Bruxism is not a high-performance sport: prevalence and manifestations in CrossFit® and powerlifting practitioners

Abstract

This study analyzed the prevalence of bruxism and its manifestations among CrossFit and powerlifting practitioners in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. It was a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at four training centers in the city's East and South zones. Data were collected via an online questionnaire (Google Forms) covering sociodemographic information, bruxism, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and physical activity habits. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee (protocol no. 7.806.742), and all participants signed an Informed Consent Form. A total of 106 practitioners participated (50.9% women; 49.1% men), aged 18 or older, with at least six months of training experience at a frequency of at least three times per week. Strength training practitioners who engaged in other physical disciplines were excluded. The prevalence of self-reported bruxism was 16%; however, 30.2% reported clenching or grinding their teeth during training, and 20.8% experienced pain or discomfort when opening or closing their mouths. Only 1.9% used mouthguards. The study concludes that, despite the low prevalence of bruxism, the high incidence of orofacial symptoms and low mouthguard usage highlight the need for preventive and educational measures focused on oral health, stress management, and guidance regarding care during strength training activities.