To examine possible associations between self-reported bruxism, stress, desirability of control, dental anxiety and gagging. Five questionnaires were distributed among a general adult population (402 respondents): the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Desirability of Control Scale (DC), Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Gagging Assessment Scale (GAS), and Bruxism Assessment Questionnaire. A high positive correlation between DAS and GAS (R = 0·604, P < 0·001) was found. PSS was negatively correlated with DC (R = -0·292, P < 0·001), and was positively correlated with GAS (R = 0·217, P < 0·001) and DAS (R = 0·214, P < 0·001). Respondents who reported bruxing while awake or asleep showed higher levels of GAS, DAS and PSS than those who did not. There were no differences between the bruxers and the non-bruxers (sleep and aware) with regard to the DC scores. The best predictors of awake bruxism were sleep bruxism (OR = 4·98, CI 95% 2·54-9·74) and GAS (OR = 1·10, CI 95% 1·04-1·17). The best predictors of sleep bruxism were awake bruxism (OR = 5·0, CI 95% 2·56-9·78) and GAS (OR = 1·19; CI 95% 1·11-1·27). Self-reported sleep bruxism significantly increases the odds for awake bruxism and vice versa. Tendency for gagging during dental care slightly increases the odds of both types of self-reported bruxism, but desirability of control is not associated with these phenomena.

Previous studies have established that hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are the primary components of halitosis (bad breath). In the present investigation, we report a simple, rapid technique for measurement of halitosis-related sulphides. The technique is based on a portable instrument generally used for environmental safety applications. Seventy-five volunteers were measured using this technique, and the results (in peak ppb hydrogen sulphide equivalents) compared with organoleptic assessment by 7 judges. A highly significant overall correlation (r = 0.603; P less than 0.001) was obtained between these 2 methods. Moreover, in most cases, the organoleptic ratings of the individual judges correlated more highly with sulphide monitor values than with one another. The simplicity of the technique suggests its use in clinical studies as well as in diagnosis and treatment of patients with this complaint.

Pain is a complex experience affected by such factors as stress, anxiety and cognitions. The purpose of this study was to examine the inter-relationship between anxiety and acute pain perception under an oral surgery procedure of implant insertion. The study population consisted of 60 dental patients (58% female, mean age 42 year), who were scheduled for implant insertion in a private clinic specializing in oral surgery. Patients were evaluated on three consecutive occasions: immediately preoperatively (T1), immediately post-operatively (T2), and at 4 weeks post-operative follow-up (T3). Patients were requested to complete questionnaires concerning their anxiety on each occasion and to indicate their subjective evaluations concerning pain (on visual analogue scales). Patient anxiety and pain evaluation were highest immediately before the surgical procedure (T1) with a significant decrease immediately afterwards (T2). The best predictor of the patient's pain evaluation at each time point was their state of anxiety at that time (T1: mean square = 7844.36, F = 16.26, P < 0.001; T2: mean square = 7652.74, F = 15.86, P < 0.001; T3: mean square = 5433.04, F = 8.99, P < 0.005). Pain experienced by patients in oral surgery is best predicted by their anxiety at each time point. Proper understanding of the variables that affect pain is important as they may produce emotional responses that could influence compliance.

Pain is a complex experience that is affected by factors such as gender, stress, anxiety and cognitions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inter-relationship between gender and acute pain prediction and memory under periodontal surgery treatment. The study was conducted on 15 male and 22 female dental patients (mean age 34 yr, mean education level 14.7 yr), who were scheduled for periodontal surgery. Patients were evaluated during four consecutive appointments: at initial check-up, immediately pre-operatively, 1 wk post-operatively, and at 4 wk post-operative follow-up. Patients were requested to complete questionnaires concerning their anxiety at each appointment and to indicate their subjective evaluations concerning pain (on a visual analogue scale). Evaluations concerning expectation to experience pain during the planned surgery (pain prediction) were made at the first two appointments and evaluations of the experienced pain as remembered from the surgery (pain memory) were made at the last two appointments. Gender had a significant effect on pain prediction and pain memory. Men expected to experience more pain pre-operatively than women but remembered less pain post-operatively. It was concluded that cognitive pain perception in clinical situations differs between genders.

Background: In late December 2019, a new pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection began to spread around the world. The new situation gave rise to severe health threats, economic uncertainty, and social isolation, causing potential deleterious effects on people’s physical and mental health. These effects are capable of influencing oral and maxillofacial conditions, such as temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism, which could further aggravate the orofacial pain. Two concomitant studies aimed to evaluate the effect of the current pandemic on the possible prevalence and worsening of TMD and bruxism symptoms among subjects selected from two culturally different countries: Israel and Poland. Materials and Methods: Studies were conducted as cross-sectional online surveys using similar anonymous questionnaires during the lockdown practiced in both countries. The authors obtained 700 complete responses from Israel and 1092 from Poland. In the first step, data concerning TMDs and bruxism were compared between the two countries. In the second step, univariate analyses (Chi2) were performed to investigate the effects of anxiety, depression, and personal concerns of the Coronavirus pandemic, on the symptoms of TMD, and bruxism symptoms and their possible aggravation. Finally, multivariate analyses (logistic regression models) were carried out to identify the study variables that had a predictive value on TMD, bruxism, and symptom aggravation in the two countries. Results: The results showed that the Coronavirus pandemic has caused significant adverse effects on the psychoemotional status of both Israeli and Polish populations, resulting in the intensification of their bruxism and TMD symptoms. Conclusions: The aggravation of the psychoemotional status caused by the Coronavirus pandemic can result in bruxism and TMD symptoms intensification and thus lead to increased orofacial pain.