Family and School Environmental Predictors of Sleep Bruxism in Children.

Keywords: children, family, school, sleep bruxism, headache, migraine, chronic migraine, episodic migraine, severe migraine, neurology, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), primary headache, and orofacial pain.

A recent study aimed to identify potential predictors of self-reported sleep bruxism (SB) within children’s family and school environments. Researchers investigated the relation between the potential predictors and SB. After a 10-item questionnaire was given to 65 children, the only two weak predictors of self-reported SB were having divorced parents and not falling asleep easily. Although weak, these predictors are important in identifying sleep bruxism in children. Dr. Stan Farrell, whose office is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, focuses on the treatment of all types of headaches caused by sleep bruxism. Dr. Farrell is Board Certified and a member of the American Headache Society and a Diplomate with the American Board of Orofacial Pain, making him one of the best choices for your migraine headache treatment. If you, your child, or someone you know suffers from migraines or headaches, schedule an appointment with Dr. Farrell at AZ TMJ today. www.headpaininstitute.com

Debora Rossi, Dr PFSc/Daniele Manfredini, DDS, PhD

Aims: To identify potential predictors of self-reported sleep bruxism (SB) within children’s family and school environments. Methods: A total of 65 primary school children (55.4% males, mean age 9.3 ± 1.9 years) were administered a 10-item questionnaire investigating the prevalence of self-reported SB as well as nine family and school-related potential bruxism predictors. Regression analyses were performed to assess the correlation between the potential predictors and SB. Results: A positive answer to the self-reported SB item was endorsed by 18.8% of subjects, with no sex differences. Multiple variable regression analysis identified a final model showing that having divorced parents and not falling asleep easily were the only two weak predictors of self-reported SB. The percentage of explained variance for SB by the final multiple regression model was 13.3% (Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.133). While having a high specificity and a good negative predictive value, the model showed unacceptable sensitivity and positive predictive values. The resulting accuracy to predict the presence of self-reported SB was 73.8%. Conclusion: The present investigation suggested that, among family and school-related matters, having divorced parents and not falling asleep easily were two predictors, even if weak, of a child’s self-report of SB.