Teeth Grinding-(Bruxism)
Happy “Tooth-Day”!
Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this fine day!
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Have you ever been alarmed by sounds your child(ren) make(s) while sleeping? Should you be concerned that your child is grinding their teeth during the day and/or at night? These are on-goings that you should pay close attention to just to make sure that there’s not more going on. It is common for children to grind their teeth, especially during sleep. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is most common when baby teeth begin to emerge and permanent teeth come in. While it generally goes away, there are a few considerations you should be aware of.
Experts are not 100% sure what causes grinding, but professionals point fingers at a number of possible reasons. Tension or anxiety, pain (from earaches or teething for example), or malocclusion (a dental term for when the teeth don’t line up just right) are just a few. Some also suggest that breathing problems-from a stuffy nose or allergies may play a role. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc can influence a child to grind their teeth. Bruxism may be caused by minor changes in inner ear pressure, similar to what’s experienced on an airplane. Your child may also just be getting used to the sensation of having teeth in their mouth. It’s common among babies who are getting their first teeth, beginning around 5 or 6 months of age. It’s also common among children who are starting to get their permanent teeth, at around 6 years of age. About 38% of children grind their teeth. The average age of starting the habit is around 3 1/2 years, & the average of stopping is 6- though, of course, people of all ages grind their teeth. Your child is a bit more likely to grind his/her teeth if they drool or talk in their sleep. In most cases, teeth grinding sounds worse than it is.
The reason that I am mentioning all of these possible reasons for grinding, is so that you can mention it to your dentist & doctor so that they can take a closer look at your child’s overall health. You should express additional concerns if:
- your child is having trouble sleeping or is waking frequently throughout the night
- jaw pain or soreness
- headaches
- tooth sensitivity or pain not associated with other dental issues
The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. The good news is that most children outgrow bruxism. However, being aware of the overall health & development of your child is the most important message I would like to convey today. No matter what is going on, early intervention is always best approach.
Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!
I look forward to chatting with you all next week!
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Your Friend,
Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)
