Effect of aromatherapy on sleep bruxism: A randomized double-blind crossover controlled tria

<p>[Introduction] Sleep bruxism causes various dental problems, consisting of tooth erosion, tooth and root fractures, temporomandibular joint disorder crisis, and tension headaches. Conversely, aromatherapy is highly relaxing and has recently been utilized in medical and nursing care settings. Dental treatment is frequently characterized by pain, dental phobia, etc., and aromatherapy remains unrecognized in the field of dentistry, where it is expected to exert a positive effect. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect and efficacy of essential oils in olfactory stimulation by investigating masseter muscle activity during sleep and propose a new treatment for sleep bruxism.</p><p>[Methods] The agents for aromatherapy included the essential oils of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and marjoram (Organum majorana). Subsequently, we investigated the activity of the masseter muscle by measuring the rate-limiting masticatory muscle activity during the whole night’s sleep of 49 subjects. Measurements were conducted on day 2, without intervention as the baseline; day 3, with one essential oil; day 4, without intervention; day 5, with another essential oil; and day 6, without intervention. Measurements were then compared during the essential oil intervention with those of the baseline measurement on day 2. Moreover, the number of episodes per hour was compared among the groups.</p><p>[Results] The number of episodes was significantly decreased in marjoram relative to baseline (p=0.0346). The bergamot responder demonstrated a significantly reduced number of episodes for both essential oils. The marjoram responder exhibited a significant decrease in terms of the number of episodes and gender or preference. The number of episodes was significantly higher for both responders than for non-responders, indicating that those with sleep bruxism demonstrated both responses. Furthermore, the marjoram responder was more predominant in those with severe bruxism.</p><p>[Conclusions] Marjoram reduces sleep bruxism. Further, both marjoram and bergamot decreased sleep bruxism in patients with severe bruxism.</p>