Association between bruxism and emotional stress in military policemen

Authors

  • Swellya da Costa Aroucha Carvalho
  • Andrea Lúcia Almeida Carvalho
  • Sílvia Carneiro de Lucena
  • Jeanne Paiva de Siqueira Coelho
  • Thayse Pacelly Brandão de Araújo

Keywords:

Bruxism, stress, policemen

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bruxism and emotional stress in military policemen and test their association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in members of the Military Police of the State of Maranhão in São Luís, MA. Sample was composed by 81 male subjects (mean age = 33.5 years). Bruxism was diagnosed according to clinical criteria – presence of aligned wear facets associated with at least one of the following signs and symptoms: selfreport of bruxism grinding sounds, pain to palpation of the masseter and temporal muscles, report of morning masticatory muscle discomfort and/or masseter muscle hypertrophy. To diagnose stress the Stress Symptoms Inventory was applied. Results: The prevalence of bruxism was 33.3% and frequency of emotional stress was 13.6%. The stress prevalence in individuals with bruxism was significantly higher than that in subjects without bruxism (Chi-square test, P=0.003). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that stress was associated with bruxism in this sample of policemen. Key words: Bruxism; stress; policemen

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Published

2008-06-22

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Section

Original Article