The war, the sirens, and the ongoing security tension naturally raise anxiety levels. For many, the stress does not remain only at a mental level but manifests physically. One of the most common phenomena during such periods is teeth grinding and jaw clenching, sometimes unconsciously, primarily at night but also during the day.
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching often indicate psychological stress and a demanding lifestyle. When stress is not released appropriately, it is expressed through intense activation of the jaw muscles, especially the masseter muscles. This activation creates increased wear on the teeth at the points of contact between the jaws and can cause changes in the shape and length of the teeth.
Beyond the wear itself, the phenomenon is sometimes accompanied by pain in the facial and neck muscles, tooth sensitivity, pain in the jaw joints, and sometimes disruption of the partner’s sleep, who may report repeated grinding noises.
Not Just a Night Guard: All Existing Treatments
Until recent years, treatment focused mainly on a custom night guard that protects the teeth from wear, alongside jaw physiotherapy, biofeedback therapy, psychological or pharmacological treatment to reduce stress, and habit modification.
A night guard prevents mechanical damage to the teeth but does not necessarily treat the intensity of the muscle contraction itself. Therefore, in some cases, pain and load on the muscles and joints continue.
In recent years, Botox treatment has also been introduced to relax the jaw muscles. The injection is administered to the masseter muscles to reduce contraction intensity and relieve load on the jaw joints and teeth. The treatment is considered particularly effective in severe cases and needs to be renewed every few months according to clinical response.
How to Recognize Teeth Grinding
Diagnosis is made by a dentist based on complaints of jaw joint pain, noticeable signs of tooth wear, and changes in tooth shape.
Sometimes patients are completely unaware of the phenomenon and come for an examination after their partners complain about teeth grinding during sleep.
Pain around the jaw joints, sudden changes in tooth length or shape, increased sensitivity, or a feeling of fatigue in the facial muscles may indicate uncontrolled jaw clenching. In such cases, it is recommended to seek an examination rather than wait for worsening.
Botox treatment is considered safe when performed by a skilled physician with precise dosage adjustment. If there is no sufficient improvement after one to two weeks, dosage adjustment can be made.
In some cases, Botox is combined with a night guard for optimal results. This is a combined approach that reduces the intensity of muscle contraction while simultaneously protecting the teeth from further wear.
The main advantage of the treatment is that it works throughout the day, is not noticeable in daily life, and reduces muscle load even beyond sleeping hours. The procedure is relatively short and simple and does not require significant recovery time.
In days of ongoing uncertainty, it is important to remember that the body responds to stress in different ways. Ignoring the symptoms may lead to cumulative damage to the teeth and jaw joints.
Early diagnosis and tailored treatment can significantly improve quality of life and reduce long-term pain and wear.
Dr. Avi Eyal is a specialist in oral rehabilitation and dental aesthetics, a graduate of the Hebrew University Hadassah Ein Kerem, with over 30 years of experience.