Bruxism Bites!

Bruxism Bites!

Do you ever find your child clenching his or her teeth or waking up with a sore jaw? He or she may have bruxism—a condition that causes people to unconsciously grind or clench their teeth.

Bruxism affects about 20% of children under the age of 11 years, many of whom do not even realize they are doing it. Many people do the bulk of their grinding at night, when they are fast asleep. If your child shares a room with a sibling or attends a lot of sleepovers or sleep-away camp in the summer, somebody may have mentioned that your child gnashed his or her teeth together while asleep. But most people with bruxism do not realize they are grinding or clenching their teeth until the dentist notices certain problems that show up years after the condition first appears.

Most children don’t have any serious side effects from bruxism. But over time, grinding can wear down the enamel of their teeth and, in severe cases, damage or even fracture them. And long before this type of problem occurs, your child might experience annoying issues like headaches, sensitive teeth, jaw pain or even earaches (caused by pain in the jaw that feels like it is coming from the ear). Bruxism can interrupt your child’s sleep, too, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, grumpiness and hyperactivity or distraction during the day.

So what can you do about something you are not even aware your child is doing? First of all, talk to Dr. Jared at KiDDS Dental. He can examine your child’s mouth for signs of bruxism and figure out how severely he or she has been grinding or clenching. He might prescribe a night guard—a type of mouthguard similar to the kind worn when playing hockey or other contact sports, but much thinner and more form-fitting to the mouth—or splints that will keep the teeth from gnashing as your child sleeps.

Stress and anxiety can cause bruxism, too, so if your child is feeling worried or anxious about something, have your child talk to someone who can help find healthy ways to release stress. Even simple things, such as taking a warm bath before bed or learning some breathing techniques, can make a difference and keep the tension out of your child’s life—and out of his or her jaw! 

If you have any further questions regarding bruxism, give us a call at (509)-891-7070.