Awake bruxism frequency and psychosocial factors in college preparatory students

Objective To assess the frequency of reported masticatory muscles activity during wakefulness (i.e., awake bruxism [AB]), levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in college preparatory students. Methods Sixty-nine college preparatory students participated in the study. AB was evaluated by the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC) and a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA; [Bruxapp (R)]). Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, stress was evaluated by the Perceived Stress Scale, and OHRQoL was obtained by The Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient (alpha = 0.05). Results The average EMA-reported frequency of AB behaviors was 38.4%. Significant correlations were found between AB and the OBC, anxiety, depression, stress, and OHRQoL (p < 0.001). Conclusion College preparatory students demonstrated moderate frequency of AB, which was significantly correlated with psychosocial factors.

Automated summary

This study assessed the frequency of awake bruxism, levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and oral health-related quality of life in college preparatory students. The results showed that these students demonstrated a moderate frequency of awake bruxism, which was significantly correlated with psychosocial factors.