Bruxismo como consequência do estresse pandêmico: revisão integrativa / Bruxism as a consequence of pandemic stress: integrative review

O período pandêmico com todas as suas implicações possibilitou um aumento dos níveis de estresse em parte da população, que teve como consequência a obtenção ou o agravamento do bruxismo. Objetivo: O objetivo deste artigo foi realizar uma revisão integrativa sobre como o estresse causado pela pandemia de COVID-19 influenciou no desenvolvimento do bruxismo, considerando o perfil dos indivíduos acometidos. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura a partir da seleção de artigos publicados nas bases de dados BVS, PubMed e EBSCOhost. Para isto, a seguinte questão de pesquisa foi formulada: "Existe relação entre o bruxismo e a pandemia de COVID-19?". A busca objetivou encontrar artigos publicados em português, espanhol e inglês, durante os anos de 2019 a 2023, utilizando os descritores "bruxismo", "COVID-19" e "estresse psicológico" e as suas respectivas versões em inglês, juntamente com a estratégia de busca AND. Revisão de literatura: Vinte estudos foram incluídos, ficando evidente uma prevalência do bruxismo como consequência do estresse pandêmico em pessoas jovens, do sexo feminino, além de estudantes/profissionais da área da saúde. Considerações finais: Acredita-se que a pandemia de COVID-19 vivenciada entre os anos de 2019 e 2023 tenha causado e/ou exacerbado estresse, sendo este um importante fator causador do bruxismo.(AU)

The pandemic period with all its implications allowed an increase in stress levels in part of the population, which resulted in the obstruction or worsening of bruxism. Objective: The aim of this article was to carry out an integrative review on how the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the development of bruxism, considering the profile of affected individuals. Method: An integrative literature review was carried out based on the selection of articles published in the VHL, PubMed and EBSCOhost databases. For this, the following research question was formulated: "Is there a relationship between bruxism and the COVID-19 pandemic?". The search aimed to find articles published in Portuguese, Spanish and English, during the years 2019 to 2023, using the descriptors "bruxism", "COVID-19" and "psychological stress" and their respective versions in English, together with the strategy of search AND. Integratve review: Twenty studies were included, revealing a prevalence of bruxism as a consequence of pandemic stress in young, females, in addition to students/health professionals. Final considerations: It is believed that the COVID-19 pandemic experienced between 2019 and 2023 caused and/or exacerbated stress, which is an important factor causing bruxism.(AU)

Awake bruxism frequency and psychosocial factors in college preparatory students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of reported masticatory muscles activity during wakefulness (i.e., awake bruxism [AB]), levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in college preparatory students. METHODS: Sixty-nine college preparatory students participated in the study. AB was evaluated by the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC) and a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA; [Bruxapp®]). Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, stress was evaluated by the Perceived Stress Scale, and OHRQoL was obtained by The Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The average EMA-reported frequency of AB behaviors was 38.4%. Significant correlations were found between AB and the OBC, anxiety, depression, stress, and OHRQoL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: College preparatory students demonstrated moderate frequency of AB, which was significantly correlated with psychosocial factors.

