Reported bruxism and stress experience

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze whether perceived bruxism was associated with stress experience, age, gender, work role, and occupational health care use among a nonpatient multiprofessional population. Altogether, 1784 (age 30-55 years) employees of the Finnish Broadcasting Company were mailed a self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, perceived bruxism, total stress experience and the use of health care services provided by the company. The response rate was 75% (n = 1339, 51% men) and mean age was 46 years (SD = 6) in both genders. There were no significant differences in demographic status by age and gender. Bruxism and stress experiences did not significantly vary with regard to category of work, but both were significantly more frequent among women (P < 0.05). In all work categories frequent bruxers reported more stress, and the perceptions were significantly differently polarized between the groups (P < 0.001). According to logistic regression, frequent bruxism was significantly positively associated with severe stress experience (Odds ratio = 5.00; 95% CI = 2.84-8.82) and female gender (Odds ratio = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.43-3.55). Frequent bruxism was also significantly positively associated with the numbers of occupational health care and dental visits (P < 0.01), and slightly negatively associated with increasing age and work in administration (P < 0.05). It was concluded that bruxism may reveal ongoing stress in normal work life.

Enhanced sympathetic cardiac modulation in bruxism patients

“…Finally, stress has been considered an important initiating, predisposing and perpetuating factor of bruxism [16]. A study on 1784 employees in various work positions showed that the experience of severe stress was significantly associated with the frequency of bruxing events [16]. Electromyographic studies showed a pronounced increase of masseter activity following stressful stimuli such as noise exposure in bruxism patients suggesting an increased responsiveness to stressors [17].…”

“…These stimuli might enhance catecholamine synthesis [14] and thus increase sympathetic tone. Finally, stress has been considered an important initiating, predisposing and perpetuating factor of bruxism [16]. A study on 1784 employees in various work positions showed that the experience of severe stress was significantly associated with the frequency of bruxing events [16].…”

In response: bruxism and autonomic activity

“…We agree with Bracha et al that many authors consider sympathetic activation a precursor of bruxism. We quoted several of these articles in our manuscript [1,2,4,5]. However, we also suggested that the increased sympathetic activity might be the effect of tooth grinding and secondary to bruxism related chronic orofacial pain and tension headache.…”

“…Although most authors agree that sympathetic activity is increased in bruxism patients [2,5,6], there might be some discrepancy whether increased sympathetic activity is cause [1,2,4,5] or result of tooth grinding.…”

Biofeedback und zahnmedizinische Behandlungsansätze bei temporomandibulären Störungen und Bruxismus

“…In Selbstberichtsmaßen konnte ein Zusammenhang gefunden werden: Bruxierer berichten über ein größeres Stresserleben [z.B. Hicks und Conti, 1991;Ahlberg et al, 2002]. Auch konnte ein Zusammenhang zwischen erhöhten Stresshormonen und nächtlicher bruxistischer Aktivität gefunden werden [Clark et al, 1980].…”