Epidemiology - Prevalence of bruxism ranges from 8% to 31% in the general population. - Awake bruxism is more common in women, while sleep bruxism affects both genders equally. - Children can develop sleep bruxism as early as the first year of life, with a prevalence of about 14-20%. - Adolescents have a prevalence of about 13%. - Adults have an overall prevalence of 8%, with a lower prevalence in individuals over the age of 60.

Signs and Symptoms - Symptoms of sleep bruxism are most intense upon waking and gradually decrease. - Grinding or tapping noise during sleep, often noticed by a partner. - Other parafunctional activities associated with bruxism include cheek biting and lip biting. - Burning sensation on the tongue, potentially related to tongue thrusting. - Indentations of the teeth on the tongue, known as crenated tongue.

Pain - Most individuals with bruxism do not experience pain. - The presence or severity of pain does not necessarily correlate with the intensity of grinding or clenching. - Pain in the muscles of mastication can be compared to muscle pain after exercise. - Pain may be felt in the masseter muscles (angle of the jaw) or temporalis muscles (temples). - Temporomandibular joints may become painful, accompanied by clicking.

Dental Effects - Excessive tooth wear, particularly attrition, is a common consequence of bruxism. - Tooth fractures and repeated failure of dental restorations (fillings, crowns, etc.) can occur. - Hypersensitive teeth may result from wearing away of insulating layers of dentin and enamel. - Inflammation of the periodontal ligament can cause soreness and possible tooth loosening. - Bruxism can negatively impact the components of the masticatory system, including the teeth, periodontium, and temporomandibular joints.

Causes and Treatments - The exact causes of bruxism are not fully understood but likely involve multiple factors. - Awake bruxism is thought to have different causes from sleep bruxism. - Various treatments are used, but evidence for their effectiveness is limited. - Self-reported bruxism may not accurately reflect the true prevalence. - The ICSD-R states that 85-90% of the general population grind their teeth at some point, but only 5% develop a clinical condition.