Sleep bruxism and sleep disorders in adolescents

¹ Odontology Department, Diderot University – Paris 7, France
² PU-PH, Odontology Department (Periodontology), Rothschild Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France

Address for correspondence: Maria Clotilde Carra – 5, rue de Garancière 75006 P aris. E-mail: mclotildecarra@gmail.com

Received: 26 June 2017
Accepted: 28 July 2017

Abstract

Sleep Bruxism, the sleep-related movement disorder of tooth grinding and clenching, is highly reported in pediatrics with a prevalence of up to 40 % during childhood and adolescence. The precise etiology of sleep bruxism remains unknown, but it may involve genetic and psychosocial components (such as anxiety and stress).

Clinicians should be aware that quite often sleep bruxism is associated with other disorders, such as snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, sleep complaints, and behavioral problems. These comorbidities should be investigated, because they may be severe and prolonged if they are not treated.

SB may lead to morning jaw muscle soreness or pain, headache, masticatory muscle hypertrophy, temporomandibular disorders, and tooth wear. Especially in pediatrics, sleep bruxism is usually managed with conservative therapies, such as sleep hygiene, behavioral modifications, biofeedback, familial counseling and, only in cases of severe tooth wear or other serious possible consequences of SB, soft occlusal splints.