Probable awake bruxism - prevalence and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Bruxism is defined as a repetitive activity of masticatory muscles, characterized by the clenching or grinding of the teeth, which can occur during wakefulness (awake bruxism) or during sleep (sleep bruxism). Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of awake bruxism and its associated factors. Methods: Sample was composed by 50 participants of both genders, aged between 18 and 60 years, submitted to a clinical examination - to observe the presence of tooth wear, marks on the mucosa, or masseter muscles hypertrophy - and self-applied questionnaires, which evaluated the presence of TMD signs and symptoms, oral behaviors, lifestyles, anxiety level and sleep quality. Results: The prevalence of awake bruxism was 48%. Its presence was statistically and significantly associated with the presence of signs and symptoms of TMD (p=0.002), poor sleep quality (p=0.032), buccal mucosa indentations (p<0.001) and tongue (p=0.011). Age, gender, social characteristics, habits (such as coffee ingestion, smoking, alcoholism and physical activity) and tooth wear were variables that had no significant association with awake bruxism. Conclusions: It was concluded that awake bruxism shows a high prevalence and a positive association with signs and symptoms of TMD and worst sleep quality. In addition, awake bruxism is more likely to occur in individuals who have buccal mucosa indentation and who present high rates of oral habits and oral behaviors.

Assessment of awake bruxism and oral mucosa indentation in adolescents

“…Evaluation in adults also found an association of buccal mucosa indentation, as well as tongue indentation, with probable AB. 15 Our result differs from that of a study in adults, wherein no association of self-reported teeth clenching during wakefulness with cheek and tongue indentation was reported, and a higher presence of indentation was observed in females. 16 Such differences may be related to the age range of the populations studied and other methodological differences.…”

“…Cheek indentation was the most frequent; there was no difference between genders and this was associated with AB behaviours. Evaluation in adults also found an association of buccal mucosa indentation, as well as tongue indentation, with probable AB 15 . Our result differs from that of a study in adults, wherein no association of self‐reported teeth clenching during wakefulness with cheek and tongue indentation was reported, and a higher presence of indentation was observed in females 16 .…”

“…14 However, the association between oral activities and oral mucosa indentations is controversial: buccal mucosa and tongue indentations were associated with AB. 15 On the other hand, it was found that there is no association between cheek and tongue mucosa indentations and the self-perception of clenching or grinding of teeth during sleep or awakening, 16 between tongue indentations from biting and tooth grinding during sleep, 17 as well as formation of ridges in the cheek mucosa with teeth clenching. 18 Moreover, all these studies were conducted in adults and there is a lack of research evaluating the relationship between bruxism and oral mucosa indentations in a young population.…”

“…The presence of buccal and lingual mucosa ridges and indentations has been reported in individuals with bruxism 14 . However, the association between oral activities and oral mucosa indentations is controversial: buccal mucosa and tongue indentations were associated with AB 15 . On the other hand, it was found that there is no association between cheek and tongue mucosa indentations and the self‐perception of clenching or grinding of teeth during sleep or awakening, 16 between tongue indentations from biting and tooth grinding during sleep, 17 as well as formation of ridges in the cheek mucosa with teeth clenching 18 .…”

Assessment of awake bruxism by a novel bruxism screener and ecological momentary assessment among patients with masticatory muscle myalgia and healthy controls

“…[30][31][32] However, two recent studies showed that AB is positively associated with signs and symptoms of TMD. 33,34 A clinical study suggested that prolonged awake clenching might contribute to masticatory muscle myalgia. 35 An earlier study not only revealed that rhythmic MMA during sleep is associated with masticatory muscle myalgia and constitutes a small risk but moreover, that daytime teeth clenching may represent a significant risk factor for it.…”