Bruxism and Stress Among Veterans With Gulf War Illness

This study explores perceived stress and experience with bruxism among veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). Stress may manifest physically as bruxism, a parafunctional oral activity that consists of teeth grinding and/or clenching.

An online survey of GWI veterans (n = 28, 27.7% response rate) assessed perceived general stress and self-reported behaviors, symptoms, and outcomes associated with bruxism. Survey questions also collected basic demographic data and past military experience. The appropriate Institutional Review Board approved this study (IRB-300001376). Statistical analyses utilized both analysis of variance and linear regression techniques in addition to descriptive statistics.

This sample of GWI veterans reported higher levels of perceived stress (M = 20.2, SD = 7.0) than general population males (M = 12.1, SD = 5.9). A majority of GWI veterans reported both grinding (77.8%) and clenching (85.2%) teeth on a weekly or daily basis. Grinding frequency did not predict perceived stress scale values (F = 2.38, P = .11). Clenching frequency did significantly predict perceived stress scale values (F = 4.07, P = .03). Those who reported daily clenching had significantly higher perceived stress scores (M = 22.17, SD = 5.87) than did those who reported never clenching (M = 12.00, SD = 5.35). Length of military service did not significantly predict perceived stress or bruxism experience.

GWI veterans reported higher levels of perceived stress in comparison with that of general population males. Both the high frequency of teeth grinding and clenching in these patients is a potential physical manifestation of the high perceived stress levels reported. It is imperative that both military and civilian dentists and physicians are aware of the potential for increased stress and consequently bruxism in this patient population as it can have negative impacts on oral and mental health. Treatment of these patients can include but is not limited to behavior modification, stress reduction training, and the fabrication of mouth guards. The dental and medical implications of bruxism and stress in veterans with GWI should be further investigated.