3 Ways to Protect Your Child's Teeth
Prevention and early intervention are the best tools available to protect your child’s teeth from cavities and other oral health problems. Here are three tips to help protect your child’s teeth and gums.
4 Ways to Help Stop Nighttime Teeth Grinding in Children
Nighttime teeth grinding can take a while to detect. Depending on the severity and frequency, your child might not even realize it’s happening.
And while nIghttime teeth grinding might seem like less of an oral health issue than cavities, for example, it can cause wear and tear on your child’s teeth and lead to additional oral health problems.
At Oasis Pediatric Dental Care & Orthodontics, our dentists Nathalie Phaeton, DDS, and Ki Youn Kil, DDS, offer pediatric dentistry and orthodontic services at our office in Falls Church, Virginia. In this blog, they explain the signs of teeth grinding and how you can help them stop doing it.
The basics of nighttime teeth grinding in children
Teeth grinding or clenching (also known as bruxism) is pretty common in children. It’s estimated that anywhere from 13-49% of children experience bruxism at some point. Common factors that can contribute to nighttime teeth grinding are stress, anxiety, bite misalignments, and hyperactivity.
Some children don’t have noticeable symptoms of bruxism and may not even know that they’re grinding their teeth while they sleep. However, teeth grinding can cause a number of symptoms and conditions, such as the following:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Painful chewing
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
- Wear and tear on the teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Bite and alignment problems
If you notice any of these issues, or if you suspect your child is grinding their teeth, schedule an appointment for a dental exam.
4 ways to help stop nighttime teeth grinding in children
If your child grinds their teeth, there are some steps you can take to help them stop.
1. Manage their sugar and caffeine intake, especially at night
Consuming sugar and caffeine, especially close to bed time, may make your child feel agitated and disrupt their sleep. So don’t let them consume any of these substances too close to bed time.
2. Help them manage their stress
Young children are as vulnerable to stress and anxiety as adults, and it can disrupt their mental and physical health in some of the same ways. Encourage your child to talk about their stress and fears, and help them find healthy coping mechanisms and relaxation practices, especially before bed time.
Going through facial exercises with them and applying warm compresses to their jaws may also help to relax their jaw muscles and ease tightness and pain.
3. Get a night guard
A night guard is a removable appliance that your child wears while they sleep to protect their teeth from nighttime grinding. A night guard is custom designed from an impression of your child’s teeth, and it keeps their top arch of teeth from grinding on their lower arch.
4. Bring them to a dentist
If you know your child grinds their teeth — or even if you're unsure — the best thing you can do is bring them in for a dental exam. A dental exam is the only way to find out for sure what’s going on and what the right treatment should be.
If you want your child examined for teeth grinding, or if your child needs any other dental care, call 703-483-9933 or book an appointment online with Oasis Pediatric Dental Care & Orthodontics today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Tips to Prepare Your Child With Special Needs for the Dentist
When your child has special needs, getting them to the dentist may present a few challenges. Here are a few tips to help your special needs child feel safe and comfortable at their next dental appointment.
Is My Child Too Young for Invisalign®?
If your child needs orthodontic treatment, there are several options available. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign®, and whether it’s a good choice for your child.
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth: Is it a Dental Emergency?
Baby teeth are temporary, so does it matter when a baby tooth is knocked out? Here’s what you need to know about when a knocked-out baby tooth requires dental treatment, and if it’s a dental emergency.
5 Unexpected Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants can be a valuable tool in protecting your children’s teeth from cavities. Here’s what you need to know about how they work, and the benefits of investing in sealants for your children.
Bruxism in Children: What to Look for and How to Treat It
Many children grind their teeth while they sleep, which is also known as bruxism. Bruxism can cause a number of symptoms and potentially cause damage to your child’s teeth. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms and treatment options.