Oral habits among adolescent girls and their association with symptoms of temporomandibular disorders

Aim: To evaluate the contribution of certain parafunctional activities to t he presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms among teenage girl s, with special emphasis to gum chewing and jaw play. Methods: A total of 3 23 girls, aged 15-16 years, were randomly selected from a religious junior high school. The girls responded to a questionnaire on oral habits and TMD symptoms. Results: Gum chewing was a very prevalent habit (62.4%), performe d daily (mean chewing time 3.95 h day(-1)). Girls who chewed intensively (m ore than 4 h day(-1)) showed associations with pain in the ear area during function and at rest, as well as with joint noises. Jaw play, although repo rted by only 14.3%, was significantly associated with pain In the ear area during function and at rest, feeling of tiredness of the jaw while chewing, feint noises, catch and lock. All oral parafunctions, except chewing gum, were associated with jaw play and with each other. Conclusions: Jaw play wa s the most detrimental habit in TMD; intensive gum chewing was a potentiall y contributing factor for joint noises and pain. Oral parafunctions (except chewing gum) were significantly associated between themselves and suggest a behavioural pattern of 'jaw hyperactivity'.