Oral habits and temporomandibular joint disorders according to stress levels among military personnel in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Military personnel suffer from stress-induced temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). No previous studies have evaluated the oral habits and TMD in military personnel based on their stress levels.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the correlation between oral habits and TMD based on stress levels. In addition, we assessed the relationship between stress levels and TMD by military rank as well as the impact of oral habits on TMD.

METHOD: This cross-sectional survey included 89 military personnel who visited the Armed Forces Medical Center in Korea with discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort. Oral habits, stress level, TMD and general characteristics of the subjects were investigated. A questionnaire was distributed to the subjects who agreed to the study, and they were asked to respond in a self-written form. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the factors that affect oral habits and TMJ symptoms.

RESULTS: Stress scores and oral habits were highest in the 'Private' rank. In contrast, temporomandibular joint symptoms were highest in the 'Corporal' rank. Additionally, the high-risk stress group exhibited higher scores in oral habits and TMD compared to the potential stress group. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between an increase in high-risk stress scores and a rise in oral habits. And individuals with more oral habits are at an increased likelihood of experiencing TMD.

CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest that military personnel with prevent TMD and improve oral habits by addressing stress levels.