Interdisciplinary evidence between bruxism and environmental electromagnetic variations: Perspectives in Dental Neuroscience

Abstract

Characterised by teeth clenching or grinding, bruxism is a neuromuscular disorder with multifaceted origins, involving neurological, psychosocial, and genetic factors. Current studies in sleep neuroscience and chronobiology have broadened our understanding of its pathological mechanisms. At the same time, scientific literature is beginning to explore whether natural electromagnetic oscillations, such as solar and geomagnetic ones, can modulate autonomic homeostasis and biological rhythms. This paper reviews the connection between dentistry, neuroscience and geophysics, focusing on the mechanisms that may mediate the influence of electromagnetic fields on the exacerbation of bruxism. It is suggested that the instability of the autonomic system, combined with changes in melatonin secretion and dopaminergic function caused by circadian rhythm disorders, act as links in this causal chain. Although direct evidence is still limited, the body of indirect evidence supports the biological viability of the hypothesis, indicating a promising field for future investigations.