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Metro
3 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth right now — including you
'You've worn your molars right down,' said my dentist, matter-of-factly, as she snapped the latex gloves from her hands. 'I can practically hear your jaw clicking.' I did my best not to feel offended. 'Sorry,' I mumbled, rubbing my aching massester muscles. I'm one of the 8 to 10% of the UK population that grinds their teeth in some way — and I'm betting, you are too. I'm not entirely sure when it started, but these days, I'm all-too-aware that I do it pretty much every night. I've woken myself up one-too-many times by accidentally biting down on my tongue (yes, it really hurts) and when my alarm goes off, I open my eyes with an aching jaw. The habit seeps into my waking hours too. I'll suddenly become aware that my jaw is clenched, as though that's its default position. I once heard (e.g. watched a TikTok video) that the three-finger test is a quick way to asses your jaw mobility. If you can fit three stacked fingers between your upper and lower reeth, you're in the normal range. I can only just about do it. But bruxism, the umbrella term for teeth-grinding or jaw clenching, does more than just make your jaw ache. In fact, it can cause a whole host of issues, from dental problems and headaches, to pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and TMJ disorders. To put it mildly, teeth grinding is no picnic — and it's even more annoying when you consider that you're most likely doing it subconciously. And while the current estimates would suggest that around 6.7 million Brits deal with condition, it seems to be on the rise. Post-pandemic, a USA-based 2021 survey among dentists found that 70% reported an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth. More recently, the hashtag #teethgrinding on TikTok has a staggering 262.9 million views, while #unclencyourjaw has 37.7 million. You can even buy tshirts and artwork on Etsy emblazoned with the phrase 'unclench your jaw'. And dentist Dr Sahil Patel, of London's Marylebone Smile Clinic, tells Metro that he's seeing an increasing number of patients displaying signs of bruxism. 'Well developed jaw muscles show as a squarer facial appearance or stronger jawline,' he explains. 'And, on the teeth themselves, bruxism causes accelerated tooth wear and breakage, making teeth look shorter, squarer and yellower. Tooth sensitivity and gum recession can also be a sign.' Why have we become a nation unable to relax our faces? While it's not always clear why people do it, stress and anxiety is a well-observed cause. 'Our patients are absoloutely more stressed than ever,' Dr Sahil says. 'They may not always disclose it to us, but we can sense when someone is stressed. We're seeing it more with younger people.' Mental Health UK's annual Burnout Report, released in January 2025, found that one in three adults either 'always or often' experience high or extreme levels of pressure or stress, while nine in 10 say they've experienced it at some point over the last year. Mind also found that women are more likely than men to experience common mental health problems (20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men affected), with young women aged 16 to 24 at the highest risk. It's worth nothing that women are also more likely to experience bruxism, particularly when they're awake. Experts are pretty much in agreement that society is increasinly stressful. Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says we live an era of 'uncertainty and instability'. She tells Metro: 'Political unrest, economic fluctuations, and environmental crises result in an unpredictability which leaves people feeling out of control regarding their futures.' Our 'always-online' culture, particularly experienced by younger generations also doesn't help, as Dr Manpreet says we face 'technological overload.' 'Social media platforms promote curated representations of life, leading us to measure their worth against others. Additionally, urbanisation has contributed to a disconnection from nature. People confined to busy city lives miss out on the calming effects of the natural world.' Workplace pressures have changed too. 'The rise of remote work and gig economies has introduced ambiguity about job security and increased workloads,' says Dr Manpreet. 'Many young employees, striving for stability in uncertain times, experience burnout and chronic stress as they juggle multiple responsibilities. 'Rigid schedules and the lack of work-life balance lead many to neglect self-care practices.' And finally, as ever, the global pandemic plays a part. Dr Manpreet says: 'It heightened health-related anxieties, with individuals increasingly focused on personal safety. 'This ongoing concern can create a cycle of stress that affects various facets of life. 'It's no surprise that there's a growing prevalence of conditions like bruxism.' What are the options for treating jaw clenching? So, aside from taking an indefinite holiday to escape the stressors of daily life, what can we do to relieve all this tension? According to Dr Sahil, your dentist can help. 'We can't manage your stress, but we can do a few things to manage the symptoms,' he says. 'Night guards can cushion the contact between the teeth during the night, or reainers, which are thinner, are designed to keep the teeth in their position and protect from night grinding. 'They come in many different forms and materials, but the ballpark cost for these is between £250 and £500.' Alternatively, nurse prescriber and aesthetic trainer, Natalja Andrejeva, says that Botox is an 'emerging go-to solution' for teeth-grinding. 'Over the past few years, I've seen a noticeable rise in clicents seeking relief from bruxism using Botox, especially post-pandemic,' she tells Metro. 'Botox is injected into the masseter muscles to relax them. This reduces the intensity of clenching and grinding without affecting your ability to chew or speak.' The result? 'Less jaw tension, fewer headaches, and better sleep and quality of life. You'll also get a slightly slimmer jawline,' adds Natalja, founder of Face Code Aesthetic, where she offers the treatment, starting at £290. 'Typically, treatment would be required every three to six months, depending on muscle strength and individual response. 'But over time, some clients find they can space out treatments more as the habit and symptoms lessen.' Of course, the ultimate — and almost impossible solution — is to live a stress-free life. But until then, be safe in the knowledge that you're far from the only one — and don't forget to unclench your jaw. Do you have a story to share?
