The majority of U.S. dentists are reporting four conditions on the rise compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute poll.
In total, 1,461 respondents were polled for the week ending Oct. 11.
Dentists were asked, "Compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, how has the prevalence of the following conditions changed among patients in your dental practice?" Responses are below.
Increased
Bruxism: 69.1 percent
Chipped teeth: 63.3 percent
Cracked teeth: 62.9 percent
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms: 59.8 percent
Caries: 38.5 percent
Periodontal disease: 37.4 percent
Stayed the same
Bruxism: 23.7 percent
Chipped teeth: 31.8 percent
Cracked teeth: 31.6 percent
TMD symptoms: 34.4 percent
Caries: 56.9 percent
Periodontal disease: 57.2 percent
Decreased
Bruxism: 0.2 percent
Chipped teeth: 0.1 percent
Cracked teeth: 0.1 percent
TMD symptoms: 0.3 percent
Caries: 0.3 percent
Periodontal disease: 0.3 percent
The remaining responses encompass the answer "Not sure."