‘Teeth
grinding’ in children is usually prevalent as a habit or
oral condition termed Bruxism. This habit involves
tightly clenching the upper and lower teeth in a tight
grip and moving the teeth in a forward and backward
grinding motion. Teeth grinding in little children can
be a cause of worry for a new mother, but the habit is
often a temporary condition that a child out grows after
about six years of age. Rarely does teeth grinding in
children persist right through adulthood (although it is
not unheard of).
What
causes teeth grinding in
children?
As with
adults, causes of teeth grinding are usually difficult
to ascertain with accuracy. The reason for this is that
the causal factors of teeth grinding in children are
many. Very often there are several factors that are at
play simultaneously and therefore looking for a single
cause is at times misleading.
Some of
the more common causes that are known to trigger teeth
grinding in children can be listed as
follows:
- Teething
problems of childhood and the discomfort associated
with it
- Abnormal
growth of teeth (especially of milk
teeth)
- Mal
alignment of teeth that does not enable correct
closure of the upper and lower set of
teeth
- Abdominal
problems
- Anxiety
factors in children (arising from home environment or
school life)
- Disturbed
sleep due to other health
complications
- Hyperactivity
during day time behavior can cause teeth grinding
during sleep times at night
Usually a
lot of teeth alignment factors get corrected through the
natural growing up process and therefore teeth grinding
symptoms die a natural death in children, without
causing any damage.
Damage
caused by teeth grinding in
children
There are
however cases of intense teeth grinding in children that
have resulted in damage to teeth. When teeth grinding
habits persists for a long duration after the permanent
teeth appear, the damage to children’s teeth can include
wearing of teeth enamel, as well as headaches, facial
pain, ear pain or jaw problems.
Severe
teeth grinding habits require proper examination and
diagnosis through a specialist, in order to eliminate a
more serious nature of Bruxism. A dentist might suggest
the use of a night guard if the damage to teeth is
imminent or severe. However such devices are not the
solution to teeth grinding. Anxiety induced teeth
grinding in children can be dealt with by initiating
relaxation methods especially prior to sleep
times.
