Do you worry about your child’s smile because they tend to grind their teeth? If so, you’re not alone. Many parents cringe at the sound made when their children grind their little chompers together. Our dentist, Dr. Neal Smith, would like to tell you all about teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism, so you can know more about the habit and more about your child’s smile.
Many children suffer from bruxism, which is another name for teeth grinding. This is because they either have a tooth erupting through the gums (the grinding helps relieve pressure), feel very stressed (teeth grinding is a natural reaction to stress), suffer from inner ear pain, or have the need to “pop” their ears because of a change in elevation. If your child has baby teeth, there’s no need to worry. The grinding shouldn’t severely damage the teeth, but if it does, the teeth will be replaced anyway. If your child has permanent teeth, it’s best to seek help from your dentist and work on helping your child stop the habit.
Some ways you can help reduce the teeth grinding is by giving them a teething toy or something to help them break their teeth through the gums. You can also try to relieve the stress they feel by playing soothing music or eliminating the cause of the stress. You can also talk to their pediatric doctor about an ear infection or other ear problems. If you need help reducing the grinding, feel free to talk to us.
To learn more about children and bruxism in Yakima, Washington, please reach out to Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry today at 509-248-2973. Our dental team will be thrilled to help you in any way we can, even if it’s just by answering your questions or giving you additional information. We look forward to hearing from you!
