Some dentists say more young people are grinding their teeth - are you one of them?
Dentists are reporting an increase in bruxism, or teeth grinding, among young people, which they attribute to rising stress levels. The condition can lead to significant dental damage and chronic pain, prompting experts to highlight the importance of recognizing early symptoms.
Why it matters
The trend suggests a broader public health concern regarding the physical manifestations of stress in younger generations.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Ruth Clegg Health and wellbeing reporter Getty Images Nearly one in four people are thought to have bruxism, although most are unaware they grind their teeth Ella can't remember when she first started grinding her teeth at night, but she can vividly recall the excruciating jaw ache, the headaches, and being told her molars were disappearing.
"I was in so much pain," Ella says. "My face was changing shape and my teeth were at risk of breaking - I knew I had to do something about it."
The 31-year-old has bruxism, a condition which can cause regular and often intense teeth grinding, but says the treatment she's recently had has "without a doubt" changed her life.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in