AI Insight
This cross-sectional study of 300 adults in New Delhi, India found that residents of high-traffic areas had significantly higher rates of temporomandibular joint disorders (61.3% vs. 25.3%), bruxism (42.7% vs. 14.0%), and malocclusion (52.0% vs. 26.0%) compared to low-traffic area residents. High noise exposure was the strongest independent predictor of TMD, with exploratory mediation analysis suggesting that bruxism and perceived stress may account for approximately 41% of this association. A dose-response relationship was established between noise exposure levels and these oral health conditions.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that chronic environmental noise pollution in urban areas may contribute to increased risk of jaw disorders and teeth grinding, potentially through stress-mediated pathways. The results support the implementation of noise reduction policies in high-traffic urban zones and indicate that residents of such areas may benefit from targeted oral health screening programs.
Understand the Science
by Abdullah Hasan A. Alshehri, Abdulkhaliq Ali F. Alshadidi, Lujain Ibrahim N. Aldosari, Sultan Mohammed Kaleem, Vishwanath Gurumurthy, Rajesh Vyas, Sunil Kumar Vaddamanu
Background
Chronic environmental noise exposure is a recognized public health concern linked to stress-mediated physiological responses, yet its specific impact on temporomandibular disorders (TMD), bruxism, and malocclusion remains poorly investigated.
Objectives
To compare the prevalence of TMD, malocclusion, and bruxism between adults residing in high-traffic versus Low- traffic areas in New Delhi, India, and to identify independent predictors of TMD risk.
Methods
This comparative cross-sectional study enrolled 300 adults (150 per group) from high traffic and low traffic residential areas of New Delhi, India. Individual-level noise exposure (LAeq,24h) was objectively measured. TMD was diagnosed using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD Axis I criteria). Bruxism, malocclusion, perceived stress scale −1= (PSS-10), and Pittsburgh sleep quality (PSQI) were assessed using validated instruments. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analysis were performed.
Results
High-traffic residents had significantly higher TMD prevalence (61.3% vs. 25.3%), bruxism (42.7% vs. 14.0%), and malocclusion (52.0% vs. 26.0%; all p < 0.001). A significant dose-response relationship was confirmed (χ² for trend p < 0.001). High noise exposure was the strongest independent predictor of TMD (aOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.00–4.80). Bruxism and perceived stress accounted for 41.4% of this association in exploratory mediation analysis, a pattern compatible with mediation, though the cross sectional design precludes establishing temporal precedence.
Conclusions
Environmental noise exposure was independently and dose-dependently associated with TMD andbruxism. malocclusion was also prevalent in high traffic areas; however, this cross sectional association more likely reflects pre-existing skeletal or occlusal characteristics than a causal effect of noise, and should be interpreted with caution. These findings support noise abatement policies and targeted oral health screening in high traffic urban environments.