Teeth Grinding

[Steffiy]

My niece is 3 years old and grinds her teeth in her sleep. Is there anything we can do and is it hurting her or damaging her teeth?

Thanks

Stef

[Ouisch]

YES!  Bruxism (teeth grinding) can be very dangerous!  Your daughter is slowly wearing away the enamel on her teeth.  If she grinds hard enough, she can end up with TMJ.  You can buy inexpensive mouth guards to wear at night from the drugstore (chemist) usually, but the best bet is a visit to the dentist.  Sometimes they can provide a mild muscle relaxant to take before bedtime, which often prevents grinding, or they can make her a custom mouth guard.

[woofgang]

Just to say I was going to make exactly the same post as Ouisch. Catch this soon as then you can deal with it before her permanent teeth come through

[Steffiy]

Cheers thanks for the information :)

[smudge]

The two previous posts may well be correct, but my brother also ground his teeth from a very early age. However, he is now 52, with beautiful teeth & no problems.

 

Having said that, I would still take your little niece to the dentist for advice though.

[Hecker]

Teeth Grinding:Here is some more information for you.

Bruxism is observed in 5-30% of children. Frequency increases during childhood, with a peak from 7-10 years of age and decreasing frequency after that. It is common in children and adults.

Teeth grinding can result in chronic dental pain, dental fractures, wearing down of dental enamel, thermal hypersensitivity of the teeth, hypermobility of the teeth, injury to the periodontium, and pulpitis. Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and recurrent headaches may also occur.

Having just looked that up for you in my clinical notes, I found out that the main treatment after psychologists is the prescription of SSRI's, so you might be wary about taking her to the Doctor. If you want more info get in touch and ask me.

[TEAK36]

I have ground my teeth for as long as I can remember, and believe me, it can do all sorts of damage.Over the past 10 years (I am in my mid thirties) many of my teeth have literally cumbled away, and I have spent a fortune at the dentists.I tried the gumshield several years ago but found it difficult to sleep with it in.

[splodge24]

I'm 23 and have just come back from a visit to the dentist. I grind my teeth when i sleep and have been keeping my boyfriend awake at night. I have just been told that i will need fillings etc to correct the damage i have already caused. I have worn off a layer of coating off my teeth and i suffer with headaches and sensitive teeth. as a result i have to have a mouth guard to prevent furth damage. So in answer to the question, i would take her to the dentist to maybe get a guard for her teeth at night before she does any damage like i have done.