How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 26 May 2017

Bruxism, otherwise known as tooth grinding, is something that a lot of children suffer from; it typically occurs during sleep, but you may also notice your child grinding while they are awake. It's a habit that kids often grown out of, but you should really try to put a stop to grinding quickly, and here are just five reasons why.

1. Tooth Wear

As you might already have guessed, one of the most serious issues caused by tooth grinding is a wearing down of the surface enamel. Once that enamel has been eroded, it cannot grow back, leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay. Baby teeth are just as vulnerable as adult teeth, and you obviously don't want your child to have to go through unnecessary fillings, or even extractions, due to problems caused by excessive tooth wear, especially since not breaking the habit early can mean that permanent teeth will start being ground against each other as soon as they come through.

2. Misalignment

Not many people understand that one of the roles of baby teeth is to act as placeholders for permanent teeth. Essentially, having a good set of baby teeth means that your adult teeth can follow them into the correct spaces, resulting in an even smile. Thanks to the pressure caused by grinding, baby teeth are more likely to move out of alignment. As a result, the permanent teeth can also come in misaligned, and that can prompt the need for expensive orthodontic work in the future.  

3. Jaw Ache

People commonly focus on the teeth alone when thinking about the problems caused by childhood bruxism, but the muscles and bone of the jaw can also be damaged. With regular ongoing stress, the muscles can become sore and the lower jaw can become worn where it connects to the upper jaw.  

4. Sleep Disruption

Young children need to sleep for a lot longer than adults. Bruxism often occurs at night, and it's common for children who suffer from the condition to miss out on some of their sleep due to the irritation that grinding causes. They'll then be tired throughout their day at school.

5. Underlying Stress

Finally, consider the fact that bruxism is often caused by stress. If your child is grinding their teeth, it could be because something in their personal life is making them stressed or depressed. If you notice signs of bruxism, it's worth exploring whether these issues are playing their part in the behaviour instead of simply assuming that the habit will pass. 

For more information, contact a local dentist.