THE LINK BETWEEN BRUXISM AND HEADACHES

Introduction:
Some research reports headaches are twice more common in individuals with temporomandibular dysfunctions rather than in individuals seeking for a routine dental care. It has been found that these headaches are individualized, subjective and that muscular hyperactivity is a distinctive feature in these patients. Due to the fact that bite plates (occlusal guards) reduce muscular hyperactivity and headache, especially in patients who develop headache four or more times per week; studies suggest its placement as a conservative, reversible and non-invasive treatment in patients with etiological factors difficult to identify, as well as in the absence of tumors, blows, arteriovenous malformations, lumbar punctures and other obvious organic causes. (Kassian, 2006). Tension headache is characterized by a long-lasting headache, over months or years which occurs in the morning upon waking up or in the evening lasting several hours, intermittently and then continuously. The distribution in the skull is pointed by the index finger or with the extended hand indicating a hemicranial or bilateral location with a sensation at the beginning of the neck or occipital region extending towards the vertex and rarely to the forehead. Others mention hypersensitivity to the touch in the cervical region, the heat relieves it and the cold aggravates it, the movements of the neck exacerbate it. It may be accompanied by bruxism and extend to the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle and shoulders. It may also extend towards the anterior or posterior part of the pinna of the ear. Its organic origin is proved by its partial or total relief with analgesics.
An investigation was made with university students to know the presence of bruxism and the relation that this has between stress and anxiety, within the variables the relationship with the headache was evaluated.

Objective:
To compare anxiety and stress levels among individuals with and without headaches. Methodology: It is an applied, observational, cross-sectional and prospective study, carried out in students of the Faculty of Administration of the Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz region.

Results:
49% of the surveyed population was female and 51% male. A prevalence of 61% of students with bruxism was found in the sample examined. The most frequent dental damage found were as follows: 60% of tooth wear, 49% joint clicking sounds, 34% of dental hypersensitivity, 28% of myalgia, 25% of frequent headaches and 4.47% of dental fractures.
This study is part of a comprehensive study that was conducted with university students, to establish preventive programs that allow them to have a better health and quality of life considering that it is the economically active population in the next ten years.

Conclusions:
It is necessary to promote at the university level real programs of prevention and attention for Mental Health needs of our students.