Teeth Grinding also known as Bruxism is a condition that causes teeth to grind repeatedly. If you see or hear your baby grinding her teeth, she may have this condition. Teeth grinding in children is a very common issue, especially at night. Teeth grinding is most common in children between three and six years of age.

Babies tend to grind their teeth to relieve some of the pressure they may be feeling on their sore and tender areas in their mouth. Some kids do it in their early years of school or as soon as they get stressed out.

Bruxism causes

Even though doctors are still unsure why children grind their teeth, they are possible factors to consider.

One of the causes of Bruxism is calcium and magnesium deficiency. Milk, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables should be included in your child’s diet.

The following are possible causes:

• Anxiety

• A permanent eruption of teeth (teething)

• Pinworms

• Misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion)

• Irritation of the inner ear

• Antidepressant consumption

• Poorly Aligned Teeth

• Teeth grinding can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, intestinal parasites, or hormonal imbalances.

A dentist can help correct the poor alignment of the teeth. You may also find that some children grind their teeth in their sleep causing their gums to bleed. Observe your child while he or she sleeping to see if they sleep with their mouth open. The most common with these kids is that they don’t breathe through the nose but use their mouths to breathe.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

• Difficulty chewing

• Chipped teeth

• Jaw ache

• Ear pain

• A sore jaw

• An earache

• A lingering headache in the forehead

• Grinding sounds from teeth

• There are warning signs

• Fracture of the jaw

• Cavities becoming worse

• Wear and tear on the enamel

• Jaw pain

How to Stop a Baby from Grinding Their Teeth

During the early stages of getting their teeth, babies may begin grinding their teeth while they sleep or are awake. The emergence of each tooth causes new sensations and discomforts for your baby.

It is fairly common for babies to clench their teeth. It is usually nothing more than the child exploring the world around them. About 20 to 30 percent of babies do this. In most cases, babies are able to outgrow teeth grinding on their own. Possibly, you can reduce this problem by incorporating a more relaxing and stress-free bedtime routine.

How to Permanently Stop Teeth Grinding

Most children stop grinding their teeth when their permanent teeth appear. If the teeth grinding is being caused by anxiety or stress, in many cases it will disappear once the source of anxiety/stress is addressed. Anxiety or emotional problems may cause children to grind their teeth.

You can help your kids relax before they go to sleep by creating a calming bedtime routine that involves a nice bath (lavender can be added to the bath if the child is not allergic to lavender) or a relaxing story, and/or some soothing music. If this problem is not resolved during childhood, it may disrupt their quality of life as adults.

Treatment for Teeth Grinding

Pacifiers can be useful for preventing tooth grinding. If your child has permanent teeth, however, a dentist may prescribe a night guard. However, most dentists would not recommend a nightguard, since it is typically a part of normal development.

The following can also help in Treating Bruxism

• It would be important to sit down and talk to your child if they have anxiety

• In case he has difficulty making new friends, you may help organize play dates

• Seeing a child psychologist may be beneficial as well.

• You can reduce anxiety by performing basic yoga exercises.

• Warm compresses can help relieve pain from teeth grinding when applied to the cheek

• After consulting your pediatrician, you may be able to offer your child a pain reliever if she is grinding her teeth because of an ear infection.

Stress and Teeth Grinding at Night

According to this study up to 50% of children can develop sleep Bruxism. Children may gnash their teeth or tighten their jaw in their sleep. Children who usually breathe through the mouth often have a lot of physiological problems and stress in their bodies because they cannot sleep well at night, especially when their mouths are open.

In order to sleep well, lips should be sealed and you should be breathing through your nose. Kids who usually sleep with their mouths open have some kind of stress. Breathing through the nose helps our bodies rest and reduces stress levels. If teeth grinding persists for many years, it could cause severe nerve damage.

How to Stop Toddlers from Grinding Teeth at Night

Children and adults alike can experience poor sleep due to mastication chewing while sleeping. Grinding teeth at night may cause problems with attention and other behavioral problems throughout the day.

If you suspect that your child is grinding his or her teeth, you can contact a pediatric dentist to develop a plan. This will help everyone get a good night’s sleep

Bright colors in the bedroom might have something to do with teeth grinding. Be aware of the reasons for hyperactivity as well. It is important to conduct the test as soon as possible.

Gum Recession

Causes of Gum Recession

In addition to many other causes of gum recession, brushing your teeth too hard can contribute to gum recession. Applying excessive pressure on your teeth begins to erode the enamel, and if the damage becomes too severe, the enamel may not be repairable. As a result, you may experience increased tooth sensitivity and be more likely to get cavities.

Teeth Grinding and Gum Receding

One of the causes of clenching or grinding your teeth is gum recession. It is common for people to clench or gnash their teeth while they sleep. Stress can lead to teeth grinding, and since we are all under various levels of stress, it’s common for us to grind our teeth.

Gum recession is a contributing factor to clenching or grinding teeth. when you clench or grind your teeth, you put pressure on the gum tissue and the bone under your gum tissue which further puts pressure on the blood vessels, making them less able to receive blood and thus they become more fragile and brittle.

Ways to Minimize the Damage from Clenching or Grinding Teeth

 Usually, an orthodontist makes a mouthguard, night guard, or bite plate. Fitting over the biting surface of the upper teeth, it won’t stop you from biting or grinding. Instead, it will distribute the force evenly, and therefore, minimize the damage from clenching or grinding the teeth.

Is Gum Recession Serious?

Clenching and grinding of the teeth can contribute to gum recession, especially if the gum tissue is thin.

In order to minimize the damaging effects of teeth grinding or clenching, mouth guards have relatively flat plastic that allows teeth to slide across them.

Alternatively, the teeth can be reshaped in such a way that the forces are reduced. Sometimes, some of the triggers that cause clenching or grinding can also be eliminated. As a result of good respiratory and dental health, the chances of developing future health problems decreases

Final Thought

Remember to take care of your children’s mouths by avoiding or stopping excessive teeth grinding as it can lead to tooth damage or tooth loss. Good health begins in the mouth.

In most cases, kids outgrow this. However, if you’re worried, talk to your dentist so they can determine if anything needs to be done.

Children are recommended to have their first dental checkup around their first birthday. In addition, this would be a good time to ask any questions you may have and learn how to appropriately take care of your child’s teeth.