How Teeth Grinding Affects Children
It’s not unheard of when parents check on their children at
night but discover an odd noise in the process, like two rough surfaces are rubbing
together. This sound could very well be teeth grinding, also called bruxism,
which is when individuals clench their jaw and rub their teeth together. Around
one in three children grind their teeth, and they may do so for various
reasons, such as an irregular bite, stress, or a medical condition like
cerebral palsy. Cases of bruxism can resolve themselves over time, but should a
case continue, there are numerous side effects children can have on their mouth
and their overall health. To get an idea of the short and long-term effects of
teeth grinding in kids, check out our list below.
Short-Term Side Effects
The immediate side effects teeth grinding has on children are usually what signal to parents they have bruxism. If children share a bedroom with a brother or sister, the sound of teeth grinding can bother or wake the sibling during the night. In the morning, children could have pain around or in the ear or a headache because of the pressure caused by grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw.
Enamel deterioration can also make teeth more sensitive to extreme temperature foods and make chewing painful. As well, if it’s another medical condition or a medication that is causing the grinding, the child’s doctor may have to add or change prescriptions.
Long-Term Side Effects
If a bruxism case persists, there may be several long-term side effects. If children keep clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth for an extended time, there could be serious damage to the teeth—enamel can wear down, and the teeth can chip, fracture, or flatten. There’s also a chance children can develop temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which can cause further jaw pain and make it hard for children to open their mouth or chew.
While it may not be expected, bruxism can cause more than just physical pain. A study conducted for the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), which examined nearly 2,000 preschool-aged children, 43 percent of whom grinded their teeth, discovered a link between bruxism and trouble acclimating to a preschool environment or socializing with others, possibly due to bruxism interfering with sleep. Teeth grinding also has a strong link with behavioral issues, including ADHD.
The Parent’s Help
For parents who notice children grinding their teeth during the night, there are ways for them to help. The dentist could prescribe a mouth guard for wearing while children sleep to protect their teeth, and children can use fluoride toothpaste for helping to strengthen enamel and fight bad breath and cavities.
If a bruxism case is stress-related, parents can try
relaxing the child via relaxation exercises, reading a book together before
bedtime, or bringing the child to a therapist if the stress is severe. With
older children, parents can talk about what’s bothering them and then work
together on finding a solution. The dentist can also help monitor the child’s
teeth by noting if the grinding appears to be lessening or not—he or she could
even offer advice to help the child cope.
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