Teeth grinding in children is otherwise known as bruxism and happens when children clench their upper and lower teeth, rubbing them together. Commonly children grind their teeth whilst sleeping and are not aware of what they are doing.
What are the causes of bruxism in children?
It is not known for certain why some children start grinding their teeth and some children don’t. There are many theories to suggest that it could be down to the fact that the sets of top and bottom teeth do not fit together comfortably due to the fact that children’s teeth and jaws grow in phases leading to unpleasant sensations in the area. The natural response of the child is to grind their teeth to soothe themselves which often later develops into a habit. It has also been shown that both children and adults grind their teeth when they feel anxious in some way, or even as a response to facial pain such as an earache or teething. It has also been shown that hyperactive children have developed bruxism.
More recent research has suggested that sleep disturbances may be a cause for bruxism in children as well as causing a number of other problems such as bed-wetting, drooling and sleep-talking. Interruptions in the rapid eye movement (REM) patterns due to dehydration during sleep can be the underlying cause of many of these problems, though your dentist will be able to advise you more on this matter.
What are the effects?
Children do not usually experience ill effects from grinding their teeth. Even when their milk teeth show wear it usually does not cause any pain or damage, yet if this wear gets severe, or if your child has already lost their milk teeth, then it is advisable to seek treatment from your dentist as dental problems such as tooth infections can occur. In most cases of teeth grinding in children they will usually outgrow the problem.
What can be done to help?
Whilst the problems will most likely go away you may want to try some methods to help the child stop grinding their teeth in the meantime. Your dentist would be the best source of advice, and will be able to make sure that there are no problems regarding the alignment of the child’s teeth.
The most common remedy recommendation is usually a mouth guard. Wearing a mouth guard at night will prevent the child from grinding their teeth and night, and has a very high success rate in reducing the habit. However, your child may feel uncomfortable wearing a mouth guard and for this reason it is wise to look into other treatment options. In many cases hypnosis has been shown a successful way to get people of all ages out of the habit of grinding teeth.
In children whose grinding appears to be down to stress or anxiety it is extremely important to discover the underlying cause for these feelings. Try ways to relax your child before they go to sleep, such as a warm bath and a massage of the jaw. These methods will help to ensure that your child has a deep, relaxing and uninterrupted sleep.
The most important thing is that you needn’t be alarmed by a child’s grinding as it is extremely common. If your child already has their adult teeth then it is more of a worry, though there are many options available so seek advice from your dentist.
Archive for the ‘Child Teething’ Category
Teeth Grinding in Kids (Bruxism in Kids): What Can You Do?
Saturday, September 4th, 2010Child Dental Care Information
Sunday, August 8th, 2010Healthy and strong teeth are an important part of child health. Children’s teeth start to develop before they are born. There are two sets of teeth first is milk teeth and second is permanent teeth. Milk teeth have an important part to play in the development of the permanent teeth, so it is very important to look after them. Milk teeth are very small, and any decay on a primary tooth is a concern. Permanent teeth usually start to erupt at the age of six. Adults have up to 32 permanent teeth. Most of these will erupt by the age of 13. Permanent teeth press on the roots of the milk teeth.
Children’s teeth are very sensitive and need care. Most pediatric dentists will conform that everyday dental care should begin by one year of age, with a dental check-up at least twice each consecutive year for most children. Several children may require more frequent evaluations and care. For babies should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby’s toothbrush. Brush your child’s teeth using toothpaste that contains fluoride twice a day, in the morning and before going to sleep at night. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains. Good eating habits are also key in good dental health.
Sugar sticks to teeth and causes decay. Be certain to stick to healthy foods and snacks. Stay away from candy and sugars. Brush your child’s teeth 2 to 3 times a day to cure plaque and tartar buildup. And never let your child take milk or juice to bed in a bottle or cup. The decreased swallowing while sleeping permits the sugars from these liquids to sit on the teeth causing serious decay. Other good dental health habits include do not put your young child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments are also very beneficial.
Sealants can cure tooth rot on the masticating surfaces of molars where four out of five cavities occur. Some children require more support than a soft, caring method to feel cozy during dental treatment. Restraint or mild sedation may profit your special child. Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have well teeth for life. Healthy teeth not only have powerful enamel and a lack of decay, but they are also well aligned. Healthy teeth mean that the child is skill to eat a healthy diet, and aids the development of the jaw. This can affect facial appearance and speech development.
Pediatric Dentistry and Child Care
Monday, July 12th, 2010Your child should visit the dentist by his or her first birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to do concerning the visit, the better. It is best if you refrain from using words that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby-teeth are important for: (1) proper chewing and eating. (2) providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscle. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.
Radiographs (X-rays ) are a vital and necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed. X-rays may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child and more affordable for you.
Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of their patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, the dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem . Lead body aprons and shields will protect your child. Today’s equipment filters out unnecessary X-rays and restricts the X-ray beam to the area of interest. High-speed film and proper shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount or radiation exposure.
Care of your child’s teeth begins with daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth erupts. A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough to not swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age seven to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child has the skill level to brush properly.
Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place toothbrush at a 45 degree angle; start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You may wish to floss the child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a C-shape and slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the gloss against the side of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget the backs of the last four teeth.
Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet, Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, which causes longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack choose nutritious foods such as vegetable, low fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.
Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. For older children, brush their teeth at least twice daily. Also watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.
Dental appointments should begin on your child’s first birthday and routine visits every 6 months will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.