Music Modulates Awake Bruxism in Chronic Painful Temporomandibular Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: In this experimental study, we aimed to determine whether guided music listening (GML) - a music intervention based on models of mood mediation and attention modulation - modulates masticatory muscle activity and awake bruxism in subjects with chronic painful muscular temporomandibular disorders (TMD myalgia, mTMD), a condition causing a significant burden to patients, their families, and healthcare systems. BACKGROUND: Awake bruxism - a stress behavior characterized by clenching of the teeth - is a strong contributor to chronic mTMD. GML modulates psychological stress and motor responses and could thus reduce muscle activity in chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including mTMD. METHODS: We recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity in the right masseter of 14 women with chronic (>6 months) mTMD (median [IQR] = 39.5.3 [24.3] years) and 15 pain-free women (median [IQR] = 30.0 [3.5] years) during a GML session, including 3 music (stressful, relaxing, and participants' favorite music) and a no-music (pink noise) control blocks, each lasting 15 minutes. We measured the motor effort of the right masseter relative to the participants' maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the muscular effort to maintain mandibular posture (EMGposture ), and to produce spontaneous awake bruxism episodes (EMGbruxism ), and the duration and frequency of spontaneous awake bruxism episodes. We tested between-group and within-group (between blocks) differences, as well as the effect of the interaction group by experimental block on these outcome measures. RESULTS: In both groups, EMGposture was significantly affected by the interaction group by experimental block (P < .001). Compared to pink noise [mean (95% CI); mTMD: 2.2 (1.6-2.8) %MVC; Controls: 1.1 (0.5-1.7) %MVC], EMGposture increased during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI); mTMD: +0.8 (0.7-0.8) %MVC; Controls: +0.3 (0.3-0.4) %MVC; both P < .001], and decreased during the relaxing [mTMD: -0.4 (-0.5 to -0.4) %MVC; Controls: -0.3 (-0.4 to -0.3) %MVC; both P < .001] and favorite [mTMD: -0.5 (-0.6 to -0.5) %MVC; Controls: -0.5 (-0.5 to -0.4) %MVC; both P < .001] music blocks. EMGposture was greater in mTMD individuals than controls during the favorite music [contrast estimate (95% CI): +1.1 (0.2-1.9) %MVC; P = .019] and the pink noise [+1.1 (0.2-2.0) %MVC; P = .014] blocks. EMGbruxism was significantly affected by the interaction group by experimental block (P < .001). In mTMD participants, compared to the pink noise block [mean (95% CI); 23.8 (16.0-31.6) %MVC], EMGbruxism increased during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI); +10.2 (8.6-11.8) %MVC], and decreased during the relaxing [-6.2 (-8.1 to -4.3) %MVC; P < .001] and favorite [-10.2 (-12.2 to -9.1) %MVC; P < .001] music blocks. These effects were not observed in the control group [mean (95% CI); pink noise: 19.3 (10.9-27.6); stressful: 21.2 (12.9-29.4) %MVC; relaxing: 21.6 (13.3-29.9) %MVC; favorite: 24.2 (15.8-32.7) %MVC; all P > .05]. EMGbruxism was significantly greater in mTMD participants than controls during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI): +12.9 (1.6-24.2) %MVC; P = .026). GML did not affect the duration or the frequency of awake bruxism in either group (median [IQR], mTMD: 23.5 [96.7] s, range 1-1300 seconds; Controls: 5.5 [22.5], range 0-246 seconds; P = .108). The frequency of awake bruxism episodes was greater in the mTMD group compared to controls only during the pink noise block (median [IQR], mTMD: 5 [15.3] episodes, range 0-62 episodes; Controls: 1 [3] episode, range 0-27 episodes; P = .046). No significant between-group differences were found in either the overall time spent engaging in awake bruxism (median [IQR], mTMD: 23.5 [96.7] s, range 1-1300 seconds; Controls: 5.5 [22.5], range 0-246 seconds; P = .108), or during each block (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with chronic mTMD, relaxing music and the individual's favorite music decreased the muscular effort during spontaneous awake bruxism episodes by 26% and 44% (relative changes), respectively. In contrast, stressful music increases it by about 43%. Because of its positive effects on awake bruxism, GML with selected music could be a promising and non-invasive component of a multimodal approach for the management of chronic mTMD.

On Psychosomatic Problems in Dentistry.

In their daily practice dentists frequently have patients showing signs of stress-related oral manifestations in different forms. Stress-related aetiology of oral changes are still not investigated enough, and present a subgroup of psychosomatic diseases which had been recognized in medicine a long time ago. Recognition of such psychological or emotional disturbance needs deep evaluation "per exclusionem", and is beneficial for both the patient and clinician. Psychological management should be taken into consideration when treating patients with these psychosomatic disorders. Therapeutic approach comprises different forms of psychotherapy and medication as well.

