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What causes your kids to grind their teeth unconsciously or your partner to grind his or her teeth during the night?
(Posted on 1 April 2008)
There are a wide range of possible causes for teeth grinding (Bruxism). Elderly people often say that it is caused by "heatiness", such as after eating deep fried food, or that it is related to a person's hot-tempered behavior. Some research studies refer to it as a reflex action during sleep. Most doctors believe that emotional and psychological are important factors contributing to teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding can occur at night, at day time or both. Most teeth-grinding children do so at night, while adults are either daytime or nighttime teeth-grinders.
Teeth grinding is very common in kids, who may not be able to express their negative emotions verbally. It is also normal for teething kids to grind their teeth when they have itchy gums as new teeth are erupting. There is little to worry about if the condition only appears at night and is not bothering the child.
Teeth-grinding at day time is not common in normal children, but can happen in children who are intellectually challenged, in autistic children or in those suffering from cerebral palsy who have problems controlling their jaws.
Some grown ups begin grinding their teeth when their wisdom teeth start erupting. This can be normal if the habit is transient. In adults, teeth grinding is frequently associated with psychological problems, such as stress related to changing of jobs or critical events happening in life. Most severe cases of teeth grinding happen in those suffering from psychiatric diseases, Parkinson's disease, or those with neurological diseases with poor muscle control.
Teeth grinding may also occur in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux, a condition caused by regurgitation of stomach acid up the esophagus. That's why children and adults who love to eat irritating foods and chew gum, or those who overeat before going to bed often suffer from teeth grinding.
Whatever the age of the teeth-grinder, when the behavior is bothersome enough, it is time to make an appointment with your family physician to get to the root cause of the problem.
- Is teeth-grinding bad for health? Are there any preventive measures?
- How can I tell if I am likely to start grinding my teeth? When are cases regarded as being 'serious'?
- If I start grinding my teeth, what treatment should I seek? Are there any medicines that can help me?
- Easy ways to keep your teeth healthy
- How can I help my pre-school kids to develop good oral care habits? Are electric toothbrushes more effective in cleaning teeth than conventional ones?
Source: Quality HealthCare
Is teeth-grinding bad for health? Are there any preventive measures?
Teeth grinding can be harmful for dental health. The constant rubbing and friction between the upper and lower jaws can result in cracks on tooth surfaces. Some may chew into the mucous membrane inside the cheek, causing sores and ulcers that can take a long time to heal.
More worryingly still, continuous teeth grinding can cause overuse of the joint between the upper and lower jaws, which may cause arthritis that result in pain in the face and neck, headache and earache.
When teeth grinding is related to stress, sufferers should try to manage their emotions. At the end of the day, if steps are not taken to manage stress, negative emotion would only build up and become an accepted part of your daily life. Taking control of stressful situations is necessary in order to minimize the recurrence of the teeth grinding habit.
To avoid teeth grinding, start with tiny details in one's life. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Avoid unnecessary stress. Balance one's work life with time for leisure. Get enough sleep. Take frequent exercises. Many find yoga or taichi relaxing as well as refreshing.
Locally, stress in children is often related to academic work, family environment, and peer relationship. Parents should avoid pushing their kids too hard. Mums and Dads should also try to pay more attention to their children's emotional problems. This is especially true at times when kids face new challenges, such as leaving kindergarten and entering primary school.
How can I tell if I am likely to start grinding my teeth? When are cases regarded as being 'serious'?
People who habitually grind their teeth are often totally unaware they have developed the habit, until they are told by their dentist, family or friends. For those who tend to grind their teeth at night, it's generally the spouse or sleeping partner who is aware of the problem. At the end of the day, one should always go for regular dental checks to establish whether one has developed dental problems as a result of teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding can be regarded as "serious" when the condition results in pain caused by loosening or wearing away of the teeth or by sores in the mouth or gums. Pain in the joint between the upper and lower jaws, headaches and pain in the ear may be caused by complications of prolonged teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can also be regarded as serious when the behavior is causing social embarrassment.
The recent case of a school child who was found to suffer from sores caused by excessive teeth grinding was an excellent example. It turned out the child was extremely nervous about facing the new challenge of adapting to Primary two. The problem was only resolved after the doctor counseled the child and both parents.
Many experts believe that parents themselves are the main source of stress to children. If you are a parent, it is extremely important that you try to be considerate. Never blame your child for grinding his or her teeth. As a good Mum or Dad, you can however give your child some gentle reminders.
You could also attempt to distract your child's attention by offering appropriate objects or activities that will gradually take his or her mind off the teeth grinding habit. Last but not least, if your child is being treated for teeth grinding, try to be patient and provide gentle, step by step guidance to help your child go through the treatment process.
