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And the night of sleep that should be quiet, here are strange noises. And worse, the noise comes from the children’s room, or rather, it comes from the children! Analyzing well, it is noted that the sound that is heard is the teeth of your child that grind frantically and comes to the conclusion that he suffers from infantile bruxism.
Not all parents are able to reach this conclusion right from the start, as many do not even know what it is about. The sound of grinding teeth causes distress in those who listen and can cause serious damage to the teeth and the bony part of those who have it.
What is Bruxism?
Childhood bruxism is a sleep disorder characterized by the involuntary pressure of the teeth that also moves the part of the jaw. They are usually linked to anxiety attacks, stress and in some cases, difficulty closing your mouth completely.
Diagnosis
The problem affects up to 15% of children and does not have a specific age to act and can occur in boys and girls. Normally, bruxism is only verified when someone hears the noises and communicates what is happening.
Another way to diagnose is due to severe pain in the region of the face , and also those looking for a dentist who will assess the situation of the teeth.
Childhood bruxism is identified to occur during sleep , usually at night. For patients who usually grind their teeth during the day when performing their daily tasks, the problem is called briquism.
Unlike bruxism, pressing the teeth occurs in a semi-voluntary way and in most cases it is related to tics and manias.
Symptoms of Bruxism
As it is a case that not all parents are aware, after checking the sounds of teeth grinding it is common and recommended that a dentist be sought. In virtually all cases of children suffering from infantile bruxism, the teeth show signs of wear and damaged enamel.
Major Damage
In more severe cases they even cause damage to the gum tissues. Childhood bruxism can also cause teeth to soften due to strong pressure.
Severe pain in the ear and neck can also happen. Fatigue and physical tiredness right after waking up are also very common, as they are unable to have a peaceful night even if unconsciously.
Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously over time, but while bruxism works, the child may suffer from severe headaches and jaw muscle pain . Treatment is performed by a dentist and is completely individualized, as bruxism can occur for several reasons.
Treatment of Bruxism
The best treatment is one that acts directly on the reason that it is causing. In cases of extreme anxiety, the dentist will be able to prescribe relaxation methods such as natural tranquilizers and even place a warm towel next to the face so that the muscles relax during sleep.
In cases where it is noted that the teeth are suffering from wear and damage, the best method is to use an appropriate device to protect the teeth. The device is an oral plate that can be made of silicone which are soft or acrylic which are rigid, which aim to protect teeth and bone wear.
The plaques are made by molding the patient’s dental arch and should be used as long as infantile bruxism attacks occur. The treatment must be accompanied by regular visits to the dentist , who will assess the case and also the condition of the plaque used.
See also: Milk Teeth – When Do They Grow and When Do They Fall?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
