Bruxismo infantil: etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento – uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

Bruxism is a behavior that triggers repetitive activity in the masticatory muscles, characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth and/or the contraction or movement of the jaw. With the advancement of studies, the concept of bruxism has evolved from a disorder to a motor activity with possible functional implications. Its classification is based on the cause, being either primary or secondary; and on the type, being either sleep-related or wakefulness-related. The aim of the study was to review and discuss the main concepts related to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric bruxism, as well as to assess the level of knowledge on the topic among pediatric dentists and caregivers of children. The bibliographic search was conducted by selecting articles published between 2010 and 2024, including relevant studies from this period. The databases used were PubMed and SciELO, totaling 45 articles chosen for analysis. Scientific evidence showed that pediatric bruxism has a multifactorial etiology, involving respiratory, sleep-related, quality of life, oral health, occlusal, psychological, and genetic factors. The diagnosis is based on reports from caregivers, clinical exams, and instrumental assessments, such as polysomnography and electromyography. Given its complexity, treatment should be multidisciplinary, involving pediatric dentists, pediatricians, psychologists, and physiotherapists. The prevalence of pediatric bruxism ranges from 3.5% to 40.6%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used. The need for further studies on pediatric bruxism was observed to expand knowledge regarding its etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. This way, it will be possible to enhance diagnostic accuracy and the effectiveness of interventions, minimizing the impacts of this condition on children's oral health and quality of life.