The effects of lockdown on teeth: what signs to be aware of?

More than a year of the pandemic prevented people from getting quality medical care which led to an increase in all sorts of health issues. According to doctors, this had a particularly negative impact on dental health as dental clinics were among the last to reopen in Lithuania following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

According to dentists, staying at home for long periods of time led to a decline in regular hygiene habits and increased stress directly resulted in overworked chewing muscles and increased teeth sensitivity. How can you spot the first signs that you need to make an appointment with your dentist and what treatment should you choose to get your healthy smile back?

Lifestyle changes affected dental health

According to Agnė Jocienė, a dentist at Vilniaus Implantologijos Namai, the pandemic revealed a clear trend: before it, people would visit specialists not only because of pain but also because of the need for regular care, but after they were confined to their homes, many started neglecting their dental care. Naturally, she says, as lockdown restrictions eased, especially after the first wave, patients suffering from long-term toothache, broken teeth or problems with dentures flooded into dental clinics. “It was not just the lack of hygiene caused by the pandemic that had a negative impact. People started eating more fast food and foods high in sugar, and harmful habits became more prevalent. Not to mention the stress and anxiety we are still experiencing. The current consequences are therefore saddening: we see cases of severe toothache that can no longer be relieved with minimal intervention, exacerbated chronic inflammation leading to tooth extraction, and broken restorations that not only spoil the appearance but also cause pain when chewing. Poor hygiene has also led to the development of multiple cavities,” says the dentist, listing the most common complaints.

Stress is also considered a risk factor

A recent survey by the American Dental Association showed that tooth grinding has increased by 71% in the country due to the pandemic, with a 63% increase in broken or chipped teeth and a 62% increase in jaw and surrounding muscle movement. According to experts, stress caused by the COVID-19 virus undoubtedly contributed to these results. Dentist Agnė Jocienė also says that the latter factor has both a direct and indirect effect on the entire human body, including the condition of the teeth. “When we experience stress, we usually clench our teeth tightly causing severe muscle contractions and straining the ligaments which leads to increased tooth grinding and clenching. In such cases, patients complain of tooth sensitivity, sometimes even pain, crumbling tooth tissue, jaw stiffness and even headaches. In Lithuania, as in the rest of the world, stress has a negative impact on dental health,” notes a dentist at Vilniaus Implantologijos Namai.

When should one be concerned?

According to the dentist, the first signs that should not be ignored are:

• Progressive or prolonged tooth sensitivity,
• Spontaneous, difficult-to-relieve toothache,
• Discomfort when chewing,
• Food accumulating between the teeth.

One should also be concerned about the condition of their teeth and consult a specialist if they experience bleeding gums, spontaneous tooth crumbling, painful jaw movements or stiffness after a night’s sleep. If you wait too long, the doctor warns, you can expect complications, and tooth sensitivity can eventually lead to nerve inflammation, untreated root infections can cause pus, swelling, and even tooth loss. If teeth break and the problem is not addressed in time, much more extensive and expensive restorations may be required, and jaw joint problems can cause headaches.

Agnė Jocienė advises not to ignore discomfort and to make an appointment with a dentist in good time. According to her, it is advisable to register for dental treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear. “This service always begins with a conversation with the patient. We find out what they are complaining about and what their expectations are. Our duty as therapists is first to find and identify the source of the pain, then to ensure smooth, pain-free chewing and, if necessary, to solve aesthetic problems. In my opinion, therapeutic treatment begins with pain relief and restoration of function. However, for some people, a chipped front tooth is a much bigger problem than a decaying back tooth, so it is very important to listen to the patient and find a balance in their treatment plan,” notes the dentist.