Kids will be kids. And kids sometimes do strange things, like grinding their teeth. In fact, teeth grinding (otherwise known as bruxism), is quite common in children and most prevalent during sleep. But the condition can lead to a wide range of dental problems that would need to be addressed.
At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, our professional team is committed to pediatric oral health, and wants to play an active role helping your child maintain a healthy set of teeth at every developmental stage.
There are many factors that can lead children to bruxism including jaw misalignment, stress, and traumatic brain injury. It can also be a side effect of certain medications. Warning signs that your child’s bruxism is becoming a real problem is if he or she starts complaining of frequent headaches, ear and jaw pain, and unusual tooth sensitivity. You may see an excessive wear pattern on your child’s teeth or even chipped teeth.
Most cases of grinding stop by the age of thirteen. However, we will continually monitor its effect on your child’s teeth provide the necessary treatment depending on the cause of the grinding. For example, if your child’s teeth are badly misaligned, we may make certain corrective steps such as altering the biting surface of teeth with crowns. In cases where young teeth are sustaining significant damage, a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended to stop the teeth from grinding. If the condition seems to be exacerbated by stress, your child may benefit from relaxation classes, professional therapy, or special exercises.
Committed to your child’s oral health:
At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, we offer the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care for your child’s dental needs. For more information about the services we provide, give us a call today.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
May 20, 2020
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