Metro
3 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth now — including you
'You've worn your molars right down,' said my dentist, matter-of-factly, as she snapped the latex gloves from her hands. 'I can practically hear your jaw clicking.' I did my best not to feel offended. 'Sorry,' I mumbled, rubbing my aching massester muscles. I'm one of the 8 to 10% of the UK population that grinds their teeth in some way — and I'm betting, you are too. I'm not entirely sure when it started, but these days, I'm all-too-aware that I do it pretty much every night. I've woken myself up one-too-many times by accidentally biting down on my tongue (yes, it really hurts) and when my alarm goes off, I open my eyes with an aching jaw. The habit seeps into my waking hours too. I'll suddenly become aware that my jaw is clenched, as though that's its default position. I once heard (e.g. watched a TikTok video) that the three-finger test is a quick way to asses your jaw mobility. If you can fit three stacked fingers between your upper and lower reeth, you're in the normal range. I can only just about do it. But bruxism, the umbrella term for teeth-grinding or jaw clenching, does more than just make your jaw ache. In fact, it can cause a whole host of issues, from dental problems and headaches, to pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and TMJ disorders. To put it mildly, teeth grinding is no picnic — and it's even more annoying when you consider that you're most likely doing it subconciously. And while the current estimates would suggest that around 6.7 million Brits deal with condition, it seems to be on the rise. Post-pandemic, a USA-based 2021 survey among dentists found that 70% reported an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth. More recently, the hashtag #teethgrinding on TikTok has a staggering 262.9 million views, while #unclencyourjaw has 37.7 million. You can even buy tshirts and artwork on Etsy emblazoned with the phrase 'unclench your jaw'. And dentist Dr Sahil Patel, of London's Marylebone Smile Clinic, tells Metro that he's seeing an increasing number of patients displaying signs of bruxism. 'Well developed jaw muscles show as a squarer facial appearance or stronger jawline,' he explains. 'And, on the teeth themselves, bruxism causes accelerated tooth wear and breakage, making teeth look shorter, squarer and yellower. Tooth sensitivity and gum recession can also be a sign.' While it's not always clear why people do it, stress and anxiety is a well-observed cause. 'Our patients are absoloutely more stressed than ever,' Dr Sahil says. 'They may not always disclose it to us, but we can sense when someone is stressed. We're seeing it more with younger people.' Mental Health UK's annual Burnout Report, released in January 2025, found that one in three adults either 'always or often' experience high or extreme levels of pressure or stress, while nine in 10 say they've experienced it at some point over the last year. Mind also found that women are more likely than men to experience common mental health problems (20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men affected), with young women aged 16 to 24 at the highest risk. It's worth nothing that women are also more likely to experience bruxism, particularly when they're awake. Experts are pretty much in agreement that society is increasinly stressful. Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says we live an era of 'uncertainty and instability'. She tells Metro: 'Political unrest, economic fluctuations, and environmental crises result in an unpredictability which leaves people feeling out of control regarding their futures.' Our 'always-online' culture, particularly experienced by younger generations also doesn't help, as Dr Manpreet says we face 'technological overload.' 'Social media platforms promote curated representations of life, leading us to measure their worth against others. Additionally, urbanisation has contributed to a disconnection from nature. People confined to busy city lives miss out on the calming effects of the natural world.' Workplace pressures have changed too. 