Pandemic Stress by COVID-19 on Bruxism Symptoms in Guardians and Mothers of Pediatric Patients

Pandemic stress due to COVID-19 is caused by several factors: Social distancing, fear of getting sick, one ́s own death or that of a loved one, and uncertainty. Bruxism is characterized by the habit of clenching and grinding the dental organs. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of COVID-19 pandemic stress on bruxism symptoms in mothers or guardians of pediatric patients. Two questionnaires were applied to 200 women: To measure the levels of pandemic stress (ISEP) and to evaluate the presence of bruxism symptoms (CBA), both with their respective Likert-type scale items. The Kruskal-Wallis statistics were used for differences in pandemic stress as a function of age, and Pearson’s correlation was used for interval or ratio type variables. 96 % of the women experienced moderate to very severe stress during the pandemic, with similar levels across age groups. Seventeen percent presented definite symptoms of bruxism. An association was found between pandemic stress level and bruxism symptoms. The higher the pandemic stress, the greater the bruxism symptoms, regardless of age.

KEY WORDS: pandemic stress, bruxism symptoms, mothers or guardians.