TEETH GRINDING IN CHILDREN (BRUXISM)
Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times — when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children outgrow this habit after this .
Causes of teeth grinding in kids are…
Teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety which can be due to excessive screen time in small kids.
It often occurs during sleep and can also be caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth.
Other causes are medical conditions such as nutritional deficiencies like calcium and magnesium, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders.
It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches. Severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss,fracturing or loosening of teeth.
Tips to help a child stop teeth grinding are…
1. Decrease your child’s stress, especially just before bed.Try breathing exercises and mindful relaxation.
2.Decrease screen time and preferably avoid 2hrs before sleep time.
3, Try massage over jaw below ears and stretching exercises to relax the jaw muscles.
4. Make sure your child’s diet includes plenty of water. Dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding.
5. Ask your dentist to monitor your child’s teeth if they are a grinder.
STAY SAFE HAPPY AND HEALTHY!
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