Have you heard the unmistakable sounds of sawing coming from your child’s room during the night? Have you watched your child’s jaw as it moves back and forth, grinding teeth against each other? If you have, you may be worried about the effects on your child’s teeth. After all, teeth grinding, or bruxism, is often treated with a sleep guard in adults. The sleep guard protects the teeth from further wear and repositions the jaw to protect the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. So if you have seen and heard the evidence of bruxism in your child, it’s a no brainer that you should seek dental assistance, right? The answer may surprise you!

Dr. Deborha Staten discusses the frequency of bruxism in children.

Bruxism in Children and Its Treatment

A recent study shows that 38 percent of children grind their teeth. If you found that statistic shocking, get ready for what’s coming next: these children typically don’t require dental assistance. Bruxism often begins at the age of three or four and continues to around age six. During this time, it is only necessary to take you child to visit your Las Vegas children’s dentist, Dr. Staten, if your child experiences pain or if his or her teeth show signs of wear.

However, if the habit continues into the teenage years or adulthood, dental assistance becomes necessary. Bruxism can wear down teeth and eventually crack or chip them. The pressure on the TMJ can also lead to a TMJ disorder, which can cause frequent headaches, migraines, and earaches.

Schedule a Visit with Your Las Vegas Children’s Dentist – Dr. Deborha Staten

Regular dental visits play an important role in your child’s oral health. During these visits, a hygienist can remove plaque or tartar that your child has missed. If it has been more than six months since your child’s last dental visit, contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Staten.