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What to Do About Children Grinding Their Teeth

Is Your Child Grinding Their Teeth?

You may have noticed your child grinding their teeth. This can happen at any time, but it is most
common at night. Your child may not even realize they are doing it. Some common signs that
your child is grinding is if they have tooth sensitivity, have pain when chewing, have pain in
their jaw, or if you hear them grinding when they are sleeping. It’s important to have your child’s dentist exam their teeth when you notice your child has clenching or grinding habits.

Why Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

There are many reasons why children may grind their teeth. Depending on the age of your child,
it could be due to:

  1. Pain Caused by Teething or Earache: As your baby’s teeth come in, they may experience some discomfort. This can lead to grinding as they try to soothe the pain. Teething can also cause earaches, which can further contribute to the problem.
  2. Misalignment of Teeth or jaw bones: If your child’s teeth are not properly aligned, they may grind them to try and correct the problem. This is especially common if their top and bottom teeth do not meet correctly.
  3. Dehydration: If your child does not drink enough water, they may be more likely to grind their teeth. This is because dehydration can cause the mouth to feel dry and irritated.
  4. Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions can lead to teeth grinding. For instance, cerebral palsy has been linked to teeth grinding. This is due to the involuntary muscle movements associated with the condition.

What You Can Do When Your Child Grinds Their Teeth

There are many things you can do to help your child when they grind their teeth. These include:

  1. Give your Child a Teething Toy: If biting down on something hard helps to relieve the pain of teething, a teething toy for very young children can do wonders. The pressure on the gums can help to reduce the urge to grind. For instance, a frozen wet washcloth can be soothing. Make sure the toy is big enough so your child won’t choke on it.
  2. Encourage your Child to Drink More Water: Make sure your child is getting enough water throughout the day. This will help keep their mouth hydrated and reduce the urge to grind. This is also a great way to keep your child healthy overall.
  3. Encourage Your Child to Relax Before Bedtime: A warm bath or a bedtime story can help your child to relax before sleep. This may reduce the amount of grinding that occurs during the night. A calming nighttime routine can also help your child to get a good night’s sleep overall.
  4. Most Importantly, Take Your Child to the Dentist: If you are concerned about your child’s teeth grinding, arrange a visit with the dentist. They can properly assess the situation. This is especially important if the grinding is causing damage to the teeth.

Teeth grinding is a common problem in children. There are many things you can do to help your child when they grind their teeth. Taking the necessary steps to protect your child’s teeth from further damage is essential.

Contact Us Today

If your child is experiencing teeth grinding or clenching, contact Sprout Kids Dentistry today for treatment. Dr. Anderson will be happy to inspect your child’s mouth an jaw and create a personalized treatment plan to help ease teeth grinding.

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Why Gum Health is Important For Children

September is national gum care month, meaning it’s the perfect time to bring up the topic of
keeping your children’s gums clean, specifically, not just making sure they don’t have broccoli
stuck in their teeth.

Why are the Gums Important?

Your gums are the soft tissues in the mouth that hold your teeth in place your entire life. In
addition, they protect the highly sensitive bundles of nerves at the roots of the teeth and seal off
that area from disease and decay-causing bacteria that can infect it. Both your gums and your
(adult) teeth are nearly permanent fixtures in your body, meaning they don’t regenerate like a
fractured bone might over time. That’s why it’s important to keep your gums healthy, because it
helps preserve this important tissue for longer.

Good Gum Health Practices

Despite our best efforts, nearly half of adult Americans have some degree of gingivitis or gum
disease. This is the early stage of gum decay that can lead to symptoms like sensitive teeth,
bleeding gums, and bad breath due to the buildup of bacteria. Helping your young ones develop
healthy gum habits now can help protect them from the development of gum disease and
periodontal disease in the future. The main thing you can do as a parent to encourage good gum health is to schedule routine dental visits for your children. This is because, no matter how good your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, or flossing habits are, inevitably bacteria will find its way into the little nooks and crannies that you miss. 

This can become tartar that can’t be removed without the help of your dentist or hygienist.
Another habit to pick up at an early age is a gentle technique to clean the gum line without irritating it. The gums are sensitive themselves, so scrubbing them to try to remove plaque buildup may end up
doing more harm than good.

Signs of Gum Disease

As a parent, you’re always paying attention to your kids’ hygiene and health, so you’re often one
of the first people to pick up on symptoms when something seems off. If you notice any of the
following signs of gum disease, regardless of when your last appointment was, it might be a
good idea to schedule another exam to see if there’s anything to worry about. 

Signs of gum disease include:

  • Tooth pain
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
  • Profuse bleeding gums when flossing
  • Swollen or red gums
  • Visibly receding gums

Pediatric Gum Care in Quincy, MA

Our pediatric dental office keeps kids’ experiences at the forefront of everything we do, from
regular cleanings to more substantial procedures. We help your kids feel relaxed and safe as
we use age-appropriate language to educate them on their oral health. To learn more about
what to expect from your first visit, or how we can make this experience as smooth as possible,
browse our website or give our office a call today. We can’t wait to see your loved ones at
Sprout.

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Back To School Is The Best Time For a Dental Checkup

Whether it fills you with dread or elation, the back-to-school season is a unique time to start fresh with new outfits, school supplies, and daily schedules after a summer of out-of-the-ordinary routines. Although it’s probably not your kid’s first idea of how to make this time of year fun, it’s a great time to stop into Sprout Kids Dentistry while you still have a little free time on your hands. We’ll make sure your family’s in good dental health so you can weather the transition back to school without a looming dentist appointment in your future.

Why Back-To-School Checkups are Important

Dental checkups at any time of the year are important when they’re consistent, but doing it before school starts has a few specific benefits.

First, a professional cleaning is easier to maintain on a daily basis for optimal oral health as well as the brightest, best-looking smile. Your kids can start the year beaming and make the most out of their brushing for the crucial first few weeks of first impressions for fresh breath and fewer cavities.

Next, ensuring their dental health is in good condition now saves time and money later. Whether we correct a small problem or help prevent them from appearing at all, this prevents the need for a school-hour appointment that leads to an absence or a worsening condition that causes pain later on.

Finally, Dr. Anderson checks for more than just their oral health during a dental checkup. Did you know that dentists are able to detect illnesses and conditions that are caused by conditions beyond the teeth and mouth? While such a detection is rare, oral health is correlated with overall health, and conditions left untreated in the mouth can affect other parts of the body with time. Prevent this from becoming your reality with a quick and painless checkup at Sprout.

Get Back-To-School Healthy With Your First Visit

The team at Sprout Kids Dentistry and Dr. Anderson are always happy to welcome new patients and new smiles to our pediatric dentist office. Learn more about what to expect on your first visit as well as during regular cleanings by browsing our website or calling our Quincy office location today. Any other questions? Drop us a line by filling out our online contact form.

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