ASSESSMENT OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS REGARDING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF NOCTURNAL BRUXISM IN THEIR CHILDREN: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

Dr. Pranav Gupta, Dr. Sania and Dr. Amit Kumar Khajuria*

ABSTRACT

Aim: Bruxism is a repetitive jaw–muscle activity characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth and/ or the bracing or thrusting of the mandible. The purpose of the present study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of parents about bruxism habit of their children. Material and Methods: 300 parents/guardians were enrolled in the study from department of dentistry. A preformed questionnaire based on the criteria of the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM) was used to collect the data from participants. Results: A statistically significant association was found between bruxism and children with restless sleep (P < 0.001) and in cases where the father (<0.001) and mother (0.047) were affected by bruxism. Conclusion: Parents were found to be aware of bruxism but there are a number of distorted concepts that must be clarified. These Distorted concepts may lead them to seek help from people who are not qualified to provide treatment.

Keywords: Bruxism, Children, Parafunctional Habits.