Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río (Feb 2019)
Bruxism in pre-university students and its effects on the stomatognathic system
Abstract
Introduction: bruxism is a parafunctional habit characterized by the incessant action of grinding and/or clenching teeth inappropriately, which causes alterations in the stomatognathic system. Objective: to describe the behavior of bruxism in pre-university students belonging to the health area of San Juan y Martínez municipality. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on young people enrolled at Isabel Rubio Diaz pre-university, San Juan y Martínez municipality, Pinar del Río province, during September 2017 to June 2018. The target group consisted of 570 students of both sexes enrolled in the morning session of the institute, with ages between 16 and 18 years. Selecting students with the clinical characteristics as bruxism (n=198). Data were processed through analytical statistics for each variable and the information was expressed in absolute and relative frequencies. Results: the highest number of patients affected belonged to female sex, predominantly in the 18-year-old group. The most frequently signs and symptoms found were headache and dental alterations, being stress the most associated risk factor with this disorder. Conclusions: the behavior of bruxism was described, which made it possible to propose new research on factors related to the origin and prevention of this disorder in order to control its associated risks and the harm of health.
