Autistic spectrum disorder children and adolescents' oral health characteristics - scoping review.

This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to know children and adolescents' main oral health concerns with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and thus identify any oral characteristic that stands out, aiming at preventive and interceptive clinical conduct. A search was performed in the three electronic databases and the gray literature; in September 2021. A total of 562 studies were identified, and after applying the eligibility criteria, 73 articles were included in the synthesis of this scoping review. The mean decayed, lost, and restored teeth index (DMFT/dfmt) ranged from 0 to 12.37; the mean DMFT index (permanent dentition) from 0.06 to 6.2; and the average dmft index (deciduous dentition) ranged from 0.29 to 9.91. The mean simplified oral hygiene index (OHIS) ranged from 0 to 3.4; gingival index (GI) from 0.29 to 2; and plaque index (PI) from 0.005 to 3.15. Plaque prevalence was 25.9% to 90%; dental calculus from 4.7% to 59.41%; gingivitis from 36.7% to 100%. Bruxism was 10.3% to 73%, and dental trauma was 4.7% to 100%. This disparity in the results shows the heterogeneity of this population, with different degrees of socio-behavioral impairment, which can directly influence oral hygiene and the consequent accumulation of biofilm.

Effects of different interventions on bruxism: an overview of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate, qualify, and summarize evidence presented in systematic reviews (SR) on treatments for bruxism. METHODS: The overview was conducted using the PICO strategy: children, adolescents, and adults with bruxism (P) were submitted to different treatments (I) compared to other treatments, placebo, or no treatment (C) in order to evaluate incidence, prevalence, and number of episodes of bruxism (O). The search was carried out in six databases and gray literature up to July 2023. Data were extracted, and the ROBS tool was used, followed by a descriptive synthesis of the results. RESULTS: A total of 31 SR were included. Sixteen showed a positive effect on episodes of bruxism (BE), while two had negative, one had neutral, and nine had inconclusive effects. Using the risk of bias in systematic reviews tool (ROBIS), risk of bias varied from low (n = 23) to high (n = 5) among the SR. Pharmacological treatment, oral rehabilitation, and other therapeutic approaches presented inconclusive or negative effects on BE, while oral appliances showed controversial effects. Biofeedback, physical therapy, laser therapy, and botulinum toxin showed positive effects on the reduction of BE. CONCLUSION: Biofeedback, physical therapy, laser therapy, and botulinum toxin showed positive effects on the reduction of BE; there is still a lack of studies to support the safe and long-term use of these therapies. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42021273905.

Development, validation, and application of a Brazilian sleep myths and truths assessment scale (SLEEP-MTAS).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop, validate, and apply a scale assessing knowledge of sleep-related myths and truths and associate it with sociodemographic factors. METHODS: A scale with 15 questions was created, containing statements about the characteristics of sleep and related to sleep and dentistry. Each answer ranged from 0 to 4 points, generating a total score from 0 to 60, where higher scores represented greater knowledge. A preliminary study with 200 people assessed its convergent and discriminant construct validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability. The main study included 1965 respondents over 18 years. Additionally, sociodemographic data were collected and a classification of the level of knowledge was performed. Data were analyzed with Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The questionnaire showed convergent (p < 0.001) and discriminant (p = 0.024) construct validity, internal consistency (alpha = 0.7), and temporal stability (ICC = 0.87). In the main study, 90.3% of the participants had moderate and high knowledge, with the score ranging from 24 to 58. Adults over 28 years old (p < 0.001), from the southern region of Brazil (p < 0.001), who lived in capital or metropolitan areas (p < 0.001), with higher education (p < 0.001), without religion (p < 0.001), and involved in dentistry (p < 0.001) had greater knowledge than their peers. CONCLUSIONS: The scale presented good psychometric properties. Most participants had moderate and high knowledge on sleep, with a difference in knowledge related to the age, region and area of residence, education, involvement with dentistry, and religion.

