Associations of Self‐Reported Bruxism With Clinical Parameters, Perceived Stress, and Temporomandibular Disorders in Dental Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Bruxism has been assessed using heterogeneous methods across studies. The Bruxism Screener provides a standardized approach, but clinical studies using this tool remain limited. Moreover, factors influencing self‐reported bruxism in individuals with clinical bruxism signs remain unclear. Objectives This cross‐sectional study aimed to describe the frequency of clinical signs identified by the BruxScreen and to examine whether self‐reported bruxism was associated with these signs, perceived stress, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms, and orofacial pain intensity in dental students with clinical signs of bruxism. Methods A total of 163 dental students presenting with clinical signs of bruxism completed a demographic questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Fonseca Anamnestic Index, and a visual analogue scale for orofacial pain intensity, and underwent clinical evaluation using the Bruxism Screener. Participants were categorized into self‐report‐positive and self‐report‐negative groups according to subject‐based assessment. Statistical analyses were performed using chi‐squared, Mann–Whitney U , Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression. Results The frequencies of clinical signs were as follows: tooth wear (98%), masseter muscle hypertrophy (71%), linea alba (63%), and tongue indentations (50%). No significant differences were found between groups in either the number of clinical signs or the frequency of any individual clinical sign. Orofacial pain intensity (OR = 2.8) and TMD symptoms (OR = 5.8) were significant independent predictors of self‐reported bruxism. Conclusion Tooth wear was the most frequently observed clinical sign. Self‐reported bruxism was associated with orofacial pain intensity and TMD symptoms, but not with clinical bruxism signs, suggesting that subject‐based data and clinical assessment may reflect different aspects of bruxism.