Bruxing and Non-Bruxing Children: A Comparison of Their Personality Traits

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident's Name: Kris Hendricks Date: 4/17/09

Article title: Bruxing and Non-Bruxing Children: A Comparison of Their Personality Traits
Author(s): Kuch EV, Till MJ, Messer LB
Journal: Pediatric Dentsitry
Volume (number): 1 (3)
Month, Year: 1979
Major topic: Bruxism
Type of Study: Survey and Clinical Examination

Methods:
358 kindergarten children from suburban Minnesota were used for this study. All children were Caucasian, between the ages of 5 and 6. Inclusion criteria was low DEFS score, no anterior or posterior cross-bite, absence of mobile primary teeth and premature occlusal contacts or high restorations.
Parents were sent a questionnaire concerning the presence of bruxing in the child and family. Children were also given a clinical exam using a reclined chair at the school. Personalities of the children were assessed using the Missouri Children’s Picture Series. The data from the personality tests was then correlated with the presence or absence of bruxing.

Findings:
15% of children had a report of bruxing from their parents, which was confirmed by clinical findings. Another 15.4% of children had some type of clinical manifestation of bruxing, but the parents were unaware. No psychological correlation was made and it was concluded that childhood bruxism is of little psychological significance.

Discussion:
There was no difference noted between boys and girls. In “normal” occlusions, there were no occlusal features which identified bruxers. It had been suggested that bruxing is a manifestation of unresolved person problems in children. It had also been linked to aggressive personalities in the 60s. This study refutes both of those claims.


Assessment of article:
Good article because a lot of parents are very concerned when they hear bruxing in their children, or when they see the occlusal wear. My (limited) experience is that the parents don’t generally associate bruxism with psychological problems at this age, but are just concerned about the child’s dentition.