• Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
Emergency Line 212-267-0029
HealthFlex
×
  • Meet the Doctor
  • Services
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth cleaning and polishing
    • Tooth Colored Fillings and Sealants
    • Prevention
    • Digital X-rays
    • Teeth maintenance
    • Tooth Extractions
    • Laser Dentistry
  • Children’s Dental Topics
    • How to Avoid Fear of the Dentist
    • Tips For Infant Oral Health
    • Care of Your Child’s Teeth
    • Cavity Prevention
    • Digital X-rays
    • Diet & Dental Health
    • Eruption and Exfoliation Schedule
    • Mouth Guards/Protectors
    • Pacifiers
    • Perinatal & Infant Oral Health
    • Sippy Cups
    • Sports Drinks & Sodas
    • Thumb Sucking
    • Tooth Grinding
  • Pediatric Dental Emergencies
    • Toothache
    • Knocked-Out Teeth
    • Cut or Bite on Cheek, Lip or Tongue
    • Maxillary Frenum Tear
    • Severe Blow to the Head
    • Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw
  • Online Booking

Tooth Grinding in Children

Tooth Grinding in Children
October 7, 2017ArticlesKids

Most of us know about tooth grinding in adults. It occurs at night more often than during the daytime and can result in headaches, jaw pain, tooth sensitivity and even chipped teeth. What you might not know is that 15-33% of children suffer from bruxism, the dental term for tooth grinding. More prevalent in toddlers than school-aged children, bruxism usually disappears during adolescence.

What Causes Bruxism?

According to the American Dental Association, the following contribute to tooth grinding:

  • Stress
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Abnormal Bite/Jaw Misalignment
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Some ADHD and psychiatric medications

What Are the Signs of Bruxism?

Some parents can hear their child’s grinding. More often, however, the following “clues” lead parents to the problem:

  • Complaints about headache, earache, and/or jaw pain, especially in the morning
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages
  • Injury to teeth or gums, (most often discovered by the pediatric dentist)
  • Rhythmic clenching of the teeth, often in an effort to relieve jaw pain

Tooth Grinding Damages Teeth

When I see excessive wear on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of a child’s molars, I suspect he or she may be bruxing. This is reinforced by the parent or child’s confirmation of headaches, earaches and/or jaw pain, especially upon waking.

Bruxism Treatment in our NYC Pediatric Dental Office

As mentioned above, most children will stop bruxing on or near their 13th birthday. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry supports intervention for bruxism when the habit is of sufficient persistence, duration, or intensity to damage the permanent teeth or cause other complications that may affect the child’s well being. Our pediatric dentist will assess these factors and let you know if intervention is needed. Intervention may include patient education, behavioral therapy, orthodontic intervention, medication, or a mouth guard.

If you have questions or concerns about bruxism or grinding teeth, please contact us at iSmile Kids pediatric dental group in Lower Manhattan.

Add Comment Cancel


Recent Posts

  • How much Sugar is hiding in your food?
  • What’s in Your Toothpaste?
  • Most Sports-Related Dental Injuries Are Preventable and Treatable
  • Secondhand Smoke and Gum Disease in Children
  • Holiday Dental Emergencies

Recent Comments

    Categories

    • Articles
    • Kids
    • Teens

    Request Appointment

      Your Name (required)

      Your Email (required)

      Reason for visit

      Your Message

      Latest Articles

      Archives

      • August 2021
      • July 2018
      • June 2018
      • May 2018
      • April 2018
      • March 2018
      • February 2018
      • January 2018
      • December 2017
      • November 2017
      • October 2017
      • September 2017
      • August 2017
      • July 2017
      • June 2017
      • May 2017
      • April 2017
      • March 2017
      • February 2017
      • December 2016
      • November 2016
      • October 2016
      • September 2016
      • August 2016
      • July 2016
      • June 2016
      • May 2016
      • April 2016
      • March 2016
      • February 2016
      • January 2016
      • December 2015
      • November 2015
      • October 2015
      • September 2015
      • August 2015
      • July 2015
      • June 2015
      • May 2015
      • April 2015
      • March 2015
      • February 2015
      • January 2015
      • December 2014
      • November 2014
      • October 2014
      • September 2014
      • August 2014
      • July 2014

      ismileKids

      Welcome to iSmile Kids Pediatric Dentistry. We have a passion to provide optimal oral health care for infants, children and adolescents!

      • 212-267-0029
      • mail@iSmileKids.com
      • Trinity Building 111 Broadway, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10006

      Quick Links

      • Meet the Doctor
      • Services
      • Contact
      • Request an Appointment

      Latest Articles

      • How much Sugar is hiding in your food? Aug 24

        All of my NYC pediatric dental patients’ parents know that...

      • What’s in Your Toothpaste? Aug 24

        Have you seen the credit card commercials with the line,...

      Copyright ©2021 all rights reserved
      Developed by OBT Creative