Teeth grinding (or bruxism, to use the condition's actual term) is quite a destructive habit. Your dental enamel, which is the sturdy, highly-mineralized substance that coats your teeth, is incredibly strong, but that strength is tested when your teeth grind together, causing a dental enamel showdown in your mouth. A child's dental enamel (on their baby teeth) is thinner than the enamel on adult teeth. This means that continuing bruxism can quickly begin to erode a child's teeth. So how do you manage teeth grinding in children?
Nocturnal
Bruxism is divided into two main categories depending on what time of the day it happens. Nocturnal bruxism can be a difficult habit to break since the affected person is totally unaware that it's happening, with the only clue often being your child complaining of a strained jaw in the morning. This is best tackled with a nightguard. It's a type of mouthguard, and your child will only need one on their upper or lower dental arch. Nightguards are lightweight and comfortable (since they're intended to be worn during sleep), and will prevent the upper and lower sets of teeth from coming into contact with each other, thereby protecting your child's precious dental enamel.
Awake
It might seem as though daytime (or awake) bruxism will be easier to manage. The grinding motion is almost intuitive, and your child may not even realize that they're doing it. As their parent, you may notice it before your child does. A simple reminder goes a long way, and this just involves pointing out to your child that they're grinding their teeth, and that they need to stop. This should eventually help to modify your child's behavior, though it may not banish the habit altogether. Given the risk that bruxism poses to dental enamel, your child will benefit from some extra protection.
Sealants
Nobody expects your child to wear a nightguard during the day, so your local pediatric dental clinic should have an alternative option that follows the same basic principle. A dental sealant is a thin, pliable type of latex that can be applied to children's teeth. It's focused on the biting surfaces of your child's molars and premolars, as this is where enamel erosion caused by bruxism will be most prominent. It gives the teeth another layer of protective coverage from erosion, allowing them to stay strong in the face of ongoing bruxism, no matter what time of the day or night. Sealants will slowly wear away but can be reapplied as needed.
No matter if they're baby teeth or adult teeth, human teeth don't always win the battle against bruxism. If your child's bruxism should continue into adulthood, talk to their dentist about more intensive treatment options, but for the time being, be sure that your child's dental enamel has some extra protection.
For more information, contact a local pediatric dental clinic.
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