Posted on May 19, 2009 in latest news
Is your child clenching or grinding teeth during sleep? Wonder why? Its due to ‘bruxism’ – which is a problem in which a person clenches/grinds teeth unconsciously, especially during sleep. Bruxism affects 3 out of 10 children, and is mostly seen in kids under 5. Most kids outgrow this problem by the time they reach adolescence. As Bruxism can lead to dental problems, early detection and treatment is important.
Symptoms of Bruxism in Children:
The following are the symptoms of bruxism:
- Clenching/Grinding teeth, especially during sleep
- Grinding noise when your child is sleeping
- Wear and tear of teeth such as chipped, flattened and fractured teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain and facial pain resulting from grinding the teeth
- Ear ache/Headache
Why is Bruxism Caused?
Bruxism can be caused by physical or psychological reasons. Here are the few factors which cause bruxism:
- Psychological factors such as anxiety, anger, nervousness and stress. For example a child who undergoes stress due to relocation, an exam etc. can clench teeth
- Development of teeth and jaws may cause pain, resulting in bruxism
- Inappropriate aligment of lower and upper teeth
If you suspect your child is suffering from bruxism, consult a dentist, who would give proper diagnosis and treatment
Bruxism Treatment:
The following are the options to treat bruxism:
Relaxation: Relaxing before sleep can help kids in overcoming bruxism. Pre-sleeping rituals such as having a warm bath, listening to music, reading a book etc. can have a relaxing effect and help your child to overcome bruxism
Stress Management: Finding out what is upsetting your child and talking to him/her to relieve the fears can help. Professional counseling can also help in managing stress and overcoming bruxism
Mouth guards: Mouth guards or night guards, which fit over the teeth, can be used to prevent damage to the teeth and jaw
As bruxism can be due to physical or psychological factors – knowing the reason behind bruxism can help in proper treatment. Bruxism can damage teeth, and can lead to headaches, jaw pain and facial pain. Hence, parents should detect this problem early in their kids and consult a dentist at the earliest.
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