Cognitive and Orofacial Intersections

prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and bruxism in individuals with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Authors

  • Arthur Alexis Valentin Caron Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM)
  • Rodrigo Lorenz Poluha Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Departamento de Odontologia, Paraná
  • Marlon Ferreira Dias Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP/FOAr, Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara, Departamento de Materiais Odontológicos e Prótese, Araraquara
  • Dyanne Medina Flores Universidade de São Paulo - USP/FOB, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Departamento de Prótese
  • Alfonso Sanchéz-Ayala Universidade de Ponta Grossa, Departamento de Odontologia, Ponta Grossa
  • Justin Durham Newcastle University, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
  • Giancarlo De la Torre Canales Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7765-2025-0771

Keywords:

Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, Temporomandibular disorders, Bruxism

Abstract

Objective. Despite emerging evidence pointing to a comorbidity between temporomandibular disorders (TMD), bruxism, and neuropsychiatric conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), limited studies have explored this relationship in adult populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of painful TMD and self-reported bruxism in adults with highly consistent ADHD symptoms. Methodology. In total, 90 adult participants were divided into two groups based on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener, G1: individuals with highly consistent ADHD symptomatology (n=60), and G2: controls (n=30). All participants completed validated instruments assessing TMD (TMD Pain Screener), self-reported bruxism (OBC), anxiety (GAD-7), somatization (PHQ-15), perceived stress (PSS), sleep quality (PSQI), pain hypervigilance (PVAQ), and jaw function (JFLS-8). The chi-square test, adjusted using Bonferroni criteria for multiple comparisons, and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Results. A higher prevalence of women (p=0.006), South Americans (p=0.008), and individuals with low/lower middle income (p=0.0001) was found in G1. G1 showed a significantly higher prevalence of painful TMD (p=0.001) and awake bruxism (p=0.013) compared to G2. Participants in G1 also exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety, somatization, stress, poor sleep quality, pain hypervigilance, and jaw limitation (p<0.05). No significant differences in sleep bruxism were found between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion. These findings suggest a potential behavioral and emotional vulnerability to orofacial disorders in adults with highly consistent ADHD symptoms.

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Published

2026-03-23

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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How to Cite

Caron, A. A. V., Poluha, R. L., Dias, M. F., Flores, D. M., Sanchéz-Ayala, A., Durham, J., & Canales, G. D. la T. (2026). Cognitive and Orofacial Intersections: prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and bruxism in individuals with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Applied Oral Science, 34, e2025-0771. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7765-2025-0771