Associations between Bruxism, Stress, and Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorder in Young Students

Diana Vlăduțu, Sanda Mihaela Popescu, Răzvan Mercuț, Mihaela Ionescu, Monica Scrieciu, Adina Dorina Glodeanu, Andreea Stănuși, Ana Maria Rîcă and Veronica Mercuț
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Diana Vlăduțu: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Sanda Mihaela Popescu: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Răzvan Mercuț: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Mihaela Ionescu: Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Monica Scrieciu: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Adina Dorina Glodeanu: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Andreea Stănuși: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Ana Maria Rîcă: Department of Odontology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Veronica Mercuț: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Bruxism is a repetitive activity of the masticatory muscles, which determine teeth grinding or clenching, associated with rigidity, bracing, or thrusting of the mandibula. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible bruxism in 328 students attending the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, and its associations with stress and other manifestations of the temporo-mandibular disorder. This was a questionnaire-based study to collect information on self-evaluation of bruxism presence, frequency of specific episodes, stress, anxiety, and other manifestations of temporo-mandibular disorder. Self-evaluated bruxism was identified in 39.33% from the entire study group, allowing us to define two subgroups for further analysis. Sleep bruxism was present in 16.28% of participants; awake bruxism was present in 68.99%, while 14.73% of participants presented a combined form. The main manifestation of bruxism was reported as teeth grinding. Fatigue was identified as a common clinical sign of bruxism and temporo-mandibular disorder. Group distribution analysis (Chi-Square) indicated significant associations between bruxism and stress, panic, restlessness, or increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic ( p < 0.05). Bruxism, and especially awake bruxism, has increased in prevalence among young students, and it has been associated with increased levels of stress.

Keywords: bruxism; stress; anxiety; muscular contractions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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