Survey of the Potential Association of Childhood Sleep Disorders with Sleep Bruxism

Abstract

Objective: Conduct a pilot study of the association between parent-reported sleep bruxism (SB) and sleep disorders in children. Material and methods: The presence of nocturnal tooth grinding or noise during sleep, clinical variables relating to potential temporomandibular disorders, and various behaviors observed during sleep were evaluated along the previously validated Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) developed by O Bruni et al. Data for the study were collected using a Likert-type rating scale questionnaire given to 43 parents accompanying their children to a pediatric dentistry clinic in the Community of Madrid. Results: Parent-reported SB in children showed a higher positive correlation with sleep disorders (60%) when compared to levels in children whose parents did not report any presence of SB (40%); a statistically significant result (p=0.000). Among the various sleep disorders evaluated, the two showing an association with reported sleep bruxism were sleep- wake transition disorders (p=0.00) and respiratory sleep disorders (p=0.01) Conclusions: Some sleep disorders in children may be associated with the presence of sleep bruxism.