When you look at your sleeping child, you want to hear the sounds of sweet dreams: easy breathing and perhaps an occasional sigh. But some parents hear the harsher sounds of gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, which is common in children.
About Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for the grinding of teeth or the clenching of the jaw. Bruxism often occurs during deep sleep or while under stress. Two to three out of 10 children will grind or clench, experts say, but most outgrow.
Causes of Bruxism
Although studies have been conducted, no one knows why bruxism happens. But in some cases, children may grind because the top and bottom teeth are not aligned properly. Others do it as a response to pain, such as earache or teething. Children could their teeth as a way to grind to ease the pain, as they might rub a sore muscles. Many children outgrow these fairly common causes for grinding.
Stress - usually nervous tension or anger - is another matter. For example, if a child about a test at school or a change in routine (a new sibling or a new teacher to come). Even armed with parents and siblings cause enough stress prompt teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
Some children who are hyperactive also experience bruxism. And sometimes children with other disorders (such as cerebral palsy) or develop certain medications bruxism.
Effects of Bruxism
Many cases of bruxism go undetected without side effects, while others cause headaches or earaches. Usually, however, it is more troublesome, other family members because of the crunch.
In some cases, nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down the tooth enamel, chip teeth, increase temperature sensitivity and severe pain in the face and jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). Most children to grind the, but not TMJ problems when their grinding and clenching is chronic.
Diagnose bruxism
Many children who grind their teeth are not even aware of, so it is often siblings or parents who identify the problem.
Some signs to watch for:
Grinding noise when your child is sleeping
Complaints of a sore jaw or face in the morning
Pain when chewing
If you think your child is visiting the dentist to examine the grinding of his teeth, the teeth for abnormal wear and chipped enamel, and spray air and water to check the teeth unusual sensitivity.
If damage is detected, the dentist may ask your child some questions, such as:
How do you go to bed feeling?
Are you concerned about what everything at home or at school?
Are you mad at someone?
You know what to do before bedtime?
The examination, the dentist will help determine whether the loops caused by anatomical factors (misaligned teeth) or psychological (stress) and come with an effective treatment plan.
Treating bruxism
Most children outgrow bruxism, but a combination of parental observation and dental visits can help keep the problem at bay until they do.
In cases where the grinding and clenching make a child's face and jaw sore or damage the teeth, dentists may prescribe a special night guard. Molded to the teeth of a child, the night guard is similar to the protective mouthpieces worn by football players. Though a mouthpiece may take some getting used to pass positive results quickly.
Helping Kids with bruxism
Whether the cause is physical or psychological, children might be able to bruxism by relaxing before bedtime to control - for example, by taking a warm bath or shower, heard a few minutes of soothing music or read a book.
For bruxism is caused by stress over what to put disturbing your child and find a way to help. For example, a child who is about away from home for a first camping trip might concern need to be sure that mom or dad to be close if needed.
If the problem is more complicated, such as moving to a new city, discuss your child's concerns and try to alleviate any fears. If you are worried, talk to your doctor.
In rare cases, basic stress relievers are not enough to stop bruxism. If your child has trouble sleeping or act differently than usual, your dentist or doctor may suggest further evaluation. This can help the cause of the stress and an appropriate course of treatment.
How long does bruxism last?
Childhood bruxism is usually outgrown by adolescence. Most children stop grinding when they lose their baby teeth. However, a few children have continued to grind into adolescence. And if the bruxism is caused by stress, it will continue until the tension is relieved.
Prevent bruxism
Because some bruxism is a child's natural reaction to growth and development, most cases can not be prevented. Stress-induced bruxism can be avoided, but regularly help them by talking to the children about their feelings and how to deal with stress. Take your child to find the routine dental visits and, if necessary, to treat bruxism.