Why Children Grind Teeth?

Excerpts from Webmd.com

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. 

Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times -- when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth. 

Consult us if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain. You can reach out to us at 080 2520 0226

Why Children Grind Teeth?

Excerpts from Webmd.com

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. 

Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times -- when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth. 

Consult us if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain. You can reach out to us at 080 2520 0226

Bruxism or 'Teeth Grinding' Prevents Dental Growth

Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

Source- http://www.flormanortho.com/

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw when you wake up is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and excessive wear on your teeth.

Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?

In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.

Article excerpts from http://www.webmd.com/

7 Essential Tips in Baby Tooth Care

Most of us love the first glimpse of baby teeth when they appear. That's when the toothless smile, gets brighter and better. 

Although accompanied by irritation, grinding, crying and sometimes fever, baby teeth when start to appear are a milestone that all of us look forward to.

As parents we often know what to do when it comes to baby's teeth, what paste to use, how to brush, etc. However, it can be possible to miss some things, and before we know, something might have been overlooked, causing a little black spot to appear on your child's teeth that doesn't seem to be going away.

These 5 tips, are therefore compiled to give you a reference guide on what is important to keep track of, what are the absolute must-do's to ensure that your oversight or negligence doesn't cause harm to your child's teeth and often avoidable procedures at the hands of the pediatric dentist.

1. Begin even before baby teeth erupt - Even though baby teeth may not have appeared, your baby is drinking milk, and this leaves residues which should not be allowed to remain on the teeth or in the mouth.

Wiping the gums after every feed, with a soft, wet washcloth or gauze wrapped around your finger, or thimble-like rubber finger glove, will remove the excess food stuck on the teeth.

2. Care for them immediately when they appear - Once teeth erupt, take care of them immediately. Many parents think baby teeth are unimportant, since they will drop off eventually. However, these first teeth actually create the space for permanent teeth to grow and also help babies chew food and learn to articulate or talk. If left uncared for, they decay, causing gum infection or gingivitis, and mess up the space between teeth.

3. Avoid Cavities - Cavities in baby's teeth show up as discoloration or yellowing and pitting or dents in the teeth. Often, putting baby to bed with a milk bottle in the mouth is the main cause of this. 

Leaving an infant with a milk bottle in the mouth for long periods causes food collection and must be avoided. Comfort feeding or bottle chewing should also be stopped.

4. Finish meals with water, either drink or gargling - Since infants usually eat pureed food or drink milk, this can be washed off with a few sips of water. However, a good soft bristled toothbrush must be used as soon as possible so that the baby can get used to using it and it becomes a habit. A good brush will only be handy when the baby starts feeding on solids at or around 18 months. Sticky or sugary foods must be cleaned immediately with a soft brush or cloth in small babies and not left overnight.

5. Toothpaste must be used at 2 years of age - A drop sized amount of non-fluoride toothpaste must be used when toddlers begin eating semi-solid or solid food. Fluoride toothpastes must not be used until the child is much older, at 4 years or above, so they understand spitting out the paste rather than swallowing it.

Dental X-Rays and Their Importance in Correct Diagnosis

X-rays, also known as radiographs, are an essential part of any dental care treatment plan. They are diagnostic, but they can also be preventative, by helping a dentist diagnose potential oral care issues in a patient’s mouth before they become a major problem. An x-ray is a type of energy that passes through soft tissues and is absorbed by dense tissue. Teeth and bone are very dense, so they absorb X-rays, while X-rays pass more easily through gums and cheeks.

X-rays are divided into two main categories, intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral is an X-ray that is taken inside the mouth. An extraoral X-ray is taken outside of the mouth.

Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of radiograph taken in dentistry. They give a high level of detail of the tooth, bone and supporting tissues of the mouth. These X-rays allow dentists to:

• Find cavities
• Look at the tooth roots
• Check the health of the bony area around the tooth
• Determine if periodontal disease is an oral care issue
• See the status of developing teeth
• Otherwise, monitor good tooth health through prevention

X-rays, also called radiographs, are a valuable diagnostic tool. X-rays help the dentist to,

• See how your child's teeth are erupting (coming into the mouth)
• See the number, size and position of teeth that are still inside the gums
• Find out whether there are missing teeth or extra teeth
• Monitor mouth and teeth injuries
• Determine whether the teeth or mouth are infected
• Prepare for braces and other orthodontic treatment
• Detect problems that can't be seen with a visual exam
• Identify bone diseases
• Diagnose cavities in between teeth that are touching each other

There is no standard timetable for when your child's mouth should be X-rayed. The need varies with the child's development and dental health. If your child has had many cavities and fillings or has a high risk of tooth decay, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends X-rays every six months. This can help to detect cavities developing between teeth. Whether X-rays are needed also depends on how well your child brushes and flosses, and your child's diet.

Other children may not need X-rays taken as often. If X-rays aren't taken when they are needed, problems can become worse.

Content Excerpts from http://www.colgate.com/