Pain on the tongue in elderly female patients with BMS may be more related to psychological factors.

Background:No studies have addressed the effect of SR on somatosensory function in the oro-facial area.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sleep restriction (SR) on the somatosensory perception of the tip of the tongue. Materials and Methods:Using a crossover study design, 13 healthy participants took part in a random order, to a two arms experiments: the SR and control/no SR-arms.For all participants, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess sleepiness and mechanical sensitivity, and pain detection threshold was estimated at the tongue tip and right thumb (as a body area control site). In the SR-arm of the study, on day one, we estimated sensory baseline perception and repeated tests on day two, after a night of voluntary SR, and on day 3, after a recovery night. In the second arm, same sensory tests were done but no SR was requested.Results: Significantly more sleepiness was observed after SR in comparison with baseline and recovery testing days (P < 0.05). After SR, mechanical pain threshold on the tip of the tongue was significantly lower on day after SR (day 2) and a rebound, higher values, were observed on the third day (P < 0.05); no difference on thumb site.In the control arm, no SR and no significant differences between days were observed for all the variables of interest. Conclusions:The present results suggest that SR may affect somatosensory perception in the oro-facial area. K E Y W O R D Sburning mouth syndrome, mechanical pain threshold, perception, sleep restriction, somatosensory sensitivity, tongue

The aim of this study was to investigate the occlusal contact area (OCA) in individual teeth during low-level tooth clenching in 24 healthy participants. Before measurements were made, the 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was determined. At baseline, all subjects were instructed to close their mouth and touch the opposing teeth with minimal force. Occlusal contact was recorded during three jaw motor tasks (baseline, 20% MVC, and 40% MVC) using a blue silicone material. OCA thickness was determined from images and defined on five levels: level 1 (0-149 µm), level 2 (0-89 µm), level 3 (0-49 µm), level 4 (0-29 µm), and level 5 (0-4 µm). Premolar and molar OCAs increased significantly from baseline to 20% MVC and 40% MVC. The OCA of each anterior tooth did not change significantly with increasing clenching intensity at all levels. Our findings suggest that premolar and molar OCAs may be altered by low-intensity clenching, affecting the teeth and periodontal tissues.

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