If you have noticed that your child grinds his teeth while he is sleeping, it is very possible that you suffer from a disorder called bruxism. It is a more common disorder than you can imagine, affecting a quarter of society. At first there is no need to worry, since bruxism usually disappears the moment the child has permanent teeth.
In the following article we will tell you more about bruxism and what consequences it can have in regard to the oral health of the child.
What is bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder that affects the muscles of the mouth and for which there is an excessive contraction of them, causing a loud grinding noise. Bruxism can cause pain in the head, jaw, or ear. There are two kinds or types of bruxism:
- Known as centric, which consists of clenching the teeth harder than normal. It can occur both in the day and at night.
- The eccentric causes grinding of the teeth and it usually occurs at night.
It should be noted that bruxism is common and normal while teeth are forming. As a general rule, This disorder usually disappears after the baby's permanent dentition.
Common reasons for bruxism
Bruxism can be due to physical or psychological causes.
- In the event that it is due to psychological reasons, bruxism appears due to excess stress in the child's life or due to a significant state of anxiety.
- The causes can also be physical, such as the appearance of new teeth or their poor position. All this means that they can grind their teeth while the child is sleeping.
How to treat bruxism
As we have already commented above, in the vast majority of cases, bruxism usually goes away on its own. The treatment is only valid in the event that it does not disappear and causes severe wear on the teeth or severe pain in them.
If the child is too young, simply place a plastic plate in the upper area and thus prevent the teeth from suffering severe wear. If over the years, bruxism does not disappear, it would be necessary to start orthodontic or orthopedic treatment.
If it turns out that bruxism is caused by psychological causes, the advisable thing would be to use different measures of relaxation in the child to reduce stress or anxiety levels as much as possible. In the case of physical reasons, it is recommended to start a treatment based on physiotherapy that helps to relax the muscles of the mouth.
Ultimately, do not worry excessively if your child grinds his teeth while sleeping. Parents should be attentive to how such a disorder evolves in case things get worse. To mitigate this bruxism, it is advisable to follow a series of relaxation routines that help the child arrive calmly at bedtime.