If I start grinding my teeth, what treatment should I seek? Are there any medicines that can help me?
Your family doctor should be able to offer you the best advice if your teeth grinding habit is caused by emotional problems. However, if teeth grinding is causing physical problems to your teeth or gums, you may also need a dental check-up. An accurate diagnosis and thorough assessment of your oral health should precede any definitive treatment.
There are many different ways to treat teeth grinding. Drug treatment is often not helpful, though muscle-relaxing drugs have been used in some countries. Wearing protective braces or mouth guards during sleep may protect your teeth if you grind your teeth at night. A simple relaxing massage just below your temple is another excellent way of preventing stress-related teeth grinding. Most importantly of all, try to identify the root cause of your teeth grinding habit, as this is often the most effective way of resolving the problem and prevent it from recurring.
When undergoing treatment for teeth grinding, try to maintain a positive attitude. Develop a healthy lifestyle. Balance your work with enough rest. Performing relaxing exercises before sleep often helps.
Easy ways to keep your teeth healthy
A sparkling smile that shows your dazzling white teeth is a sure sign of self-confidence. To protect your teeth, you need to understand the factors that can affect your oral health.
The most effective way of keeping teeth healthy is regular cleaning. Food debris trapped in the crevices of our teeth will decay rapidly, so brush your teeth after every meal. If you cannot keep up with this ritual, at least brush your teeth upon waking in the morning and before retiring to bed.
Be careful with the kind of food you eat. Chewing nuts and crushing bones are bad for your teeth. Biting on such hard surfaces would cause cracks and fractures. We all know that sugar is bad for our teeth. On the other hand, eating more Calcium and Vitamin D-rich food - fresh milk, milk products, tofu, and small fish with edible bone are essential for building stronger bones and teeth. Sunlight is another excellent source of Vitamin D.
The frequency of eating is no less important. Some people think that eating small frequent meals throughout the day helps them lose weight, but such eating habit is no good for your teeth. Food debris is more likely to get stuck in the crevices of our teeth if not cleaned thoroughly after each meal, no matter how small. The traditional three-meals-a-day eating pattern is the best way to preserve your teeth.
But what to do if you find it hard to get rid of your snacking habit? The good news is that there are many delicious, nutritious treats for your teeth that you won't have to skimp on.
- Chewing low-sugar gum - research shows that chewing such gum stimulates the secretion of saliva which kills bacteria and helps cleanse the mouth.
- Eating more fruits - Fruits are rich in Vitamin C which strengthens our gums. Deficiency in Vitamin C can cause swollen or bleeding gums and the loosening or falling out of teeth.
- Drinking more water - drinking more water washes away food residues inside the mouth, naturally lowering the chance of bacterial growing on the surface of your teeth.
How can I help my pre-school kids to develop good oral care habits? Are electric toothbrushes more effective in cleaning teeth than conventional ones?
After the first baby teeth have erupted, you should start cleaning them after meals. Try using a piece of gauze and rinse with water. Most toddlers at the age of 15 to 18 months are keen to imitate their mums and dads and are dexterous enough to handle a tooth brush. It is a good chance to let him imitate your actions in front of the mirror each time you brush your teeth. The child may not be able to do much, and you may need to finish the business of cleaning for him. The purpose of the exercise is to develop a good habit that lasts a lifetime. Toothpastes are not really necessary at this stage. When the child reaches 2 to 3 and is more accomplished in brushing his teeth, you can buy them different toothpastes so they can discover a flavour they would like.
While electric toothbrushes are hugely popular with adults, it is not advisable for pre-school kids. The noise of the mechanism and different movement controls might scare them off the brushing habit. Scientific studies have not shown that electric toothbrushes are in any way superior to traditional ones. After all, whichever you choose, it is the way of using the tool in a correct and effective manner that counts. The choice between manual and electrical toothbrushes comes down to whichever you find more convenient and effective.
Hong Kong's water supply is enriched with fluoride, which helps to prevent dental caries in the population. Unfortunately, a small proportion of people are more sensitive to minute amount of fluoride, which results in discoloration of the teeth. If that's causing concern, it may be advisable to use distilled water for drinking and cooking, especially when preparing traditional soups and congee, the prolonged boiling of which may increase the fluoride concentration.
The most important thing to protect your child's teeth is not to offer candies and sugary treats. Stay with the main meals and avoid the snacking habit. Never let your child suck on a bottle of milk while sleeping. This can lead to extensive dental caries.
Source: Quality HealthCare
