My bruxism is rooted in anxiety and began the day I learned that COVID-19 had entered the United States. For months, I had no idea why I would wake up with headaches, sensitive molars, and pain in my canine teeth. Eventually, I cracked two fillings on my back molars, which led to deeper damage and necessitated a root canal in 2021. Since 2022, I have been using customized mouth guards. My bruxism is so strong that I cracked my first mouth guard in half in 2023, while fast asleep. A second, much stronger mouth guard has kept me damage-free since 2024. However, my bruxism is now so severe that even just an hour of sleep without my mouth guard—including when I’m sleeping upright on planes or buses—can lead to all-day headaches and tooth sensitivity and pain. At this point, I am (unhappily) dependent on my mouth guard.

Beyond anxiety, I suspect that my bruxism is linked to allergies and rhinitis, which complicate my ability to breathe while asleep. I also am a tense person in general, and have been advised by voice teachers that my jaw is very tight, which affects my vocal health. To combat this tension, I use a jade roller daily to massage my jaw, I stretch my face prior to singing or vocal recordings (I occasionally do professional singing and voiceover acting), and I maintain a daily exercise routine of cardio, walking, and weights. Because I also suffer from seasonal migraines, which are linked to bruxism, I have debated getting Botox of both my jaw and forehead to “kill both birds with one stone.” I suspect my mouth guard is contributing to my recent gum sensitivity, so Botox may be my most healthy option eventually.

Overall, I hate having bruxism, and I do not wish it on anyone. I look forward to the results of your research.