'The rise of remote work and gig economies has introduced ambiguity about job security and increased workloads,' says Dr Manpreet. 'Many young employees, striving for stability in uncertain times, experience burnout and chronic stress as they juggle multiple responsibilities. 'Rigid schedules and the lack of work-life balance lead many to neglect self-care practices.' And finally, as ever, the global pandemic plays a part. Dr Manpreet says: 'It heightened health-related anxieties, with individuals increasingly focused on personal safety. 'This ongoing concern can create a cycle of stress that affects various facets of life. 'It's no surprise that there's a growing prevalence of conditions like bruxism.' So, aside from taking an indefinite holiday to escape the stressors of daily life, what can we do to relieve all this tension? According to Dr Sahil, your dentist can help. 'We can't manage your stress, but we can do a few things to manage the symptoms,' he says. 'Night guards can cushion the contact between the teeth during the night, or reainers, which are thinner, are designed to keep the teeth in their position and protect from night grinding. 'They come in many different forms and materials, but the ballpark cost for these is between £250 and £500.' Alternatively, nurse prescriber and aesthetic trainer, Natalja Andrejeva, says that Botox is an 'emerging go-to solution' for teeth-grinding. 'Over the past few years, I've seen a noticeable rise in clicents seeking relief from bruxism using Botox, especially post-pandemic,' she tells Metro. 'Botox is injected into the masseter muscles to relax them. This reduces the intensity of clenching and grinding without affecting your ability to chew or speak.' More Trending The result? 'Less jaw tension, fewer headaches, and better sleep and quality of life. You'll also get a slightly slimmer jawline,' adds Natalja, founder of Face Code Aesthetic, where she offers the treatment, starting at £290. 'Typically, treatment would be required every three to six months, depending on muscle strength and individual response. 'But over time, some clients find they can space out treatments more as the habit and symptoms lessen.' Of course, the ultimate — and almost impossible solution — is to live a stress-free life. But until then, be safe in the knowledge that you're far from the only one — and don't forget to unclench your jaw. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: Vogue has started using AI models — what does it mean for beauty standards? MORE: I thought it was just post-baby belly — but my 'bump' hid a sinister secret MORE: Trinny Woodall opens up on ex-husband's suicide and says there's 'nothing I could have done' Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Sports.com signs five-year ₹100-crore deal with Super League Kerala for streaming rights
a part of the USA-based SEGG Media Group, has signed a five-year global partnership with Super League Kerala that could increase the football league's viewership in a big way. 'This is a ₹100-crore deal and the contract is for five years. The global live streaming rights are now with Mathew Joseph, the CEO of the Super League Kerala (SLK), told The Hindu on Monday. 'This is also first entry into India, it will become the exclusive OTT platform for the SLK and it will be free of cost. That is what we are more interested in.' Joseph revealed the deal, signed in Dubai, will also help build more content around the SLK which attracted nearly 13 million viewers for its debut season last year. 'They will also help us with content creation around the SLK which they have done globally for many sports…behind the scenes, they create a lot of interesting documentaries,' said Joseph. 'This deal represents a huge leap forward for the SLK. It allows us to amplify our reach across continents while delivering world-class fan engagement and streaming experiences to millions who love Kerala football,' said Firoz Meeran, Director, SLK. 'This is more than a sports rights deal. To enter the Indian market through Kerala, a state with an electrifying football culture and millions of global fans, gives us a high-growth, cash-yielding product to launch the app with force.'
