Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a nocturnal and unconscious tooth grinding that can happen in adults and children. As a parent, you may be concerned if your child has the same problem and must be looking for a solution. The first indication of bruxism is when your child creates a noise of teeth grinding in their sleep. 

The good news is that there are ways to stop teeth grinding in children. The treatment plan usually depends on the underlying cause, which can vary from child to child. It can be due to emotional issues or due to their genes. If you suspect your child has bruxism, visit a Dacula, GA dentist for children today. 

Signs and symptoms of bruxism in children  

If your children have one or more of these symptoms, they may be suffering from bruxism.

• Earache or headaches
• Flattened or chipped teeth
• Sleep disturbances
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Loud tooth-grinding noises.
• Pain while opening or closing the jaw

Tips to stop your child from grinding their teeth 

• The condition can be self-correcting. 

Although not all, some cases of teeth grinding in children are self-correcting. They are only present during the child’s childhood and start going away as they approach adolescence. However, you can try the other listed tips if the habit persists. 

• Do not allow them to drink caffeine. 

Teeth grinding is often a result of hyperactivity. Therefore, it is recommended that parents avoid feeding caffeine to their kids. Common caffeinated drinks children consume include tea, coffee, sodas, chocolate drinks or shakes, etc. Chocolate bars also contain large amounts of caffeine. Explain to your child why these foods and drinks are bad for them. 

• Talk to your dentist about a night guard. 

Teeth grinding involves the contact of the upper and lower teeth, which results in enamel erosion. Your dentist can give your child a custom night guard to prevent this. A night or mouth guard is made of plastic or acrylic that your child can wear while sleeping to prevent contact between the upper and lower sets of teeth. 

• Try relaxation exercises. 

Sometimes bruxism in children is a result of stress and anxiety. It can emerge from academic stress, a test, or something else they may not be telling you. You can try relaxation exercises to calm their anxiety and make them feel relaxed. You can find many meditation and stretching routines online or on YouTube. 

Bruxism in children should never be ignored, or else it might progress into worse problems. Visit a pediatric dentist today.