Do Children Grind Their Teeth?by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 27 Jun 2007 04:13 PM Teeth grinding isn't just an adult problem! As much as a third of all children grind their teeth at certain points in their lives. When do children grind their teeth? Most grinding happens at two points in development: when the baby teeth first emerge and when the permanent (adult) teeth come in. The majority of children will stop grinding their teeth once the baby teeth and adult teeth have come in more fully. Just like adults, children tend to grind their teeth during sleep, rather than when awake. And just like adults, children can experience jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD. If your child complains of tooth sensitivity or tooth pain -- or if you notice that the teeth look worn -- you should call your dentist. You can ask your dentist to monitor your child's teeth if you find that he or she is a grinder -- even if your child doesn't complain of discomfort. Most pre-school age children don't need dental repair as a result of tooth grinding -- even if baby teeth are worn down. Older children who have their adult teeth may need a mouth guard to protect their teeth during the night. What causes teeth grinding in children?
The same jaw-relaxing exercises adults use can help children who grind their teeth too! Make sure your children don't get too much caffeine, especially before bed. Relaxation exercises and facial massage can help jaw muscles stay loose. Try to cut back on gum chewing, and don't let your child chew on hard, non-food items like pens and pencils. One other thing to try: drinking water. Dehydration may be linked with teeth grinding, so if your child is getting plenty of water, that may help solve the problem. Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevanthealth tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags bruxism, teeth, teeth grinding, tooth grinding Discuss this article
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