ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Bruxism is a multifactorial phenomenon that involves grinding or clenching of teeth. The parafunctional habit includes abnormal tooth wear, tooth fracture, pain, and tooth mobility, along with headaches and facial muscle hypertrophy. It is imperative for students to be conscious of teeth grinding along with its possible causes. The student will be alert to visit the dentist if required and contribute to the recognition of etiological factors, to eliminate them. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to find the prevalence and understanding of bruxism among Gulf Medical University (GMU) students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 451 GMU students. The parameters for data collection were age, gender, prevalence, associated signs and symptoms, causes, genetic predisposition, time of day, and effect on the appearance of teeth. RESULTS: While 35.9% were unaware, 41.7% of our samples reported bruxism. The majority recognized temporomandibular joint and facial pain as causative, and 24.8% reported symptoms. Headache (26.4%) was prime and 7.5% were associated with fracture and abnormal tooth wear to bruxism (38.1%) experienced night bruxism. A significant number of students (32.4%) identified abnormal anterior teeth relationship as the cause and (64.3%) associated bruxism and esthetics. CONCLUSION: Nearly 41.7% of the students reported bruxism. Around 35.9% of the samples were uninformed. Nearly 20.8% believed that bruxism had genetic relevance. Nearly 51.9% of the participants were asymptomatic. Around 38.1% had night bruxism and 32.4% identified abnormal anterior teeth relationship as the cause. The majority of the sample (64.3%) connected bruxism to negative effects on teeth and esthetics.