The association of self-reported awake bruxism with anxiety, depression, pain threshold at pressure, pain vigilance, and quality of life in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of awake bruxism was associated with temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms, pain threshold at pressure, pain vigilance, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and anxiety and depression symptoms in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. METHODOLOGY: This observational study followed patients who had started receiving orthodontic treatment for six months. The following variables were measured three times (at baseline, one month, and six months): pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the right and left masseter, anterior temporalis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and right forearm; pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire; and shortened form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured using the Beck anxiety inventory and the Beck depression inventory, respectively. The patients were divided into two main groups according to the presence (n=56) and absence (n=58) of possible awake bruxism. The multi-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied on the date (p=0.050). RESULTS: TMJ and/or muscle pain were not observed in both groups. Time, sex, age group, and awake bruxism did not affect the PPT in the masticatory muscles and pain vigilance (p>0.050). However, the primary effect of awake bruxism was observed when anxiety (ANOVA: F=8.61, p=0.004) and depression (ANOVA: F=6.48, p=0.012) levels were higher and the OHRQoL was lower (ANOVA: F=8.61, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The patients with self-reported awake bruxism undergoing an orthodontic treatment did not develop TMJ/masticatory muscle pain. The self-reported awake bruxism is associated with higher anxiety and depression levels and a poorer OHRQoL in patients during the orthodontic treatment.

The association of self-reported awake bruxism with anxiety, depression, pain threshold at pressure, pain vigilance, and quality of life in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of awake bruxism was associated with temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms, pain threshold at pressure, pain vigilance, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and anxiety and depression symptoms in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Methodology This observational study followed patients who had started receiving orthodontic treatment for six months. The following variables were measured three times (at baseline, one month, and six months): pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the right and left masseter, anterior temporalis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and right forearm; pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire; and shortened form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured using the Beck anxiety inventory and the Beck depression inventory, respectively. The patients were divided into two main groups according to the presence (n=56) and absence (n=58) of possible awake bruxism. The multi-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied on the date (p=0.050). Results TMJ and/or muscle pain were not observed in both groups. Time, sex, age group, and awake bruxism did not affect the PPT in the masticatory muscles and pain vigilance (p>0.050). However, the primary effect of awake bruxism was observed when anxiety (ANOVA: F=8.61, p=0.004) and depression (ANOVA: F=6.48, p=0.012) levels were higher and the OHRQoL was lower (ANOVA: F=8.61, p=0.004). Conclusion The patients with self-reported awake bruxism undergoing an orthodontic treatment did not develop TMJ/masticatory muscle pain. The self-reported awake bruxism is associated with higher anxiety and depression levels and a poorer OHRQoL in patients during the orthodontic treatment.

Estados psicoemocionales y presencia de bruxismo en estudiantes de odontología peruanos / Psychoemotional States and the Presence of Bruxism in Peruvian Dental Students

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre los estados psicoemocionales y la presencia de bruxismo en una muestra de estudiantes de pregrado de odontología de una universidad pública de Lima-Perú. La muestra estuvo conformada por 181 estudiantes seleccionados aleatoriamente. El bruxismo y los estados psicoemocionales estudiados: estrés, ansiedad (estado y rasgo) y depresión fueron medidos a través de instrumentos validados. Los resultados arrojaron una correlación baja pero altamente significativa (p<0,001) del bruxismo con el estrés, depresión y ansiedad estado. Se concluye que los estados emocionales contribuyen a la presencia de bruxismo en estudiantes de odontología.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between psycho-emotional states and the presence of bruxism in a sample of students at a public School of Dentistry in Lima-Peru. The sample was 181 randomly selected students. Bruxism and the psycho-emotional states such as: stress, anxiety (state and trait) and depression were studied and measured through validated instruments. The results showed a low but highly significant correlation (p <0.001) between bruxism, stress, depression and the anxiety state. It is concluded that emotional states contribute to the presence of bruxism in dental students.

Psychosocial Predictors of Bruxism.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the psychosocial predictors of bruxism. The association of various psychosocial factors such as alexithymia, emotional processing, state and trait anxiety, and stress with awake bruxism was analysed. METHODS: The study involved 52 volunteers diagnosed with awake bruxism. The toolkit that was used included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Emotional Processing Scale (EPS), the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the State- and Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI), with independent individual psychological diagnoses being made for every patient. The results were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 24. RESULTS: The obtained data clearly show that psychological traits-both permanent dispositions (e.g., state anxiety and alexithymia) and temporary states (e.g., trait anxiety, emotional processing deficits, and psychological stress)-are significant determinants of awake bruxism. The percentage of explained variance indicates the presence of other factors as well. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial factors such as state anxiety and trait anxiety, alexithymia, and perceived stress are as important as somatic causes in the occurrence and maintenance of awake bruxism. The profile of the obtained data suggests the possibility of preventing or minimizing the symptoms of awake bruxism through properly constructed psychoprophylactic interactions.

Oral parafunctions, personality traits, anxiety and their association with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between oral parafunctions, personality traits, anxiety and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the adolescents. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy adolescents were examined clinically for the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. Participants completed questionnaires about demographic variables, medical history, symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, parafunctional oral habits, Minnesota Multibasic Personality Inventory, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed that bruxism was associated with joint tenderness (Odds ratio (OR)=6.38, p < 0.01), joint noises (OR=6.02, p < 0.01) and masticatory muscle tenderness (OR=4.19, p < 0.05) to palpation. State anxiety showed increased risk of joint tenderness (OR=2.47, p < 0.05) and muscle tenderness (OR=3.25, p < 0.05) to palpation. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that oral parafunctions, especially bruxism, state anxiety, depression and hysteria were associated with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in adolescents.

Prevalencia de Bruxismo y Estrés en Estudiantes de Odontología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Bruxism and Stress Prevalence in Dentistry Students of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

RESUMEN: El bruxismo corresponde a una actividad parafuncional de apretamiento dentario por acción de los músculos masticatorios. Dentro de los factores etiológicos del bruxismo, se encuentran estados emocionales como la ansiedad, depresión y situaciones de estrés, entre otros. Los estudiantes de Odontología, especialmente aquellos que se encuentran en su ciclo clínico, se someten a situaciones de alta exigencia que les generan estados de depresión, estrés y ansiedad. El objetivo de este estudio es medir la prevalencia de trastornos psicológicos como depresión, ansiedad y estrés y bruxismo en estudiantes de Odontología de 4to y 5to año de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Mediante el uso de cuestionarios y exámenes clínicos, utilizando el cuestionario de la Asociación Americana de Medicina del Sueño y la Escala de Depresión-Ansiedad y Estrés (DAS-21), se determinó que el 62 % de los estudiantes presentaron bruxismo, con predominio en mujeres. Todos los alumnos que presentaron bruxismo manifestaron niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Estas cifras son importantes a considerar como señal de alerta y para generar medidas preventivas y terapéuticas para disminuir el bruxismo y los trastornos psicológicos asociados.

ABSTRACT: Bruxism corresponds to a parafunctional activity of dental tightening due to the action of masticatory muscles. Within the etiological factors of bruxism, there are emotional states such as anxiety, depression and stress situations, among others. Dental students, especially those who are in their clinical cycle, are subjected to high demand situations that generate states of depression, stress and anxiety. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress and bruxism in 4th and 5th year of dentistry students of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Through the use of questionnaires and clinical examinations, using the questionnaire of the American Association of Sleep Medicine and the Depression-Anxiety and Stress Scale (DAS-21), it was determined that 62 % of the students presented bruxism, with predominance in women. All of the students that presented bruxism, manifested levels of depression, anxiety and stress. These numbers are important to consider as a warning signal and to generate preventive and therapeutic measures that contribute to the reduction of bruxism and associated psychological disorders.

Association between self-reported bruxism and anger and frustration.

