My seven yr old grindes her teeth... she has done this ever since i can remember but it is getting so bad it wakes her. I have beed to the dentist and have booked her into see the specialist as the dentist has told me.... grinding her teeth can do nerve damage and kill her teeth.... she says her teeth hurt.. has anyone got any suggestions???? thanks
2007-03-17 01:57:12 · 10 answers · asked by jenni b 1 in Health ➔ Dental
See about getting her a mouth guard. Here's a website that offers additional suggestions. Hope it helps.http://www.ineedmotivation.com/stopteethgrinding.htm
2007-03-17 02:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by hmmm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT GET A BITE APPLIANCE MADE FOR A YOUNG CHILD SIMPLY TO STOP THE GRINDING!!!
I can not state emphatically enough that you should never, ever consider getting (or making) an appliance simply 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.
Now - at age seven - there might be reason for an orthodontic consultation and if an appliance is recommended, go ahead and get it made. It will NOT be a "simple" night guard like so many above me have incorrectly suggested.
Her teeth might hurt for any number of reasons. Often, as the baby tooth roots dissolve, the tooth will wiggle and the tippy ends of the roots will actually be poking down inside the gums because of the wiggling. That's just the way it goes. She might have a cavity (or more) that is causing pain. She might have a bite problem, such as a crossbite, that is causing excessive pressure to be placed on one or more teeth, because they do not meet properly. Any and all of these condtions would require a visit to the dentist for diagnosis and treatment, so that's my suggestion.
You said that you have seen the dentist, so that's good. Since you were referred to a specialist, I am going to _guess_ that the specialist is an orthodontist, which tells me that there actually is a bite problem. Go with the flow and do what they tell you after seeing your child. Do not go to a drug store or anywhere else and get an over-the-counter mouthguard as this is a bad idea in your case.
2007-03-17 04:34:19 · answer #2 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm surprised your dentist didn't get you guys night guard for her....they can be expensive but WORK WONDERS! I have suffered from teeth grinding since I was young...very young, younger than your daughter and YES, it does an unbelievable amount of damage! Night guards are like the teeth protectors that most athletes were but they are not as big and bulky. Also, you can have only one made for her bottom set of teeth so it is not cumbersome. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your daughter.
2007-03-17 02:02:02 · answer #3 · answered by MaHaa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 4 year old does this too. So do I. I am going to the dentist in a few weeks and I am going to ask. For me they made a mouth guard and I have to wear it evey night. Then I grind the guard and not my teeth. Will a kid wear one? I don't know.
2007-03-17 02:01:35 · answer #4 · answered by mikal6059 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my brother used to grind like loopy whilst he replaced into youthful, confident it damages the tooth and time beyond regulation the tooth replace into very very small which will make it demanding to floss. the perfect ingredient is to circulate on your dentist or orthodontist, and ask if he could make a grinding gaurd/mildew on your son. it is like a molded tray on your son to positioned on whilst he sleeps, and it stops harm of your sons tooth and the sound of his grinding is cut back down by alot. frequently people grind their tooth because of the fact they are under pressure, irritating, or in basic terms irritating. You mentioned he's around 7, so it is in all probability extra suitable capability and a inspired dream he's having. it is especially a subconscious habit. maximum persons are not grinders for existence in spite of the shown fact that, so no might desire to tension too plenty.
2016-10-02 06:48:00 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to ask your dentist for a splint. It is a device that your child will wear to bed and is similar to a mouthguard. This will mean that she will grind on this and not her teeth.
2007-03-17 03:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best choice in this case is to make an orthodontic apliance that prevent the bad happits like clenching or grinding of the teeth that is done by going to the orthodontist
2007-03-17 02:14:44 · answer #7 · answered by mizo_super 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my mom has that probelm. in her case it is due to stress and bad psychological state in general. i am not saying ur 7-year-old is suffering from stress anxiety (i mean, what kind of stress can a child that age have?) but perhaps in her case, the problem lies in her emotional world. has she been through any intense situations like parent seperation, moving house, losing a relative or friend she was very attached to, or anything like that? either way, i dont think it is a dentist that u r in need of, but of a good child psychologist / therapist. it wont hurt. trust me.....
best of luck
2007-03-17 02:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by bukroot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best thing to do is see what the specialists say or ask a doctor.
2007-03-17 02:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by Elyse h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been told by one doc that it can actually be a sign of worms..........sorry sounds yuk
2007-03-17 02:00:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