Association between possible sleep bruxism and sleep characteristics in children

Aims: To evaluate the relationship between possible sleep bruxism and sleep characteristics in children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted through data collection of a pre-tested questionnaire answered by 111 parents on behalf of their children in the waiting room during their appointment at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of a public Brazilian university. The diagnosis of possible sleep bruxism was based on the international classification of sleep disorders (ICSD) criteria. The Chi-square test and logistic multinomial regression test were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The final model of logistic multinomial regression demonstrated that children with muscle pain in the mouth region (OR=19.70 95% IC=1.82-212.69), snoring (OR=8.25 95% IC=2, 56-26, 54), and those with parents with possible sleep bruxism have more of a probability of sleep bruxism.Conclusion: Potential sleep bruxism tends to be hereditary. Muscle pain, snoring, and mouth breathing were important signals associated with possible sleep bruxism among children.