Is Your Child Suffering from Bruxism?

Bruxism, more commonly known as grinding of the teeth, is quite common in teenagers and children and can actually wear down the enamel of the teeth over time and cause pain in the jaw and neck. Here are some helpful tips to help treat this problem.

Having your child relax before bedtime can often help. So try taking a warm bath or shower, listening to a few minutes of soothing music, or reading a book.

Ensure your child is not using electronic gadgets at least two hours before bedtime. Overstimulation can lead to poor quality sleep and ultimately, an increase in bruxism.

It is recommended that children in pre-school get between 11 to 13 hours of nightly sleep. Make sure the child/teen is getting enough sleep.

For bruxism that’s caused by stress, ask about what’s upsetting your child and find a way to help.

If the situation is not getting better, take your child to a dentist to find out if a mouth guard can help with the problem.