Temporomandibular pain and quality of life assessment in adolescents in a Norwegian cohort

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the prevalence of pain from the face and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and oral function in adolescents and contribute to more focus on this patient group. METHODS: A total of 957 adolescents were included in this study, in age cohorts 18, 16, and 14, scheduled for a dental recall examination. Clinical data were collected as a part of the routine clinical examination. All participants also answered a survey. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants had experienced facial pain in the last 3 months, headache being the most prevalent site reported. A significantly higher prevalence was found for females for all pain sites, and facial pain was significantly higher among the oldest. A reduced maximal incisal opening was significantly associated with higher reported facial/jaw pain, with increased mouth opening pain and chewing pain. Fifty‐seven percent of the participants reported the use of nonprescription painkillers, highest among females, and in the oldest age cohort, mainly caused by nonfeverish headaches. General health was found to be negatively correlated to facial pain, headache, pain intensity, and duration, pain upon oral function, and oral movement, as well as the use of nonprescriptive drugs. Females in the older age group, experience less quality of life in general, as they felt more worried, anxious, lonely, and sad, compared to males. CONCLUSION: Facial‐ and TMJ pain was higher in females, and higher with increasing age. Almost half of the participants had experienced facial pain in the last 3 months, headache being the most prevalent site reported. General health was found to be negatively correlated to facial pain.