Morris Kyle, Ait-Aissa Karima, Sahyoun Amal M, Wang Qi, Abidi Ammaar H, Kassan Modar
College of Dental Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, LMU Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
FASEB J. 2025 Sep 15;39(17):e71017. doi: 10.1096/fj.202502015R.
Bruxism is an involuntary condition involving grinding and clenching of the teeth, occurring during both wakefulness and sleep. This behavior can lead to various detrimental effects on oral health, including significant tooth wear and damage, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), tooth sensitivity, gum recession, and persistent headaches along with ear pain or tinnitus. The underlying causes of bruxism have long been debated, with the consensus suggesting that psychological, genetic, and environmental factors contribute to its development. Traditionally, the etiology of bruxism has been linked to stress, anxiety, malocclusion or dental misalignment, and other behavioral factors. However, recent research has begun to explore the potential role of oral microbiota in the pathophysiology of bruxism. Emerging studies propose that disruptions in the balance of oral bacteria may influence the onset and severity of bruxism, possibly by affecting inflammatory processes or neurological pathways related to muscle function. This literature review aims to explore this novel connection, summarizing key study findings, examining the implications for treatment, and evaluating the potential mechanisms by which oral microbiota may impact bruxism. Understanding this relationship could open new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting microbial factors in managing bruxism.
磨牙症是一种非自主性疾病，涉及在清醒和睡眠期间磨牙和紧咬牙。这种行为会对口腔健康产生各种有害影响，包括严重的牙齿磨损和损伤、颞下颌关节紊乱（TMD）、牙齿敏感、牙龈退缩，以及持续的头痛并伴有耳痛或耳鸣。磨牙症的潜在病因长期以来一直存在争议，目前的共识是心理、遗传和环境因素都对其发展有影响。传统上，磨牙症的病因与压力、焦虑、咬合不正或牙齿排列不齐以及其他行为因素有关。然而，最近的研究开始探索口腔微生物群在磨牙症病理生理学中的潜在作用。新出现的研究表明，口腔细菌平衡的破坏可能会影响磨牙症的发作和严重程度，可能是通过影响与肌肉功能相关的炎症过程或神经通路。这篇文献综述旨在探讨这种新的联系，总结关键研究结果，研究其对治疗的影响，并评估口腔微生物群可能影响磨牙症的潜在机制。了解这种关系可能为针对微生物因素治疗磨牙症开辟新的治疗策略途径。
