Bruxism in children in times of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The global confinement due to SARS-COV-2 from March 11, 2020, has brought, in addition to contagion by the virus, an increase in the number of individuals who present stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and headache, of the temporomandibular joint and the neck, whose origin may be due to bruxism. According to previous studies, social distancing can hurt mental health and sleep quality in the general population, similarly affecting children, who are at an age of greater cognitive development, emotional and social. Objective: To expose the behavior of bruxism in infants in times of covid-19. Review: Bruxism is a repetitive activity of the masticatory muscles, characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth, which can occur while asleep or awake. It has a worldwide prevalence of 3.5 to 40.6% in children. Bruxism is not a pathology or disorder in itself; it could be a possible symptom of health conditions or habits that disturb the Central Nervous System. Conclusions: Children are susceptible to changes in their mood, where crises hurt their psychological well-being, so they experience sleep disorders, stress, and anxiety, which can cause bruxism. The confinement was a watershed in the increase of these conditions, the treatment should focus on the psychological, emotional, and dental aspects. Recommendations: More research and content on the subject are required.