Usage Of Gadgets and Development Of Bruxism In Children-A Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Background: Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. These include electronic games, home computers, hand held devices and other gadgets. Children of the present days spend much time with gadgets. This might have a negative and positive impact on them. Bruxism is a conscious or unconscious, non-functional grinding or clenching of teeth. Aim: The survey aims at assessing the usage of gadgets among bruxism associated children. Materials and Methods:A survey questionnaire on the usage of gadgets and bruxism was prepared. This survey was conducted by circulating among the parents. The questions were focused on the bruxism and usage of gadgets by the children. Bruxism questions were framed according to the guidelines given by the American Association of Sleep Medicine. The results were analyzed. Results: There was higher participation of age groups of 6 to 10 years than the other age groups. Most of the children use gadgets more frequently. Most of the children spend their time playing games online. 60.29% of the parents were aware of the ill effects of using gadgets. 39.71% of the parents restricted the usage of gadgets. 67.65% of the children have the habit of either clenching or grinding the teeth. 32.81% of the children clench their teeth during the day. The present study reported that most of the children don't experience headaches (44.12%) during waking up. 50% don't experience jaw pain. 51.47% don't experience tooth or gum pain when waking up. It has also been reported that during stress or after continuous usage of gadgets, 47.06% don't clench their teeth. 35.29% of parents are aware that the usage of gadgets can cause tooth grinding. 41.18% of the parents feel that their children's sleep gets disturbed due to the continuous usage of gadgets. 57.35% of the parents are aware of the treatment strategies. Conclusion: Usage of gadgets does not bring about a direct impact on the child. It does impact the stress, outcome of the score of the games played and so on. Therefore, future studies should be conducted to bring about the correlation between using gadgets and bruxism in children.