Could bruxism be a sign of bullying?

The study, published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, found that teenagers who were subjected to verbal bullying in school were almost four times as likely to suffer from sleep bruxism (65 per cent) compared to those who were not (17 per cent).

Sleep bruxism is when you grind your teeth in your sleep and over time it can lead to major oral health problems, including migraines, sensitive and worn teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, loosing of teeth, severe oral pain and irreparable damage.

The Oral Health Foundation is urging parents, carers and schools to be alert to students complaining of oral health problems and symptoms related to bruxism as a signifier of them being bullied so that they help can tackle to issue.

Speaking on the issue Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said, "Bullying of any form is absolutely abhorrent and can have a both physical and psychological impact, and when experienced in childhood, can lead to trauma that might last throughout adulthood.