Is There an Association Between Bruxism and Intestinal Parasitic Infestation in Children?

Authors: Díaz-Serrano, Kranya Victoria¹; da Silva, Carolina Brunelli Alvares²; de Albuquerque, Sérgio³; Pereira Saraiva, Maria da Conceição¹; Nelson-Filho, Paulo¹

Source: Journal of Dentistry for Children, Volume 75, Number 3, September-December 2008 , pp. 276-279(4)

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

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Acquired after the merger between the American Society of Dentistry for Children and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 2002, the Journal of Dentistry for Children (JDC) is an internationally renowned journal whose publishing dates back to 1934. Published three times a year, JDC promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. It covers a wide range of topics related to the clinical care of children, from clinical techniques of daily importance to the practitioner, to studies on child behavior and growth and development. JDC also provides information on the physical, psychological and emotional conditions of children as they relate to and affect their dental health.
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By this author: Díaz-Serrano, Kranya Victoria ; da Silva, Carolina Brunelli Alvares ; de Albuquerque, Sérgio ; Pereira Saraiva, Maria da Conceição ; Nelson-Filho, Paulo

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Abstract:

Purpose: Multiple factors have been considered in the etiology of bruxism in pediatric patients, among which are infestations by intestinal parasites suggested by some authors. No empirical evidence exists, however, of such association. Therefore, this study's purpose was to investigate the existence of an association between bruxism and intestinal parasitic infestation in children.

Methods: Fifty-seven 6- to 11-year-olds (30 cases and 27 controls) who had not used anthelminthics 2 months before the baseline examination were enrolled in the study. A diagnosis of bruxism was based on an intraoral clinical examination performed by a single trained examiner and on the parent/guardian's report of any perceived parafunctional habits (questionnaire-based interview). Bruxism cases were defined as those children with a report of currently perceived habits of eccentric or centric bruxism (tooth-grinding and tooth-clenching, respectively) combined with clinical evidence of nonphysiologic wear facets. The volunteers were required to collect 3 fecal samples (1 every 2 to 3 days). Parasitologic analysis was performed using the spontaneous sedimentation method. Data gathered from the intraoral clinical examination, questionnaire, and parasitologic analysis were tabulated and submitted to statistical analysis using the chi-square test and student's t test.

Results: Intestinal parasitic infestation was observed in 30% (N=9) of cases and 41% (N=11) of controls, but no statistically significant association was observed (P=.40).

Conclusion: This study's findings do not support the existence of an association between intestinal parasitic infestation and bruxism among the evaluated pediatric population.

Keywords: BRUXISM; CHILDREN; INTESTINAL PARASITES

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Pediatric Clinics, Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil 2: School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatric Clinics, Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil 3: Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil