Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
With our specialized pediatric bruxism treatments, find gentle, effective relief for your child's teeth grinding in Salem, Lynn, and Lynnfield, MA.
Teeth Grinding in Infants, Toddlers, and Children
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a medical condition common in infants, toddlers, and young children. Most kids outgrow bruxism but regular dental visits and parental support can help reduce the adverse effects of your child’s teeth grinding in the meantime.
Our pediatric dental team is skilled in identifying the signs of bruxism early, from wear on the teeth to discomfort and jaw pain, ensuring your child receives the care they need. We offer a range of treatments tailored to young patients, including custom mouth/night guards that protect against grinding, stress reduction techniques, and monitoring of tooth development and alignment.
Schedule with Broad Smiles today in Lynn, Salem, or Lynnfield!
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What are common teeth grinding (bruxism) symptoms?
Recognizing these symptoms early can lead to timely intervention and treatment, mitigating the long-term effects of bruxism.
Common symptoms of teeth grinding (bruxism) include:
- Wear and Tear: Noticeable wearing down, flattening, fracturing, or chipping of the teeth.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity in teeth due to enamel erosion.
- Jaw Pain or Tenderness: Soreness or pain in the jaw muscles, especially upon waking up.
- Headaches: Frequent tension-type headaches, often starting in the temples.
- Earache: Pain or discomfort in the ear area.
- Facial Pain: Aching pain in the face or around the sinus area.
- Tight or Locked Jaw: Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully.
- Sleep Disturbances: Disrupted sleep for your child.
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Why do babies grind their teeth?
When babies get their first tooth, teeth grinding can start as early as six months old. This behavior usually continues into the toddler years and mainly occurs while they sleep. There are several reasons why babies and toddlers grind their teeth, including curiosity, stress response, pain relief, or due to certain medical conditions. Grinding their teeth allows babies and toddlers to explore their new teeth by feeling, hearing, and understanding their function. When infants and toddlers are stressed or unhappy, they may grind their teeth as a coping mechanism. Similarly, they may grind their teeth to relieve pain caused by teething or toothaches. In some cases, certain medical conditions or medications may cause children to grind their teeth uncontrollably.
If you notice your child is grinding their teeth—contact any of our three locations; we’re here to help!
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How can I get my infant or toddler to stop grinding their teeth?
The sound of grinding teeth is undoubtedly something parents don’t want to hear. Depending on your child’s age, natural remedies or preventative measures are available.
Babies often grind their teeth when new teeth are coming in to relieve the pain. You can provide your child with some remedies to help alleviate their pain, such as soft rubber teethers that conform to their mouth, cold rubber teething toys, and silicone teething necklaces.
Toddlers often grind their teeth to relieve stress and are likelier to do so while sleeping. You can help your child by establishing a calming bedtime routine that reduces stress. These routines include reading a book together, dimming the lights before bedtime, using a white noise machine, implementing a screen time curfew, and using calming scents such as lavender in your child’s room.
It is important to note that treatment for bruxism is usually not required until children have lost their baby teeth. If your child has their first tooth or is starting to get baby teeth, taking them for their first dental visit is recommended.
A Kid-Friendly Dental Experience
We specialize in providing first-class dental care to children of all ages. What’s more, we are parents too! Therefore, we understand the busy lives of families and have created an experience to make your dental visits simpler. Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today.
