Preventive dentistry
Most grinding is minor. Some of it is wearing the teeth down.
Sometimes children may have bruxism, or teeth grinding, during sleep. This is commonly seen during growth periods or times of stress, and is often minor.
Credentialed by
The Condition
When grinding stops being harmless.
What bruxism is
Sometimes children or adults may have bruxism, or teeth grinding, during sleep. This is commonly seen during growth periods or times of stress, and is often minor and may cause little or no issue. In some cases, however, excessive grinding during sleep can lead to chipping or wearing of the teeth or even discomfort or pain in the jaw.
What a night guard does
When this occurs, your dentist may advise the use of a custom nightguard to protect your teeth from further damage. A nightguard is a custom-made oral appliance worn over the teeth while sleeping. This prevents the teeth from grinding against one another overnight, which not only protects the teeth from immediate damage, but can also serve to help break the unconscious habit of bruxism and protect your teeth from this kind of damage in the future.
The Signs
What a parent usually notices first.
The sound
Heard from another room, most often in the first hours of sleep. This on its own is common and often needs nothing.
Flattened teeth
Chipping or wearing of the teeth, which is what we look for at the six-month exam and what changes the answer.
Jaw pain
Discomfort or pain in the jaw, especially in the morning. Worth telling us about even if nothing else has changed.
It can serve to help break the unconscious habit of bruxism, and protect the teeth from this kind of damage in the future.
The Invitation
Mention it at the next visit.
If your child grinds their teeth and you have started to see wear, tell us. Contact Mason Park Dental for Kids in Katy, TX.
- Hours
- Mon and Wed 9am to 6pm
Tue and Thu 8am to 5pm
Fri to Sun Closed
