Dentists are reporting significant increases in certain conditions, according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute's latest poll.
The poll, conducted the week of Sept. 21, found that more than half (59.4 percent) of the polled dentists reported increases in the prevalence of bruxism, or excessive teeth grinding.
Overall, 53.4 percent of dentists reported increases in chipped and cracked teeth, as well as temporomandibular disorder symptoms among patients. Nearly a third (29.7 percent) of respondents said they're seeing more patients with periodontal disease, while 26.4 percent of dentists reported an increase in caries.