Evaluation of the Prevalence of Bruxism and Its Associated Factors among 3-6-Year-Old Children in Yazd

Bruxism in children negatively affects the quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate theprevalence of bruxism and its associated factors among 3-6-year-old children in Yazd in 2018. This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted on 270 3-6-year-old children who were selected via cluster sampling in Yazd. The needed data were collected through parent questionnaire (demographic characteristics of child and parents, as well as child's medical history) and the children's assessment form (muscle examination, occlusion, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft)). The validity of the questionnaires was validated by experts' opinions, and the reliability of the questionnaires was confirmed rendering a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87. Data were analyzed in SPSS software. As evidenced by the obtained results, the prevalence of bruxism in 3-6-year-old children in Yazd was obtained at 46.7%. The relationship between bruxism in these children and gender was not significant, while the association between bruxism and age was significant (p < /em>=0.0001). There was no statistically significant relationship between parental education and bruxism in children; nonetheless, the relationship between parents' occupation and the prevalence of bruxism in children was significant. Children with bruxism have a family history of bruxism among their families. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was detected between bruxism and sleep talking, restless sleep, child dysthymia, prognosis, complaints of temporal pain, complaints of dental pain without signs of decay, type of occlusion, and limitation in mouth opening of children. Based on the results of the current study and the effect of such factors as parental occupation, sleep disorders, and dysthymia on the development of bruxism in children, it is necessary to increase parental knowledge through educational programs in an attempt to prevent and reduce the prevalence of bruxism in community.