BACKGROUND: Even though bruxism has been shown to be associated with several psychological factors, few studies have been performed on its relationships with anger and frustration. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between self-reported awake and sleep bruxism and anger and frustration. METHODS: In this longitudinal observational study, 55 healthy adult participants with "possible" bruxism reported their experienced level of bruxism and several psychosocial factors and lifestyle factors for 28 consecutive days using a personal logbook. The logbook consisted of a daily diary and a weekly questionnaire composed of Dutch versions of validated questionnaires. The primary outcome data were analysed using multiple regression models. RESULTS: An increase in SB of 1 unit (on a scale ranging from 1 to 10) was associated with an increase in the anger-scale of 0.03 units, and the frustration-scale of 0.04 units. However, the random intercepts were 0.22 for anger and 0.19 for frustration, meaning that there were major differences between individuals. For awake bruxism (AB), the effects were an increase of 0.04 for anger with a random intercept of 0.21 and an increase of 0.03 for frustration with a random intercept of 0.06. The effects of anger and frustration on both SB and AB were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The association between anger and frustration and self-reported bruxism is small on group level. In individual cases, anger and frustration and self-reported bruxism may be co-existent.

Autonomic responses to tooth clenching in migraineurs-augmented trigeminocardiac reflex?

BACKGROUND: Systemic autonomic changes are well known in migraineurs. Also, masticatory disorders are reported to be associated with migraine. However, if those phenomena are interrelated, and how, is unclear. Moreover, the knowledge on the autonomic responses to masticatory stimuli in migraineurs is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate tooth clenching-related cardiac autonomic regulation in migraineurs. METHODS: We compared maximal tooth clenching-induced systemic autonomic responses, indicated by heart rate variability and blood pressure changes, in headache-free migraineurs (n = 17) and control subjects (n = 22). RESULTS: Levels of high-frequency power, reflecting vagal activity, were lower in migraineurs at baseline but increased after tooth clenching whereas in controls they returned to baseline (P < 0.05, mixed model analysis). In multivariate regression model, the presence of migraine predicted the baseline levels of low- and high-frequency power and sympathovagal balance, and the post-test increase in high-frequency power, with the attack frequency and side of headache as the modifiers of the measured changes in migraineurs. The painful signs of temporomandibular disorders, found in clinical oral examination, enhanced both maximal changes in RR intervals and post-test vagal responses to tooth clenching only in migraineurs. CONCLUSION: The enhanced post-clenching vagal activation may represent a marker of the augmented trigeminocardiac reflex to stimulation of trigeminal area, sensitised in migraineurs. Our results support an involvement of autonomic mechanisms in migraine pathophysiology and are interesting in terms of interactions between migraine and masticatory disorders, elucidating one potential way how masticatory disorders may aggravate migraine.

Oral Behaviors and Parafunctions: Comparison of Temporomandibular Dysfunction Patients and Controls.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of oral behaviors in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and a control group without TMD.In this baseline case-control study, 260 controls and 260 subjects with TMD completed the oral behaviors checklist defined as a "self-report scale for identifying and quantifying the frequency of jaw overuse behavior" and underwent clinical examinations using the DC/TMJ international examination form (version May 12, 2013). Relationships of oral parafunctions' frequencies between groups were examined. The statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software.Age and gender distribution in the study groups did not reveal statistical differences (P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish system of independent oral behaviors for prognosis TMD. The stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that very frequent expression of holding, tightening, or tense muscles is associated with 10.83 times (P < 0.05) higher risk of TMD, grinding teeth together during waking hours with 4.94 times (P < 0.05) higher risk, and sustained talking with 2.64 times (P < 0.05) higher risk of TMD. By contrast, it was determined that 3 oral behaviors were less common in the TMD patients compared with the control group: clenching teeth together during waking hours, facing grimaces, and yawning (P < 0.05). The individuals with TMD reported a significantly higher frequency of 10 behaviors (P < 0.05), 3 of which may be regarded as independent risk factors for TMD. In addition, 3 oral behaviors were more frequently observed in the healthy subjects than in the TMD patients.