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Super League Kerala signs five-year Rs 100-crore streaming rights deal with Sports.com
a part of the USA-based SEGG Media Group, has signed a five-year global partnership with Super League Kerala that could increase the football league's viewership in a big way. 'This is a Rs 100-crore deal and the contract is for five years. The global live streaming rights are now with Mathew Joseph, the CEO of the Super League Kerala (SLK), told Sportstar on Monday. 'This is also first entry into India; it will become the exclusive OTT platform for the SLK, and it will be free of cost. That is what we are more interested in,' he added. Joseph revealed that the deal, signed in Dubai, will also help build more content around the SLK, which attracted nearly 13 million viewers for its debut season last year. ALSO READ | VP Suhair set to join Jamshedpur FC ahead of Durand Cup 'They will also help us with content creation around the SLK which they have done globally for many sports…behind the scenes, they create a lot of interesting documentaries,' said Joseph. 'This deal represents a huge leap forward for the SLK. It allows us to amplify our reach across continents while delivering world-class fan engagement and streaming experiences to millions who love Kerala football,' said Firoz Meeran, Director, SLK. 'This is more than a sports rights deal. To enter the Indian market through Kerala, a State with an electrifying football culture and millions of global fans, gives us a high-growth, cash-yielding product to launch the app with force,' Firoz added. Related Topics Super League Kerala
Cision Canada
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Full Circle Lithium's Fire Extinguishing Agent FCL-X™ Achieves UL Class A Fire Recognition - Unlocking Major U.S. and Global Market Opportunities
USA-based Underwriters Laboratories Solutions (UL) is a globally trusted leading authority in safety certification After passing all required UL testing and with UL Class A Fire Recognition in hand, FCL expects to open new end-user markets in the USA as well as internationally, including industrial, commercial, retail, military, and government transportation agencies This significant milestone is in addition to all the breakthrough achievements FCL-X™ has demonstrated in extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires efficiently, effectively, and safely TORONTO, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Full Circle Lithium Corp. ("FCL" or the "Company") (TSXV: FCLI) (OTCQB: FCLIF), a USA-based manufacturer of lithium-ion battery specialty firefighting agent, FCL-X™, is pleased to announce that its revolutionary fire extinguishing agent, FCL-X™, has received Class A Fire Water-Based Agent Fire Extinguishers Component Recognition for both USA and Canada ("Class A Fire Recognition") from Underwriters Laboratories Solutions ("UL"), a globally trusted authority in safety certification. This milestone not only validates the product's quality, safety, and effectiveness in extinguishing Class A fires but also opens the door to significant new market opportunities across multiple high-growth sectors. FCL-X™ is already widely recognized for its breakthrough performance in extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires—a rapidly growing safety concern in everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and energy storage. The new UL Class A Fire Recognition now enables broader adoption of FCL-X™ in environments where traditional combustibles like wood, paper, textiles, and plastics are common. Positioned for Accelerated Growth "This certification is a major inflection point for FCL," said Carlos Vicens, CEO, Founder, and Director of Full Circle Lithium. "With the UL Class A Fire Recognition now in place, we are poised to expand our reach into new verticals—particularly industrial, commercial, retail, military, and government transportation agencies—that require certified, scalable fire suppression solutions. We believe this opens the door to accelerated revenue growth and a broader commercial footprint in the U.S. and globally." The UL certification process involved comprehensive testing of representative samples of FCL-X™, all of which met the stringent safety and performance criteria set by the organization. This recognition confirms the product's reliability for widespread use in professional fire safety environments. Looking ahead, FCL is preparing to pursue further regulatory and industry certifications, including those specific to lithium-ion battery fire suppression, positioning the Company as a category leader in next-generation firefighting solutions. Technical Description of FCL-X™ FCL-X™ is an aqueous solution, primarily water, enhanced with crucial proprietary active ingredients, making it uniquely effective for both Class A Fires, as demonstrated by the UL recognition mentioned above, and, particularly, lithium-ion battery fires. Its high-water content allows for superior penetration of the lithium-ion battery compared to non-water-based agents. Unlike foam and vermiculite, which act as temporary barriers on the surface of the ongoing chemical reaction, FCL-X™ penetrates and halts the reaction at the cell level. Critically, any lithium-ion battery on fire and experiencing thermal runaway will have an open vent. This vent is essential, as it allows FCL-X™ to be introduced directly to the source of the fire, stopping or minimizing the chemical reaction and managing the emitted off-gas by: Neutralizing Battery Charge / Thermal Absorption: In a battery already in thermal runaway, FCL-X™ neutralizes the charge and immediately reduces thermal output by 20%. Neither water alone nor other agents