Temporomandibular Disorders in 13- and 15-Year-Old Females: A Longitudinal Study

Many adolescents, especially females, suffer from temporomandibular pain and dysfunction (TMD). We investigated the prevalence and progression of TMD symptoms in an early teen cohort in relation to oral parafunctions.

Girls 13 years of age in 19 middle schools were invited to participate. A total of 630 girls were enrolled in a prospective study at age 13 and 507 girls were followed at the age of 15 years. The girls completed a short questionnaire at the start and at follow-up. Clinical examination was performed at the start in 24% of the girls. All girls had regular check-ups at the Community Dentistry Clinic.

Approximately one fourth of the 13-year-old girls reported TMD symptoms and headache once a week or more often. The frequencies increased during the follow-up to one third of the girls at age 15 years. Headache was the most common complaint with daily headache occurring in 7.5% of the girls at 15 years. At the clinical examination at age 13, one or more TMD signs were noticed in 36% of the girls with pain-related diagnoses in 32% (predominantly of muscle origin) and joint clicking in 4.5% of the girls. The need for some attention/care was estimated at 15%. There was a strong relationship between TMD symptoms and oral parafunctions.

Approximately one third of 13- and 15-year-old girls reported TMD symptoms and had clinical signs. It is crucial to take heed to TMD symptoms in young teenagers.