Abstract
Sleep bruxism (SB) is a masticatory muscle activity during sleep that is characterized as rhythmic (phasic) or non-rhythmic (tonic). The recent hypothesis on the etiology of SB supports the role of the central and autonomic nervous systems. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the intensity of SB in patients with arterial hypertension. A total of 70 adults participated in this study: 35 patients with hypertension (study group) and 35 normotensive subjects (control group). Data were recorded using home portable cardiorespiratory polygraphy. The bruxism episode index (BEI) in the study group was found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (3.4 ± 3.25 vs. 2.35 ± 2.29, p = 0.04). Hypertension, higher body mass index (BMI), lower values of mean oxygen saturation (SpO2), and a higher percentage of SpO2 < 90% constituted independent risk factors for increased BEI. These results suggest the need for special oral care in hypertensive patients, patients with higher BMI, lower values of SpO2 and a higher percentage of SpO2 < 90%.
Highlights
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) defines bruxism as repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible
According to International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICDS-3) the clinical criteria for the classification of sleep bruxism (SB) include the following: (A) the presence of regular or frequent tooth-grinding sounds occurring during sleep; (B) the presence of one or more of the following clinical signs: (1) abnormal tooth wear consistent with the above reports of tooth grinding during sleep; (2) transient morning jaw muscle pain or fatigue, temporal headache, and/or jaw locking upon awakening consistent with the above reports of tooth grinding during sleep
The mean age was similar in both groups (57.74 ± 7.92 years in the study group vs. 56.94 ± 7.71 years in the control group, respectively)
Summary
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) defines bruxism as repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible. Sleep bruxism was defined as masticatory muscle activity during sleep that is characterized as rhythmic (phasic) or non-rhythmic (tonic) and is not a movement disorder or a sleep disorder in otherwise healthy individuals [2]. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is considered a risk factor for SB [13,14]; several studies have failed to confirm this correlation [15,16]. A polysomnographic study has confirmed the link between bruxism and insomnia, but there are no studies regarding the association between SB and stress and depression [17]
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