Use of electronic devices, practice of sports, and awake bruxism in schoolchildren aged eight to ten years

ABSTRACT

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate whether possible awake bruxism (AB) is associated with the use of electronic devices and the practice of sports in schoolchildren aged eight to ten years. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 students in public and private schools in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/guardians answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data. The children answered questions about use of electronic devices, practice of sports, and AB. Statistical analysis involved robust logistic regression for complex samples (α = 5%). The prevalence of possible AB was 14.9%. Being female (OR = 1.71, 95%CI 1.11-2.63), being the middle child (OR = 2.19, 95%CI 1.14-3.88), having unmarried parents (OR = 1.73, 95%CI 1.13-2.65), daily use of a cell phone/tablet/computer (OR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.19-2.80), use of electronic devices for two or more hours per day (OR = 1.97, 95%CI 1.35-2.86), and playing sports in and/or out of school (OR = 1.60, 95%CI 1.18-2.52) remained associated with possible AB in the final model. The presence of possible AB was influenced by the use of electronic devices and the practice of sports among schoolchildren aged eight to ten years.