Is there association between dental malocclusion and bruxism? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Given that current literature largely dissociates dental malocclusion and bruxism, the objective of this study was to gather, through a systematic review, scientific evidence to support their relationship. METHODOLOGY: This study was performed according to the PECO strategy (where P = general population; E = dental malocclusion; C = no dental malocclusion; and O = bruxism). Literature searches were conducted without language or date restrictions in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, LILACS/BBO via VHL and the grey literature. The search strategy included Medical Subject Headings/DECs, synonyms and free terms relevant to each database, with no age restrictions applied. Once the relevant data were extracted from the articles, the Fowkes and Fulton guidelines were followed to assess the quality and risk of bias. For quantitative analysis, dental malocclusions were divided into groups according to their type in order to perform odds ratio (OR) meta-analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the Review Manager software program (Cochrane, London, UK). The level of certainty of evidence was demonstrated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: After 1,502 studies found, 10 studies were included for qualitative analysis and nine for quantitative synthesis. Four studies presented high methodological quality. Five meta-analyses suggested a non-association between bruxism and Angle class I (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.41-2.69; P = .92; I2  = 84%), Angle class II (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.77-2.87; P = .23; I2  = 71%) or Angle class III (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31-1.93; P = .58; I2  = 0%). Bruxism was associated with children who did not present with a posterior crossbite (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.51-0.96; P = .03; I2  = 27%) and present crowding (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.03-2.26; P = .03; I2  = 0%). The GRADE analysis presented a very low quality of evidence. CONCLUSION: Individuals who present with bruxism have a greater chance of crowding. However, bruxism is not associated with the presence of any of the other malocclusions evaluated.

Presence of oral habits and their association with the trait of anxiety in pediatric patients with possible sleep bruxism.

BACKGROUND: Bruxism is a repetitive masticatory muscle activity with a multifactorial etiology , that can be associated to emotional factors. AIM: The aim of the study is to identify the presence of oral habits (OHs) and their association with the trait of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children [STAI-C]) in pediatric patients with possible sleep bruxism (PSB). METHODS: Children between 3 and 12 years of age with PSB reported by their parents with complete deciduous or mixed dentition were included in the present study. Sociodemographic data (SD) as well as those on OHs such as only natural (ON), artificial breastfeeding (OA) or both (NA), finger sucking (FS), pacifier use (PC), and biting nails (BN) or objects (OB) were obtained through an interview with the parents/guardians answered the Brazilian version of the STAI-C questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SD and OH as well as STAI-C findings were descriptively evaluated, while the associations between OH and STAI-C with PSB were evaluated using the Chi-square test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The final sample was 52 children (6.62 ± 1.8 years). Of these, 51.9% were males, 82.7% reported not living in social risk areas, and 21.2% were only children. Considering the OH, patients participated in ON (26.9%), OA (9.6%), and both (63.5%); 13.5% had an FS habit and 46.2% had related PC use; and 80.8% were reported to have OB biting behaviors, while 53.8% participated in BN. The STAI-C was present in 25 (48.1%) patients with PSB and was not associated with the presence of OH. CONCLUSION: There is no association between STAI-C and OH in pediatric patients with PSB.

Homeopathic medicine of Melissa officinalis combined or not with Phytolacca decandra in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism in children: A crossover randomized triple-blinded controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The present randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of homeopathic medicines of Melissa officinalis (MO), Phytolacca decandra (PD), and the combination of both in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism (SB) in children. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (n = 52) (6.62 ± 1.79 years old) were selected based on the parents report of SB. The study comprised a crossover design that included 4 phases of 30-day treatment (Placebo; MO 12c; PD 12c; and MO 12c + PD 12c), with a wash-out period of 15 days between treatments. METHODS: At baseline and after each phase, the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was used as the primary outcome measure to evaluate the influence of treatments on the reduction of SB. The following additional outcome measures were used: a children's sleep diary with parent's/guardian's perceptions of their children's sleep quality, the trait of anxiety scale (TAS) to identify changes in children's anxiety profile, and side effects reports. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Post Hoc LSD test. RESULTS: Significant reduction of SB was observed in VAS after the use of Placebo (-1.72 ± 0.29), MO (-2.36 ± 0.36), PD (-1.44 ± 0.28) and MO + PD (-2.21 ± 0.30) compared to baseline (4.91 ± 1.87). MO showed better results compared to PD (p = 0.018) and Placebo (p = 0.050), and similar result compared to MO+PD (p = 0.724). The sleep diary results and TAS results were not influenced by any of the treatments. No side effects were observed after treatments. CONCLUSION: MO showed promising results in the treatment of possible sleep bruxism in children, while the association of PD did not improve MO results.

Knowledge of parents/caregivers about the sleep bruxism of their children from all five Brazilian regions: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep bruxism (SB) is a masticatory muscle activity that affects children. Parents' knowledge is important for its identification and report to dentists. AIM: To investigate parents' knowledge about SB among their children. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study included 1325 parents of children from dental clinics of seven institutions from all regions of Brazil. Parents answered questions about child's sleep, knowledge about SB and its occurrence among children and parents. SB definition given by parents was dichotomized as "correct"/"incorrect", based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine definition. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Most parents (57.3%) did not know what SB is and 88.9% would like to receive more information. SB prevalence among parents was 15.4% and 24.0% among children. Between parents who correctly defined SB, its prevalence increased to 27.5% among parents and 40.6% among children. Parents whose children had/have SB, who would like to receive more information about SB and were from the North, Central-West, Southeast, and South regions were more likely to define SB correctly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of knowledge of parents about SB. SB among children, parents' interest in receiving more information and their location were factors associated to their knowledge.

Association of possible sleep bruxism in children with different chronotype profiles and sleep characteristics.

Sleep bruxism (SB) in children has been associated with several sleep characteristics, which may alter their sleep pattern. This change affects the internal biological clock and consequently the chronotype profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of an association between possible SB in children with specific chronotype profiles and sleep characteristics. The study included 207 parents/guardians of children aged between 3 and 12 years who were waiting for their children's dental treatment at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A questionnaire on the socio-demographic characteristics of parents and children as well as on the features of the children's sleep was applied. In addition, the CIRENS scale (Circadian Energy Scale) was completed by the parents to identify the children's chronotype. A chi-squared test was used to determine the association between possible SB, the chronotype, and sleep characteristics. A multiple logistic regression model was implemented to observe the influence of chronotype, age, and other independent variables on the possible SB. The logistic regression model demonstrated that nocturnal agitation (p = 0.009; OR = 3.42) and nightmares (p = 0.045; OR = 3.24) were associated with possible SB in children. Although no significant association (p = 0 .089) between the chronotype profile and possible SB was observed in the 3 to 5 years age group, a proportional difference was observed between the chronotype categories in this age group-12.5% of children with SB had a morning type, while 26.4% had an intermediate type and 47.8% an evening type compared to those without possible SB. Nocturnal agitation and nightmares were associated with possible SB. In addition, young children with an evening chronotype had a tendency toward possible SB.

Knowledge of parents/guardians about nocturnal bruxism in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Bruxism is a repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth and/or the bracing or thrusting of the mandible. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed parents/guardians' knowledge of nocturnal bruxism in children/adolescents. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using a validated questionnaire was carried out on 134 Brazilian guardians. Data were analyzed descriptively and through the chi-square test to assess the association if guardians reported bruxism and the causes and consequences of nocturnal bruxism. RESULTS: Mothers (68.7%) were the main contributors; 23.1% said their child had bruxism. Although most participants (73.9%) had no opinion, some believe bruxism is linked to emotional stress (13.4%), mysticism/religiosity (3.7%), health (3.7%) or dental problems (3.0%), and presence of parasites (2.2%). Among the parents/guardians of children without bruxism, 81.9% were unaware of some possible cause versus 18.1% of those with bruxism (p=0.011). There was no association between children with bruxism and the type of sleep (p=0.191) or sleep duration (p=0.377). The majority (90.3%) of guardians whose children have bruxism believe the condition affects their health (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Guardians have a widespread ignorance about the causes and consequences of sleep bruxism.