'Unprecedented number' of people grinding, clenching teeth since the pandemic began

Dentists say they have seen a significant increase in Victorians grinding and clenching their teeth since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Dr Emily Pow, who is based in Melbourne's east, says she has experienced a 30 per cent rise in the number of patients presenting with cracked teeth.

Dr Slav Vyater, from Melbourne's Bayside, has made the same observation.

READ MORE: Three new Omicron cases in Victoria, investigations into nine more

"During the pandemic we've seen an unprecedented number of people grinding and clenching their teeth and a huge number of people needing implants because they broken their teeth to a huge extent," he said.

Over time clenching and grinding, which are typically caused by stress, can crack and fracture teeth.

Dr Vyater says a lot of work goes into preventing people from clenching and grinding, such as Botox to reduce the tension in the jaw, and mouth guards to protect teeth from grating against each other.

"Some days up to 30 to 40 people people coming in just for botox in their jaw from all the stress," he said.

"We are making night guards everyday."

Dr Pow says she has also been issuing a lot more night guards to protect teeth from grinding and clenching than she did before 2020.

Dentists say the best way to avoid teeth grinding and clenching is to reduce stress overall, recommending people prioritise time to wind down, such as going for a jog after work.

The advice is to see your dentist if concerned about teeth grinding and clenching.