Adults aren’t the only ones who grind their teeth habitually either while awake or during sleep. The problem affects some children and teenagers as well. Parents will want to consult with a Children’s Dentist in Mankato MN if they realize their child is doing this. A dentist with a practice such as North Mankato Family Dentistry will examine the youngster’s teeth, gums, mouth, and throat, looking for signs of problems. Visit our website to learn more about this particular clinic.
About Habitual Teeth Grinding in Children
Medically known as bruxism, chronic teeth grinding involves clenching the upper and lower teeth together and then moving the jaw sideways, back and forth. Up to 33 percent of children have this problem at some point, reports WebMD. Often, they stop on their own once most or all of their adult teeth have come in.
Breathing Issues
If bruxism continues or starts for the first time after all the permanent teeth have appeared, a Children’s Dentist in Mankato MN can offer possible solutions. Parents should determine whether their child has any breathing problems during sleep, as that be connected with bruxism. A stuffy nose due to allergies may be the culprit. Some children have enlarged tonsils that don’t hurt but obstruct easy breathing to a certain extent. In addition, up to 10 percent of children have sleep apnea.
Psychological Stress Factors
If trouble with breathing is not an issue, parents must consider whether the child is under any sort of chronic psychological stress. That’s a common reason for adults grinding their teeth, and it can be true of kids as well. The grinding might have started after the youngster was told that the family would be moving to another town, for example.
Making sure the child is completely relaxed at bedtime can help. Taking a bath or reading a book in bed are relaxing activities. Keeping kids away from the TV, computer and phone screens at least 30 minutes before going to sleep also may help them wind down. It’s important to resolve bruxism once the permanent teeth have grown in because habitual grinding wears those teeth down.
