Clenching/Grinding Teeth

If you notice that your toddler is grinding their teeth, you may be wondering if this behavior is normal. The sound can cause concern, as it usually indicates an underlying dental issue or stress. It’s important to nip the problem in the bud by finding out the root cause of your child’s teeth clenching. Read on to find out more about how and why toddlers clench or grind their teeth and when you should take action for your little one.

Know More about Clenching/Grinding Teeth

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is very common in children. It happens when the child presses their lower and upper jaws against each other or moves their teeth against one another. Grinding usually happens during sleep, which is involuntary, meaning your child is not even aware that he or she is doing it.

The severity of grinding varies widely. Some will experience minor episodes, but others will experience hundreds of occurrences throughout the night. The risk of damage to the teeth will increase as the tooth grinding becomes more severe and the occurrences get more frequent. Prolonged episodes of tooth grinding will cause severe damage to the teeth resulting in them wearing down.

In most cases, you only realize that your child is grinding their teeth when you hear the sound. Children can also grind their teeth when awake. In such situations, you should redirect the child’s attention from the habit. Generally, the habit of tooth grinding ends when children reach the age of six. However, if your child continues to grind his or her teeth, you should definitely speak to a dentist to prevent long-term damage to their teeth. A qualified dentist can help you figure out what is causing your child to grind their teeth so that you can address the root cause.

If not treated properly, jaw clenching and grinding your teeth can lead to additional problems if left unaddressed. Keep an eye out for frequent headaches, signs of trauma to the teeth or gums, or tooth sensitivity to cold or hot food.

How Can We Help Manage Clenching/Grinding Teeth

At The Teledentists, we have treatment options that are designed to reduce clenching and grinding. Our dentist may begin by having your child wear a mouthguard at night. The mouth guard is made to fit their teeth and is similar to the ones that are used by athletes in contact sports. Sometimes, grinding teeth can be a result of emotional problems. We at The Teledentists can help you come up with a plan to address the root cause head on.

Why Choose The Teledentists’ Dental Services for Your Pediatric Oral Health Concerns?

Our goal at The Teledentist is to provide excellent service for people who require dental care. With the help of our professional team, we use a variety of strategies to meet the needs of every client. Our service is unrivaled and we hope to continue to provide the best teledentistry service in the industry.