Personality traits and dental anxiety in self-reported bruxism. A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between psychological factors (Personality and Dental anxiety) with self-reported bruxism-related symptoms. METHODS: 526 subjects, over 18 years old and not seeking dental treatment, were recruited from the families and acquaintances of dental students from the University of Salamanca. Bruxism activity was estimated by means of a six-item questionnaire aimed at recording common bruxism-related symptoms and clenching/grinding awareness. The Spanish version of the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS) was used to determine the level of anxiety perceived in 5 typical scenarios of dental assistance. The NEO-FFI inventory was applied to assess personality profiles associated with 5 different factors (neuroticism, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness). Pearson correlations, Student T-tests, and logistic regression modelling were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-five point nine percent of this adults sample was classified as being bruxers, where sleep bruxers comprised more than half of the sample at 20.2%. Bruxers tended to perceive more anxiety in all of the situations included within the MDAS, where they exhibited a higher level of phobia towards the teeth scaling and local anaesthetic injection. The risk of being considered a bruxer is reduced with age (OR: 0.99), and increases proportionally for some personality traits, such as neuroticism (OR: 1.06) and extraversion(OR: 1.04), to the MDAS total score (OR: 1.08) and in smokers (OR: 1.61), after controlling for all potentially confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported bruxism is significantly associated to several personality traits (mainly neuroticism and extraversion) and to the level of dental anxiety (MDAS score). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians should be aware of the typical psychological profiles of patients who experience bruxism and the relationship with dental phobias.

Traumatic periapical lesion only identified through cone beam computed tomography: a case report.

This case report describes the diagnosis of a traumatic periapical lesion, caused by parafunctional habits (bruxism) and associated with bone rarefaction, that had not been identified by periapical radiography. Slight edema was observed clinically at the apical region of the maxillary left canine; however, the tooth demonstrated only physiologic mobility, and the results of a pulpal sensitivity test were inconclusive. A cone beam computed tomogram (CBCT) showed the presence of a periapical lesion. After preparation of the root canal, intracanal medication (calcium hydroxide and paramonochlorophenol) was placed and changed once a month for 2 months. After 60 days (at the time of the second medication change), the edema at the apical region was no longer visible. The root canal was filled, and CBCTs obtained 30 days and 24 months after completion of treatment showed that the lesion had regressed with bone repair. Although it is an expensive procedure, CBCT is important in the examination and diagnosis of periapical lesions that may not be seen in periapical radiographs.

Prevalence of bruxism in undergraduate students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bruxism in students at the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys in Brazil. The secondary objectives were to identify the factors associated with bruxism; prevalence of dental wear; and to distinguish the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction when present, and verify its relationship with bruxism. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-three students (106 males, 147 females) were clinically examined and answered a questionnaire. Trained researchers performed the dental wear evaluation. The incisal edge and occlusal surface were classified as follows: no wear, wear into enamel, wear into dentin, and extensive wear into dentin. Demographic data and factors related to bruxism were obtained by a questionnaire. The participants who presented dental wear and habit of clenching/grinding teeth were classified as bruxers. The data were analyzed by the SPSS program (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that 31.6% of the students had bruxism. Of the 7084 teeth evaluated, 376 (5.3%) had some type of facet wear. The teeth that had the highest prevalence of wear facets were the canines. Stress, muscle pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and TMJ noise were significantly associated with bruxism (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bruxism was 31.6% in this population. The factors most associated with bruxism were stress, muscle pain, TMJ pain, and TMJ noise.

Perceived stress and bruxism in university students.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown the correlation between bruxism and stress that affects the quality of life of university students. The present study highlights this correlation-for the first time-in a group of university students in Italy. METHODS: We have investigated the prevalence of awake and asleep bruxism and its correlation with perceived stress in a group of 278 Italian undergraduate students (117 M). A self report questionnaire was constructed using a socio-demographic test, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the item n. 8 of the Fonseca Questionnaire for presence of bruxism. RESULTS: The perceived stress score using PSS-10 scale was 32.2 (SD 4.6, 95% CL 31.6-32.7) for all the subjects, with significant gender difference: M = 31.2 and F = 32.9 (P = 0.0019). The prevalence for awake bruxism was 37.9% (F = 40.8%; M = 34.2%,), while for sleep bruxism was 31.8% (F = 33.3%; M = 29.1%), both without significant gender difference. A positive correlation, with significant concordance and dependence, between stress score and awake bruxism was present for male students only. CONCLUSIONS: University students showed higher bruxism and stress levels compared to the general population, with higher stress for females, but, even if female students show higher stress, a correlation between stress and bruxism exists only for male gender. Further studies should be performed.