Bruxism and Tooth Clenching in Athletes: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Oral Health Consequences - A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.79.76742Keywords
Awake bruxism, Sleep bruxism, Oral health, Sports medicine, Temporomandibular disorders, bruxism, athletes, TMD, tooth wearAbstract
Background. Bruxism a repetitive masticatory muscle activity characterized by teeth grinding and clenching. There are two forms of bruxism: sleep bruxism and awake bruxism. Although bruxism has been studied in athletes, there is still a lack of precise data regarding its consequences for both health and athletic performance, as well as regarding treatment methods.
Aim. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize current research on bruxism in athletes and its prevalence, potential risk factors, oral and musculoskeletal consequences, implications for athletic performance, and available prevention and management strategies
Material and methods. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. English language publications from 2016–2026 and selected earlier studies were considered. Findings were synthesized narratively.
Results. The literature indicates that bruxism is a significant issue among athletes, although reported prevalence rates vary considerably across studies. Bruxism has been linked to psychological stress, oral and musculoskeletal health symptoms, and certain aspects of athletic performance. Nevertheless, differences in assessment methods and the limited number of studies conducted on athletes reduce the certainty of these findings. Evidence regarding the efficacy of available treatment methods remains inconclusive.
Conclusions. Bruxism appears to be relatively common among athletes, although its prevalence and clinical significance remain incompletely established. Evidence regarding its impact on athletic performance and the effectiveness of available treatment methods remains limited and inconsistent. Further research is needed to clarify its consequences in athletes and identify effective strategies for prevention and management.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Dzieniakowska, Adrian Kobus, Aleksandra Bernaś, Adam Surma, Maja Podziewska, Jakub Maciaszczyk, Maja Warchoł, Robert Durski, Norbert Kobus, Julia Piecyk
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