The British Dental Association has said the evidence for an overall increase is anecdotal and that no national figures exist, but specialists in dental sleep medicine have concerns. Aditi Desai, president of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, told the BBC: “It is definitely on the rise,” attributing the trend to the pressures of modern life.
A condition most patients never notice
A 2024 study put global prevalence at around 22%, comprising 21% for sleep bruxism and 23% for awake bruxism, rising to 43% where sleep bruxism was assessed properly rather than self-report. Most patients are unaware until symptoms appear which include anything from flattened or chipped teeth, jaw stiffness and increased sensitivity to disrupted sleep and earache near the temples – specifically with no sign of infection.
Stress and the younger patient
A questionnaire study of 328 dental students found self-evaluated bruxism in 39.33% of the group, with significant associations between bruxism and stress, panic, and restlessness. Prosthodontist Riaz Yar, who treats severe cases, told the BBC that grinding is no longer regarded as a mechanical problem of the jaw but as a biopsychosocial issue, assessed alongside sleep patterns, diet, exercise, and medication.
Why assessment should come before a splint
A night splint protects the dentition but does not alter the behaviour, and issuing one without properly investigating the cause risks missing other conditions. Management may combine screening for apnoea, physiotherapy, CBT, and changes to sleep and lifestyle. Identified early, bruxism is manageable, but if left until restorations begin to fail, treatment becomes complex and expensive.
>Since you’re here, why not read about the hidden risk of hot drinks
Main image credit: Unsplash
