Relationship between Sleep Bruxism, Perceived Stress, and Coping Strategies.

Klara Saczuk,Lukasz Pawlak,Barbara Lapinska,Paulina Wilmont,Monika Lukomska-Szymanska

doi:10.3390/ijerph16173193

Klara Saczuk, Lukasz Pawlak + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173193

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Abstract

Sleep bruxism (SB) is a common phenomenon defined as a masticatory muscle activity during sleep. Untreated severe SB can have significant dental and orofacial consequences. SB has often been linked with stress and maladaptive coping strategies. Therefore, in this study, a potential correlation between SB, perceived stress and coping strategies was evaluated. A total of 60 adults were enrolled into this study. Participants underwent a detailed intra- and extraoral exam focused on detecting bruxism symptoms. Additionally, the overnight Bruxism Index was recorded using the Bruxoff device. A total of 35 participants with symptoms of bruxism were assigned to the study group, whereas 25 asymptomatic participants were assigned to the control group. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was used for stress assessment and Brief-COPE for coping strategies. Results showed that the higher the PSS-10 score, the higher the Bruxism Index was in the study group. Positive coping strategies were chosen most frequently in the control group, while maladaptive ones were chosen in the study group. It can be concluded that there is a relationship between perceived stress and sleep bruxism. Moreover, the type of coping strategies used by participants may have an impact on sleep bruxism, but the relationship should be further investigated.

Highlights

Sleep bruxism (SB) is becoming a common phenomenon, affecting 8–31% of the adult population, irrespective of gender
Results showed that the higher the PSS-10 score, the higher the Bruxism Index was in the study group
It can be concluded that there is a relationship between perceived stress and sleep bruxism

Summary

Introduction

Sleep bruxism (SB) is becoming a common phenomenon, affecting 8–31% of the adult population, irrespective of gender. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, bruxism is described as a “repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible” [2]. A new definition from the 2018 International Consensus [3] defines sleep bruxism as “a 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”. Despite the existence of positive aspects of SB such as allowing unobstructed airway passage while sleeping and aiding salivation [4], severe bruxism has mainly destructive consequences e.g., muscle hypertrophy and/or pain, temporomandibular disorders, loss of periodontal support, dental implants and tooth structure [5,6,7]

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