My 6 y/o daughter grinds her teeth when she sleeps. I called her dentist about it a few months ago and was told it is normal for kids to grind their teeth. Well, recently it has gotten worse. It sounds like she is crunching on ice! I plan on calling the dentist again, but I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with this and knows what the remedy is?
TIA
Thank you to everyone who respondedA I made an appointment for her to see the dentist next week. I clench my teeth at night and I have a night guard, but I didn't know if they would give night guards to children. The calcium idea is interesting, I'm going to research that one.
yep, she'll need a mouth guard. The result of teeth grinding can be really bad headaches and recessed gums. I've experienced both!
they make these rubberylike mouth guards that u boil so they get soft n then she would bite it so it would mold to her teeth and she would wear it while she sleeps
Usually (not always) grinding teeth during sleep is from one of two things -- stress or the need for calicum. My son did this and my grandson and calcium solved it with both. As with my sister too. There is a chewable for children, be sure you get quality with other minerals to balance it -- ask someone in the know at a quality store. Of course, that's if you try it.
Hope it works out well for her.
I have always ground my teeth. The soft mouth guards can be helpful. They are fairly inexpensive, so can be easily replaced when her bite changes (teeth falling out and permanent teeth coming in). I can't use the soft guard because it allows me to bite down harder and exacerbates my TMJ (extremely sore jaw!!). Definitely talk to the dentist. There are also hard mouth guards, but I would guess that's not recommended for children due to their bites changing, and they are expensive. I have yet to discover an actual remedy to stop the grinding though, sorry!
My teeth are cracked and broke because of teethe grinding. No one ever did anything about it when I was younger and now I am paying for it with poor teeth. And of course I don't have any insurance right now or any way to afford dental care so my teeth are not so great right now.
Updated
My teeth are cracked and broke because of teethe grinding. No one ever did anything about it when I was younger and now I am paying for it with poor teeth. And of course I don't have any insurance right now or any way to afford dental care so my teeth are not so great right now.
My daughter is 11 and she has always been grinding her teeth at night for as far as I can remember. She recently got fitted for a retainer because her orthodontist said her jaw was not properly aligned and she had a large overbite. She said the teeth grinding is because the jaw or teeth is trying to correct itself while they sleep.
I don't know if grinding teeth is always a symptom of something more serious, but I would get a second opinion to be safe. If she did need a retainer they might want to wait til she's older and baby teeth have fallen out, not sure.
I just turned 50. I've done this most of my life. None of my crowns are from decay... It's because my grinding caused my teeth to crack.
There are times it is not as bad. Right now, it's bad. I wear a night guard at ($450.) none covered by insurance . It works wonders but some days, like today, I still can hardly move my jaw and have pain.
Go see a dentist who can at least start you in a night guard. I've had a night guard for 20+ yrs but you have to have them readjusted as you grow.
Nightguards help a lot. I think people who are suspectible grind from early on. I always have.
Good luck
Hi, Mom:
Grinding of teeth is frequent, it is not normal.
There are mouth guards for night use.
Talk with your child to see what type of anxieties she
experiences during the day at school, or even her
experiences at home.
Good luck.
D.
