How to Treat Teeth Grinding in Children
Why Does My Child Grind Their Teeth at Night?
While the exact causes are sometimes difficult to determine, bruxism in children may be due to:
- Misaligned teeth
- The child is in pain
- To relieve anxiety or stress
- Hyperactivity
- Sleep apnea
Bruxism can cause earaches, headaches, jaw issues, and facial pain. It is also important to make sure bruxism is not chipping their teeth or causing wear on tooth enamel.
How Do You Stop Teeth Grinding?
A custom fit mouth guard, designed and created by your dentist, can help stop teeth grinding. When the appliance is worn, it prevents clenching and preserves tooth enamel.
What Does Grinding Teeth in Your Sleep Mean?
Grinding teeth in your sleep can be due to anxiety, stress, or other conditions. To find the exact cause, see your dentist.
Can Bruxism Be Cured?
If bruxism is due to stress or anxiety, counseling to manage these conditions can help alleviate or cure bruxism. If bruxism is due to underlying medical conditions, curing bruxism will depend on the success of the medical treatment. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed or setting a routine for your child, can also help cure bruxism.
How Do You Treat Bruxism?
The best ways to treat bruxism include:
- Wearing a mouth guard when sleeping
- Treating any stress and anxiety
- Treating any underlying medical conditions that may be related to bruxism.
For children, bruxism can also be treated by using the following:
- Reduce your child's stress, especially just before bedtime.
- Massage your child to relax the muscles.
- Stretching exercises before bedtime.
- Make sure your child drinks enough water to avoid dehydration, which may cause teeth grinding.
- Regular dental visits so your dentist can keep an eye on your child's teeth.
Can Grinding Teeth Cause Problems?
If left untreated, bruxism can lead to headaches, tooth fracture, and sleep disturbances.
Does Vitamin Deficiency Cause Teeth Grinding?
Nutritional deficiencies are one suspected cause of bruxism. Commonly, Vitamin B5, calcium, and magnesium supplementation can help.
Does Chewing Gum Help with Bruxism?
Chewing gum should be avoided when a person has bruxism. The jaw clenching motion needed to chew gum allows the jaw muscles to get used to the movements, which makes teeth grinding more likely.
How Do You Treat Bruxism Pain?
A mouth guard should bring pain relief caused by bruxism. Talk to your dentist about which options are best for your child.
If suspect your child is experiencing symptoms of bruxism, make an appointment today in one of our many convenient New York area offices. We have convenient office hours, including nights and weekends, and we welcome walk-ins.
