BRUXISM DURING CHILDHOOD: BEHAVIOR PROFILE, FEATURES OF SLEEP AND SYMPTOMATOLOGY

Abstract

Bruxism is the repetitive motion of chewing muscles characterized by tightening and teeth grinding. That condition is multifactorial, involuntary and parafunctional. Studies on involvement of bruxism in children are scarce and considered a subject little explored in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the child’s behavior profile, as well as the sleep characteristics and symptoms associated with the occurrence of bruxism in children aged 5 to 11 years in the city of Juazeiro do Norte - Ceará. A pilot study, cross-sectional type, was performed with 32 parents and/or guardians that answered a structured questionnaire about the topic. Of the total sample, 56.5% were male. 53.2% reported having gnashing of teeth, 75% complained of headaches and 53.1% said that children were agitated or anxious. The prevalence of bruxism in this study was 53.2% (n = 17). In addition, 34.4% (n = 11) cases were observed during the night. Statistically significant associations were observed between the diurnal bruxism and the occurrence of nightmares (p=0.011) and the habit of talking while sleeping (p = 0.009); additionally, it was observed association between nocturnal bruxism and behavior profile (anxious and/or agitated) of child (p=0.022). The other variables of this study showed not statistical association with the diurnal or nocturnal bruxism (p>0.05). It is concluded through this study that changes in sleep patterns and behavior of the child’s profile, were factors associated with the occurrence of bruxism in children.