More of my clients particularly younger people are reporting that they grind their teeth while they sleep and are noticing the physical effects. These can include pain, chipped teeth and disrupted sleep, which may then affect how they feel and relate to themselves and others during the day.
Stressors That May Contribute
Among younger clients, teeth grinding increasingly appears to be connected with stressful experiences, including:
- relationship difficulties
- work and financial pressures
- the rising cost of living
- the challenge of finding a sense of belonging in a fast-paced world
- historical trauma explored in therapy
- difficulty recognising and naming emotions
Together, these pressures may contribute to stress being expressed physically through teeth grinding.
Understanding Bruxism
Bruxism is the clinical term for grinding or clenching the teeth. Dentists are seeing it increasingly often, as highlighted in a recent BBC News article to which I was pleased to contribute.
This has prompted me to reflect on what it means for clients to realise that their bodies may be releasing, during sleep, some of the stress and tension accumulated throughout the day.
Looking Beyond the Symptoms
Our smiles and teeth are among the first features we notice in ourselves and others. At a time when social media intensifies the pressure to look and feel good, many clients also feel a strong need to protect their image.
This can create a difficult cycle, the desire to look and feel well is undermined by the physical effects of stress, including teeth grinding. We therefore need to look beyond the symptom and address its underlying causes, so that we can better support younger people as they navigate the complexities of mental health and its effects on the body.
To explore the subject further, read the full BBC News article here.
