Bothersome Bruxism

When you put your child to sleep you might expect to hear a soft sigh or maybe a quiet buzz of a movie they fell asleep to, but one thing that parents do not want to hear is the sound of their child's teeth grinding together. Teeth grinding or jaw clenching is known as Bruxism, and approximately three out of every ten children will grind or clench during their childhood years according to a Chicago Orthodontist. While many children grow out of this habit with age, it can cause damage to the tooth enamel, chipped teeth, and can carry on into adulthood causing even greater problems.

Some children grind during the day when they are angry, stressed, or depressed, however, the majority of the time it occurs during sleep. Bruxism can leave your child waking up with earaches, headaches, and a sore jaw. Many parents do not notice their child even grinds their teeth because much of the grinding is done when the child is away in another room, out of the parents presence. A Chicago Orthodontist says that staying attentive can give you great insight to learn if your child has Bruxism. Listen while they sleep, if you hear loud noises like rocks rubbing each other, that is a good sign that your child is grinding their teeth . Other ways you can detect Bruxism is to take note when your child says he or she has a headache or sore jaw when they wake up. If they are complaining about these things on a regular basis, it is a good idea to see an orthodontist in Chicago to check out their teeth and determine if any action is required to protect your child's smile. Another common complaint of children with Bruxism is pain when chewing; after clenching or grinding all night the muscles in the mouth are sore and it can hurt to eat.

While most children outgrow Bruxism, it is important to monitor your child's habit and schedule regular visits with a Chicago Pediatric Dentist. Dentistry4Children can help prevent damage to your child's teeth by administering a retainer that is much like the guard that a football player might wear during a game. While a Chicago Orthodontist can help reduce the effects of Bruxism, sometimes there are other things a parent can due to reduce it from the start. Parents can work on reducing their child's stress before bedtime. By making them feel calm, relaxed and at ease, you child's grinding may also decrease. If the Bruxism is in fact caused by stress, it is important to note that the grinding will not go away until the stress also goes away.

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