By Dana Smith
Talking about bruxism, your family dentist will tell you it means the grinding or clenching of teeth, especially during sleep. Kids especially do this at night while for adults; they can do it anytime of the day or night. Over the last few years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of adults who exhibit symptoms of teeth clenching or grinding. This is mainly attributed to the increasing rise in job insecurity. Among the statistics are mostly those who work in the banking and information technology sectors. Also not left out are those who are always on business trips, especially if they work in companies that have huge competition as they are always under pressure.
Symptoms of tooth grinding
A visit to your dentist in will also broaden your knowledge of the symptoms of teeth grinding which includes worn tooth enamel, jaw pains, chipped teeth, ear, cheek and overall facial pains and severe headache. In more severe cases, it could result in loss of teeth and tooth fracture, facial distortions and hearing impediment.
Teeth grinding in kids
There are lots of reasons why kids grind or clench their teeth. It could be due to improper alignment of the upper and lower teeth. It could also be as a means of easing pains, especially those associated with teething. Stress is also known to be a causative agent in teeth grinding in kids. Some kids, when they are stressed about school work or troubles on the home front, they resort to teeth grinding or clenching to ease the stress. Finally, certain medical conditions like cerebral palsy are also known to lead to teeth grinding and clenching in kids.
Treatment for teeth grinding in kids
The major treatment option is regular visits to your family dentist in order to keep the habit in check.
Parental observation is also advised as it helps in minimizing how often the kid engages in the act of teeth grinding.
Use of special night guard from a dentist is also a form of treatment for teeth grinding. It helps in reduction or elimination of the jaw and face sore resulting from incessant teeth grinding.
Relaxation. If the kid takes time to relax prior to bedtime by taking a warm bath, listening to cool music or doing both, there are minimal chances of teeth grinding and clenching taking place.
It would also interest you to know that by the time the child loses his or her baby teeth, the teeth grinding habit would stop.
Treatment for tooth grinding in adults
The number one treatment in this case is eliminating the issues leading to the habit.
The use of bite guard issued by a dentist is also a treatment option for adults.
Relaxing muscles by applying warm and wet cloth to the side of the face where the clenching or grinding usually takes place.
Minimizing the level of stress by listening to calming music, taking a warm bath and having walks.
In the case of damaged teeth, the use of prosthetic crown becomes an option.
– This post is created by Dana Smith. She is currently working for family dentist Anchorage. In this post, she is sharing the symptoms and treatment of teeth grinding to various age groups.