The relationship between bruxism, occlusal factors and oral habits

Objective: Evaluating the relationship between bruxism, occlusal factors and oral habits in children and adolescent subjects, students from public schools in Brasilia-Federal District city. Methods: A group of 680 students, of both genders, average age 4 – 16 years, were randomly selected. Data was collected by clinical evaluation and questionnaires replied by the responsible for the students. The occlusion morphological aspects were evaluated according to Angle classification and following a criteria created for the deciduous dentition, according to Foster and Hamilton (1969). Uni or bilateral posterior and anterior crossbites were evaluated. The chi-square test, the Odds Ratio and the SPSS software were used for the statistic analysis. Results and Conclusion: 592 questionnaires were fulfilled completely. Bruxism had a prevalence of 43%, whilst 57% presented malocclusion. Oral habits were observed in 53%. The prevalence of a malocclusion increased from 42.6% in the deciduous dentition to 74.4% in the permanent dentition. The evaluation of the results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between bruxism and the studied occlusal factors (p > 0.05). Differences were not found between genders in both variables. Onicofagy was the most frequent habit (35%), mainly in the female subjects. There was a statistically significant relationship between bruxism and oral habits. Evaluating the specific types of habits, just pacifier sucking showed to be related to the bruxism. Additional studies will be necessary for a better understanding of the local origin of bruxism.