Teeth Grinding in Children

Many children grind their teeth with a loud, grating sound while asleep.

Tooth grinding (or bruxism) is very common, particularly in toddlers and preschoolers. In most children, it goes away by 6 years, but some continue to grind their teeth into adolescence and even adulthood.

Tooth grinding doesn’t mean that your child is having a nightmare or reliving a frustrating event from the daytime. Some causes of tooth grinding include pain (for instance, from an ear infection or teething) and improper alignment of the teeth.

Although stress and anxiety can also increase tooth grinding, there is no connection between tooth grinding and problems of behavior or personality. Since it usually goes away before the permanent teeth are in, in most cases it is unlikely to damage the teeth; however, if you have any concerns, check with your child’s dentist and mention it at each regular dental check-ups.

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Taking the Mystery Out of Toothbrush Storage

It’s a fact that bacteria can grow on toothbrushes after they’ve been used, especially if wet toothbrushes are kept in closed, dark places. Wet toothbrush bristles should not be covered. They should air dry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommends:

After brushing, it’s best to rinse toothbrushes with water to clean off remaining toothpaste and small pieces of food. Then the toothbrushes should be stored in an upright position to air dry. If several toothbrushes are stored in the same holder, make sure there is enough space between the toothbrushes so that they do not touch each other. Remember to label each toothbrush with the child’s name.
Do not soak toothbrushes in bleach water or other disinfecting solutions. And toothbrushes do not need to be placed in dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect them. These methods may damage the toothbrushes.

Additional Information: 

• Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants
• The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes (CDC.gov)

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Brush Up on Oral Health Newsletter (Copyright © 2012 The National Center on Health)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Oral Health Challenges for Children with Disabilities

Some children with disabilities have challenges that affect their oral health. These challenges may include:

• Children with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, may not have the motor skills needed to use a toothbrush safely or to sit still in a dental chair during dental visits.
• Children with intellectual disabilities may not know how to brush their teeth, protect their teeth from injury, or cooperate with dental office staff while getting oral health care.
• Children with communication disorders, such as delayed speech and language development, may not be able to tell their parents that their mouth hurts or they have a toothache.
• Children who get frequent medical care, such as having many doctor visits or hospital stays, may be afraid of the dental office and may not cooperate during visits.
• Children who take medicines with added sugars or that cause dry mouth are at high risk for tooth decay. Sugar is added to some medicines to make them taste better. Other medicines used to treat cerebral palsy, seizures, and depression can cause dry mouth by lowering the amount of saliva in the mouth. Saliva plays an important role in preventing tooth decay. Medicines given to children with medical diseases or disorders, such as asthma or allergies, can also cause dry mouth.
• Children on special diets may be at high risk for developing tooth decay. Foods that are soft or high in starch (for example, potatoes or corn) stick to children’s teeth and give caries-causing bacteria in the mouth more time to cause tooth decay.

Additional Information:

• Continuing Education: Practical Oral Health Care for People with Developmental Disabilities (NIH.gov)

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Brush Up on Oral Health Newsletter (Copyright © 2013 The National Center on Health)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.