseter muscles after being told her teeth were at risk. She says the treatment relaxed her jaw and reduced facial tension, with the effect expected to last three to four months.

Can teeth grinding be a sign of sleep apnoea?

Yes, according to Prof Frank Lobbezoo, who says obstructive sleep apnoea — caused by a blocked airway — is a good example of why bruxism can keep a patient alive, because grinding may help move the blockage so the person can breathe again.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Clinic Doctor — Mali Maeder / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)