Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the association between self-reported bruxism and academic performance in students at a university in Lima, Peru. Material and Methods: A total of 203 students were evaluated in this study, between the ages of 19 and 35 years. Self-reported bruxism was measured using the Bruxism Assessment Questionnaire. Academic performance was evaluated using the Approval Index Scale. In addition, other variables were included such as employment status, socioeconomic level, stress, anxiety, among others. The association of variables were factored in using the chi-square test and the logistic regression presented the unadjusted and adjusted analisis. Results: The frequency of self-reported awake bruxism and sleep bruxism was 53.20% and 36.45%, respectively. Evidence revealed there was a statistically significant association between awake bruxism with stress and anxiety, and sleep bruxism with anxiety. Students with high academic performance (OR=2.36; IC del 95%:1.06-5.23) and low academic performance (OR=5.72; IC del 95%:1.28-25.57) were found to be more likely to have awake bruxism than those with medium academic performance. Conclusion: This study revealed a statistically significant association between self-reported awake bruxism and academic performance. However, in the future it is suggested to carry out a study with focus only on students with bruxism and with a larger sample of participants with low academic performance to confirm the association found between these variables.
Highlights
Bruxism is defined as a “repetitive masticatory muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible”.1 bruxism is not considered a disorder, it should be seen as a risk factor if the levels of muscular activity increase the negative consequences for oral health, such as attrition, dental fractures, dentin hypersensitivity, headaches, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint pain, among others
Various studies carried out in Europe on university students show that the prevalence rate of awake and sleep bruxism in Italy was 37.9% and 31.8% respectively in 2016.3 In 2019, a prevalence of 57.9% and 44.7% was reported in a Lithuanian population.[4]
Another study showed that participants with awake bruxism had significantly higher levels of trait and state anxiety.[44]. These results indicate that awake bruxism would play a role in reducing stress and anxiety, since certain people who perceive situations as threatening or stressful display this behavior more frequently.[45]
Summary
Bruxism is defined as a “repetitive masticatory muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible”.1 bruxism is not considered a disorder, it should be seen as a risk factor if the levels of muscular activity increase the negative consequences for oral health, such as attrition, dental fractures, dentin hypersensitivity, headaches, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint pain, among others. Bruxism is not considered a disorder, it should be seen as a risk factor if the levels of muscular activity increase the negative consequences for oral health, such as attrition, dental fractures, dentin hypersensitivity, headaches, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint pain, among others. This behavior can be classified according to its circadian manifestation into awake or sleep bruxism.[2]. In Latin America, the rate of awake and sleep bruxism in Brazilian students corresponded to 31.5% and 21.5% in 2014.5 In 2016, in a population of the same locality, the prevalence was 63% and 60.8%, respectively.[6]. These data suggest that bruxism has increased progressively over the years, so it should not be considered an infrequent behavior and needs to be evaluated in greater depth
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
