Prevalence of mandibular dysfunction and orofacial parafunction in 7-, 11- and 15-year-old Swedish children

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Abstract
The prevalence of bruxism, of subjective symptoms and of clinical signs of mandibular dysfunction was recorded in 7-, 11- and 15-year-old children (total number 402). Bruxism was reported by 20–25% of the children and subjective symptoms of dysfunction (mostly occasional) by 16–25%, the frequency increasing with age. The prevalence of clinical signs of dysfunction also increased with age from about 30% in the youngest to 60% in the oldest age group. Most clinical signs were judged to be slight, the commonest occurrences were TMJ sounds and tenderness of the masticatory muscles to palpation. There was a positive correlation between subjective symptoms and clinical signs of dysfunction, as well as between reported bruxism and clinical signs of dysfunction.