Association of Awake Bruxism with Tooth Wear and Occupational Stress Among Mechanical and Non-Mechanical Workers

Background: Awake bruxism, a dental and psychological health concern, is linked to physical and cognitive stress in mechanical workers, while non-mechanical workers may face higher stressors. The purpose of this analysis was to consider the association of awake bruxism with tooth wear and occupational stress in factory workers of Heavy Industries Taxila. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Heavy Industries Taxila Factory, during a period of six months from March 2022 to August 2022 in which 245 factory workers were enrolled. Using nonprobability consecutive sampling technique. Dental wear was assessed through the clinical examination tool BSE (bruxism Status Examination) scale by the principal investigator (BSE)after taking history using a questionnaire. Using SPSS 26 univariate and Multivariate analysis was done on factory workers involved in heavy machinery presenting with awake bruxism. The p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: 122 (49.8%) of the 245 were non-mechanical workers, and 123 (50.2%) were heavy mechanical workers. According to the index, the total tooth wear (SD) was 3.1±0.5 (2.9±0.4 for non-mechanical workers and 3.3±0.8 for mechanical workers). Among which, 53 (43.6%) non-mechanical workers were categorized as grade 2 and 49(40.0%) mechanical workers as grade 3. Moreover, mechanical workers had a higher prevalence of awake bruxism (56.4% versus 36.4%,). Only 33(27.3%) of non-mechanical workers acknowledged experiencing occupational stress, in contrast with 56(45.5%) of mechanical workers. The number of instances of mechanical workers who reported having both conditions was three times higher than that of non-mechanical workers (23.6% vs. 7.3%). Conclusion: Awake bruxism tooth wear and occupational stress in participants working in a factory involved with heavy machinery exhibited significant association.