New research claims bruxism is linked to bullying
A recently published study has suggested that bruxism, a condition in which the sufferer will often grind their teeth, could be a result of bullying in children and teenagers.
Young people who experience bullying at school are four times more susceptible to bruxism than those who had never been subjected to bullying according to the research, which was published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, the CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, responded to the study by imploring teachers, parents and dentists to take note of the signs of constant tooth grinding, which include the wearing down of the teeth, jaw stiffness and regular headaches. He continued to condemn bullying as “abhorrent” and commented that it can leave permanent damage, both mentally and physically, on both teenagers and younger children. Although it may seem like a very small thing to look out for, taking note of bruxism could help to identify when children are facing torment in school. This could be invaluable information considering the potential effects of bullying later in life, such as severe mental health issues. Adults who regularly and unconsciously grind their teeth are usually also found to be under large amounts of stress, and the study shows that it is the same for children in this aspect.
Figures estimate that over 6 million people, both children and adults, suffer from bruxism. The condition only occurs at night and sufferers will grind their teeth repeatedly in their sleep. Dr Nigel Carter’s final words of advice to those who may be suffering from bruxism was to go and see their dentist whenever they can.
