2007-01-26 18:08:34 · 12 answers · asked by number7ministries1977 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Thank you Dr. Matt! Number7, please do not listen to people who say to get a mouth guard or put your child on sedatives.
DO NOT GET A BITE APPLIANCE MADE FOR A YOUNG CHILD!!!
I can not state emphatically enough that you should never, ever consider getting (or making) an appliance to stop tooth grinding in a young child. This would stop proper growth and development of the jaw where the appliance is worn.
It is my opinion that baby teeth are designed to be worn away as the jaws grow and develop. This allows for different growth rates and it allows for the accommodation of the permanent teeth with their much more pronounced cusp forms when they start to come in.
You may wish to ask your dentist to check for underlying problems, but 99% of the time - if not more - this is just part of being a child.
2007-01-27 00:42:39 · answer #1 · answered by Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very common that children grind their teeth at night. In 25 years I have never seen enough wearing down to be of concern. There is absolutely no indication for treatment (night guards) or medication. There is simply no REASON to intervene nor any way that you COULD stop this. It will slow and stop as he gets his adult teeth in.
My personal guess is that it’s part of the brain programming itself to the bumps and grooves of the teeth as they erupt.
My advice is that you get YOURSELF earplugs or an anxiolytic medicine (joking!).
2007-01-26 19:05:25 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Matt W (Australia) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the dentist and have all his teeth extracted No just kiddin there is no cure for this malady we all grind our teeth at one time or another it does no harm
2007-01-26 19:39:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he is doing this in his sleep, I would recommend calling your dentist and getting him a guard to protect his teeth at night. This will also stop the noise of the grinding.
2007-01-26 18:15:25 · answer #4 · answered by explorerkade 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Unless there is an underlying cause for the grinding -- you really can't stop it. Sedation to stop grinding teeth is just wrong to me.
However... you need to get him to the dentist to get a moth guard. I have numerous problems, broken teeth broken crowns ect. from my refusal to wear one. Get him in the habit early.
2007-01-26 18:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by lifereallysux 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
you don't have to see a dentist to get a mouth guard, but i would highly reccomend you telling him about your sons problem of grinding, a custom tray from the dentist can run as high as $900.00 and insurance won't usually cover it! Have the dentist make sure before you decide to buy a mouthguard , that he isnt experencing popping in his jaw, this is called temporomandibular joint disease or (TMJ)
please refre to the link below....
I got mine at Walgreens,(dental Health asile) for $26.00 the size you need depends on your sons heright, which would most likely be "small" ----with boiling and cold water to set them, you mold them yourself in under 3 minutes! after I wash the out in warm water, , I soak mine in Bubblegum flavored anti cavity rinse 30 minutes before I go to bed, so the guard doesnt taste "funny" overnight.
left untreated your son will start breaking down the enamle on his incisors, and will mostlikely start doing damage to the back molers, as in my case.
and again.....what ever you do, make sure you tell your dentist of your plans! good luck!
2007-01-26 18:59:36 · answer #6 · answered by divineshadow 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Have him chew sugarless gum or suck on a mint. He needs something to occupy his mouth. Also, I was told that grinding your teeth can be caused by a thyroid problem. Have him checked by a doctor to be on the safe side.
2007-01-26 18:19:44 · answer #7 · answered by mama3 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
this is called bruxism, and there are no medicines to stop it, and it is not advisable to give a child sedatives for something so harmless. it only irritates or scares the people sleeping in the same room. in case his teeth are getting damaged, rubber teeth guard may be used. get a check up done by dentist.
it will stop when he grows old, it may continue till his thirties.
stress increases this, so stress management is must.
2007-01-26 18:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ask the dentist, they can fit him for a nightguard whereas he can wear it to bed, this will prevent him from any damage to his teeth. There is nothing available to make them stop, as I am well past 8 and have been a teeth grinder all my life, my son is as well. I also suffered from TMJ from teeth clenching the nightguard is great and not uncomfortable.
2007-01-26 18:15:03 · answer #9 · answered by S L 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Heh, I'm 23 and I still do it. Make him aware of it when he's doing it. Maybe he can learn to stop or not do it as much.
2007-01-26 18:12:25 · answer #10 · answered by zoompity2 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