Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.Sunday, May 07, 2006
Pediatric Grinding
Q: My three year old daughter grinds her teeth while sleeping. Is there
anything we can do to stop it?
A: Parents are concerned about nocturnal bruxism (grinding of teeth) in their children. There are several sleep symptoms that can occur in children of this age:
- nocturnal bruxism (tooth grinding)
- habitual snoring
- bed wetting
- restless sleeping (thrashing, hyperactivity during sleep)
- frequent ear infections (PE tubes)
Things to consider:
- airway (allergy that disrupts airway, ear infection or cold, oversized adenoids / tonsils)
- inner ear pressure (oversized adenoids / tonsils, grinding is to equalize pressure)
- psychological (stressors as a contributor)
Possible treatment options:
- most cases need no treatment - problem is usually outgrown by age 9-12
- mouth guard - might hinder growth in a young child - used in older children and adults
- pediatric ENT medical opinion about airway - some of these young children benefit from tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. The more symptoms, the more likely your child should get an opinion from a pediatric ENT doctor.
Should you have any more questions, or to have your child fitted in our office for a mouthguard, please do not hesitate to call our offices at 888.790.0309.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell, and Dr. Elizabeth O'Sullivan-Winslow
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