achieve this. Mitigation of HF: Beyond the fire itself, the release of gaseous hydrogen fluoride (HF) poses a significant threat in lithium-ion battery ("LIB") fires. HF forms when lithiated hexafluorophosphate, a common electrolyte in LIBs, decomposes at high temperatures and reacts with water. This highly corrosive gas is potentially lethal upon inhalation. FCL-X™ effectively mitigates most or all HF by reacting with it to form a non-hazardous salt. Again, this is a capability unique to FCL-X™ compared to water or other agents. Prevention of Hydrogen Explosion: LIB anodes typically consist of lithiated graphite. Under extreme heat, lithium separates from the graphite and reacts with water, often exacerbating the fire and creating dangerously high levels of explosive hydrogen gas. FCL-X™ counteracts this. Its initial thermal absorption reduces heat, and the active ingredients form a protective layer on the lithiated graphite. The continued application of the FCL-X™ solution then smothers any remaining hydrogen gas production. This multi-faceted approach is not offered by water or other extinguishing agents. Dilution of Internal LIB Solution: The most critical aspect of extinguishing a LIB fire is diluting the burning solutions within the battery. This requires penetrating the cell, cooling the internal solution, and diluting it. FCL-X™'s enhanced cooling and the active ingredients' ability to remain effective under heat allow it to penetrate the cell more effectively before evaporation, thus facilitating this crucial dilution process. This level of internal action is not provided by water or other agents. FCL-X™ is PFAS-free ("Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or better known as "forever chemicals"). In third-party testing, the total fluorine concentration was below 1 part per million ("PPM"). Typically, a 100 μg/g PPM total fluorine level is an indication of intentionally added PFAS. FCL-X has also demonstrated extremely low toxicity to animals and humans in third-party laboratory testing. These factors underscore the FCL-X™ safety profile. It is important to note that UL has not provided nor given any guidance for lithium-ion battery fires for any company worldwide, including FCL. The Class A Fire Recognition is strictly geared towards Class A fires. About UL UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for more than 120 years. Its more than 11,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. UL partners with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit About Full Circle Lithium Corp. FCL has developed an innovative lithium-ion battery fire-extinguishing agent named FCL-X™ to address the increasing number of difficult-to-extinguish and hazardous lithium-ion battery-based fires. FCL-X™ is a non-hazardous fire extinguishing agent specifically designed to combat lithium-ion cell and/or battery fires. A water-based solution, FCL-X™ has been tested by 3 rd party laboratories as well as on live battery fires, on both small and industrial scale fires, and has proved that it mitigates the lithium oxidation reaction, limiting hydrogen generation and stabilizing decomposing electrolytes. FCL-X™ is easy to use, with fast heat dissipation, minimal clean-up, and non-hazardous properties, making it a sustainable choice. FCL has gathered a leading technical team with over 100 years of combined lithium, fire, and safety training and firefighting experience. Additional information regarding FCL is available on SEDAR at under the Company's profile and on its website For further information: Full Circle Lithium Corp. Carlos Vicens - CEO & Director [email protected] +1.416.977.3832 Cautionary Statement Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the Canada and which are based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management of the parties as of the date of this news release unless otherwise stated. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "could", "believe", "plans", "intends" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. More particularly, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning expectations on the effectiveness of the marketing and sales of FCL-X™ through distribution agreements, the viability, effectiveness, safety and additional commercialization related to FCL-X™ which is at an early stage of commercialization (which is very difficult for a start-up venture like FCL as there are much larger and better capitalized established companies that can potentially quickly enter the lithium-ion battery fire-fighting market and create strong competition against FCL), on receiving patent protection for FCL-X™ and related inventions and processes, the ability of FCL, a start-up venture, to successfully commercialize its FCL-X™ including ramping-up production of the agent to meet potential demand, continue raising capital, upgrading and refurbishing its plant, and sourcing feedstock for this and its other lines of business. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the uncertainties and risk factors related to the technical elements in a processing and refining business, loss of key technical and other staff, lithium price fluctuations, the battery fire-extinguishing agent functioning as expected to meet safety requirements and fire-fighting related government regulations and potential client product specifications, and applicable environmental requirements and issues – see additional risks described in FCL's public filings. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. FCL disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law. Additionally, FCL undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of FCL, its financial or operating results or its securities.
