Did you know that 38 percent of children grind their teeth? If you’ve even seen your child grinding his or her teeth, you may have found the sawing noise and the sight of the clenched jaw moving back and forth to be disconcerting. After all, how could it not be bad for your child’s teeth? Surely, dental assistance is necessary, right? Before you schedule a dental visit, you might like to know that dental treatment typically isn’t necessary for treating teeth grinding, or bruxism, in children. Here to discuss the matter further is your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith.
Bruxism in Children
Although nearly 40 percent of children grind their teeth, treatment for bruxism in children is rare. Kids typically outgrow the habit of grinding their teeth, a habit that begins around age three, by age six without significant damage to their teeth. So as disturbing as you may find your child’s bruxism, you may not need to call your Grand Prairie children’s dentist, Dr. Quinn, just yet.
Treatment for Bruxism
There are some cases, however, when dental treatment is necessary. If your child complains about pain in his or her jaw and teeth that does not subside, seek dental assistance. Bruxism can wear down teeth and cause problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull, although such problems are rare in children. Should your child complain of these symptoms, or if you notice bruxism to be a habit that continues well past the age of six, dental treatment could become necessary. Dr. Smith may prescribe a sleep guard that protects teeth from wear and repositions the jaw to relieve stress on the TMJ.
Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Children’s Dentist
Regular dental visits are vital to your child’s oral health. If your child hasn’t had a cleaning in the past six months, schedule a visit with your Grand Prairie children’s dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. Our 75052 dental office welcomes patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.
