OBJECTIVE: The use of chewing-gum and piercing has become common among adolescents and might result in increased oral muscle activity and overloading. AIM: To investigate the frequency of oral piercing and parafunctions in relation to symptoms of @entity2956 ( @entity2956 ) among adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four third level high school students, living either in a city or in a small town, enrolled in either science or media programmes, were included. The students completed a questionnaire regarding different parafunctions and symptoms of @entity2956 . A clinical examination of the temporomandibular system and estimation of the tooth wear was performed in 116 students. RESULTS: Chewing-gum was used by 86% of the students (25% with a daily use) and 14% had an oral piercing. The science students used more chewing gum than the media students (p   =   0.008), while the media students had more piercings (p   <   0.001). Symptoms once a week or more were reported with 39% for @entity10 , 18% for clicking, 7% for @entity158 and 6% for difficulty to open wide. @entity1 reported more @entity10 (p   =   0.007) and more severe symptoms (p   =   0.003), had more medical consultations and used more analgesics (both p   <   0.05) and had more clinical signs (p   =   0.01) than @entity1 . @entity1 had more oral piercings and used more chewing gum than @entity1 (both p   <   0.05). The media students had more sick leave (p   <   0.01) than the science students. Chewing-gum use was associated with @entity10 (p   <   0.01), with difficulty to open wide (p   <   0.05) and with tenderness of the temporomandibular joints and muscles (both p   <   0.05). Oral piercing was associated with @entity10 and @entity925 (both p   <   0.05) and daily nail biting with @entity10 (p   <   0.05) and tooth wear (p   =   0.004). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between use of chewing gum, nail biting, oral piercing, and symptoms of @entity2956 .

Oral parafunctions, piercing and signs and symptoms of XXXX in high school students.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['boys', 'Girls'] @entity2956 :: ('MESH:D013705', 'Disease') :: ['TMD', 'temporomandibular disorders'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['facial pain'] @entity10 :: ('MESH:D006261', 'Disease') :: ['headache', 'headaches'] @entity925 :: ('MESH:D063806', 'Disease') :: ['muscle tenderness']
@entity2956 :: (MESH:D013705,Disease) :: ['temporomandibular disorders']
