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Sleep Bruxism
Last edited |
06/09/2006
Sleep Bruxism is an oral habit characterized by a rhythmic activity of the
temporo-mandibular muscles that causes a forced contact between dental surfaces
during sleep
It is accompanied by tooth clenching or grinding that can be loud
enough to be heard by the bed partner.
Sleep bruxism has been linked to
cranio-mandibular disorders including headaches, temporo-mandibular joint
discomfort and muscle aches, premature loss of teeth due to excessive attrition
and mobility, and sleep disruption of the bruxer as well as the bed partner.
Sleep bruxism can have
a significant effect on the patient's quality of life.
It may also be
associated with a number of disorders.
However, little was known
about the epidemiology of sleep bruxism and its risk factors in the general
population.
RESEARCH
A cross-sectional telephone survey using the Sleep-EVAL knowledge based
system was performed.
A representative sample of three general populations
(United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy) consisting of 158 million inhabitants was
constituted.
Thirteen thousand fifty-seven subjects aged > or = 15 years (United Kingdom,
4,972 subjects; Germany, 4,115 subjects; and Italy, 3,970 subjects) participated.
They were interviewed with a Clinical
questionnaire on bruxism (using the International Classification of Sleep
Disorders [ICSD] minimal set of criteria).
Associated
pathologies (ie, sleep, breathing disorders, and psychiatric and neurologic
pathologies) were also investigated.
Results
Grinding of teeth during sleep occurring at least weekly was reported by 8.2%
of the subjects, and significant consequences from teeth grinding during sleep (ie,
muscular discomfort on awakening, disturbing tooth grinding, or necessity of
dental work) were found in half of these subjects.
Moreover, 4.4% of the
population fulfilled the criteria of ICSD sleep bruxism diagnosis.
How frequent is Sleep Bruxism?
from Ohayon MM et al. Risk factors for sleep bruxism in the
general population. Chest 2001;119(1):53-61.
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At higher risk of reporting sleep bruxism were
subjects with:
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obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (odds ratio [OR],
1.8),
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loud snoring (OR, 1.4),
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moderate daytime sleepiness (OR, 1.3),
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heavy alcohol consumption (OR, 1.8),
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caffeine consumption (OR, 1.4),
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tobacco consumption (OR, 1.3),
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highly stressful life (OR, 1.3),
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with anxiety (OR, 1.3).
In summary, sleep bruxism
is common in the general population and represents the third most frequent
parasomnia. It has numerous consequences, which are not limited to dental or
muscular problems.
Among the associated risk factors, patients with
anxiety and
sleep-disordered breathing have a higher number of risk factors for sleep bruxism,
and this must raise concerns about the future of these individuals.
An educational effort to raise the awareness of dentists and physicians about
this pathology is necessary.
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Sleep-EVAL
Research
