It’s hard to record precise results from the studies that have been done on childhood bruxism because of the fact that it often goes undetected. Bruxism is more simply defined as tooth grinding. It is officially classified as a sleep disorder because the action goes on while the child is asleep. Episodes only last a few seconds at a time but they can occur several times per hour, disturbing the natural sleep sequence.
Younger children may start to grind or clench their jaw as a response to the pain of teething. A misalignment in the bite may also be a cause. The habit is often outgrown as the child gets older, usually by the age of 6, but if it continues beyond that point be sure to alert your pediatric dentist. As long as bruxism only affects the primary teeth it is not usually a serious concern.
Some indications point to psychological factors being the cause of bruxism. It may seem extraordinary to think of children having so much to worry about that their anxiety would present in a physical way but kids are people too. They can be affected by life changes as well as adults are. A change of environment for instance, can bring feelings of loss and anxiety about going to a different school and meeting new people. Your pediatric dentist may suggest various ways to help your child feel more relaxed before bedtime.
The associates of Kaelin Pediatric Dentistry in Parker want all their patients to feel like a part of the family as soon as they walk through the door. Visit the website, www.kids-dental.com to learn more about the practice.