Kids Dental Online - Plano & Carrollton

Pediatric Kids Dentist Plano Carrollton

Plano Office
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, TX 75093
Phone: 972-378-5437
       
Carrollton Office
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104
Carrollton, TX 75007
Phone: 972-394-2140
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • What is a Pediatric Dentist?
    • Meet Our Team of Pediatric Dentists
    • Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, MS
    • Moisa Sapozhnikov, DDS
    • Mindy Li, DDS
    • Nathan Cotten, DDS, MS – Orthodontist
    • Dental Hygienists
  • Dental Topics
    • Toothaches in Children
    • Pulp Therapy in Children
    • Bruxism is Teeth Grinding or Jaw Clenching in Children
    • Tongue Thrusting in Children
    • Baby Dental Topics
      • Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • Dental Hygiene For Babies And Toddlers
      • Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints
      • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”
    • Can Oral Piercings Affect Your Teeth?
    • Oral Hygiene
      • Dental Cavities and How to Prevent Them
      • Bad Breath in Children
      • Dental Fluoride Treatments in Children
      • Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children
      • Dental Treatment for Tooth Decay
      • Oral Health and Gum Disease
      • Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect
      • Eating Healthy to Promote Strong Teeth in Children
      • Foods That Stain Teeth
      • Soda Drinking and Its Effect on Teeth
      • Sports Drinks Can Be Harmful to Teeth
      • Vaping Can Affect Oral Health
        • How Can Vaping Affect My Teen’s Oral Health?
      • Permanent Tooth Eruption In Children
    • White Dental Crowns for Kids
    • Is Teeth Whitening Safe For Children?
    • Wisdom Teeth
      • Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
        • Treating Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
    • Hyperdontia Supernumerary Teeth
    • Hypodontia (Missing Teeth)
    • Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
      • Treating Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
    • Tips & Safety
      • Eating Disorders Can Affect Kid’s Teeth
      • Preventing and Treating Oral Damage from Eating Disorders
      • Xylitol Dental Benefits
      • Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Children
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Dental Health Resources
      • Dental Sedation
      • Healthy Eating
      • Motivating Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
      • Mouth Guards Prevent Dental Injury in Sports
      • Pediatric Dental X-rays (Radiography) and Safety
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Orthodontics
      • Why Young Kids Need Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Orthodontic Daily Care
        • Caring for Braces
        • How do you care for braces
        • Helpful Tips for Braces
      • Jaw Surgery for Orthodontics (Maxilla and Mandible)
  • Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
  • Review Us
    • Testimonials
    • Patient Survey
  • Information
    • Kids First Dental Visit
    • Kids Dental News
    • Kids Quotes
      • Submit Kids Quote
      • Kids Dental Welcome Video
      • Ed Meets the Dentist
      • Dental App for Kids
  • Locations
    • Carrollton Office
    • Plano Office
  • Contact Us
    • Website Index Sitemap
  • Appt Request

Bruxism is Teeth Grinding or Jaw Clenching in Children

Bruxism is teeth grinding or jaw clenching in children and is a common condition that can cause parents concern about their child’s dental health. Approximately 20-30% of children exhibit some type of bruxism, and while most patients eventually grow out of teeth grinding or clenching of their jaws, the effects of bruxism can be bothersome and painful. Since teeth grinding typically occurs during the deep sleep cycle, a child’s bruxism is often only discovered when parents hear the sounds of teeth clenching when they check on their child while he/she is sleeping.

What Causes Bruxism?

Bruxism is Teeth Grinding or Jaw Clenching in Children

There is no definitive cause for bruxism, however, some commonly suspected contributors include:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Anxiety, nervous tension, or stress (such as may be caused by a change in routine, anger, or fear)
  • Hyperactivity or ADHD
  • Reactions to medications
  • Pain, such as earache or teething
  • Inner ear pressure
  • Some medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy

Whatever the cause, bruxism can often go undetected unless symptoms present. Many children have no ill effects from bruxism (especially mild cases), however, teeth grinding can result in unwanted health issues.

Common complications of bruxism include:

  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Facial pain
  • Jaw pain or problems, such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
  • Erosion of tooth enamel
  • Loose or chipped teeth
  • Dental attrition (wearing down of teeth)
  • Tooth pain or sensitivity
  • Inner cheek abrasions

Diagnosing Bruxism

If your child complains of a sore jaw in the mornings or jaw pain while chewing, some nocturnal observation may help identify the source of the problem as bruxism. If you discover or suspect that your child is teeth grinding, a dental examination is recommended to establish if there is any enamel erosion, unusual wear and tear on the teeth, or tooth sensitivity.

Your pediatric dentist will also check for any misalignment problems that could be contributing to the bruxism.

If bruxism is diagnosed, your dentist may ask questions to help identify any stressors that may be causing anxiety-related teeth grinding.

Bruxism Treatments

the pediatric dental specialists at Kids Dental can prescribe an individualized mouth guard
Mouth Guard

If bruxism is causing dental damage or other jaw or facial problems, the pediatric dental specialists at Kids Dental can prescribe an individualized mouth guard specifically molded to protect your child’s teeth and prevent grinding.

Other helpful solutions for reducing teeth grinding (especially stress-induced bruxism) include relaxation techniques prior to bedtime, such as:

  • Taking a warm bath or shower
  • Listening to soothing music
  • Reading a book

If stress and/or anxiety are factors, talk to your child about the upsetting situation to help alleviate worry.

Is Bruxism a Sleep Disorder?

Teeth grinding that occurs during sleep (sleep bruxism) is considered a sleep-related disorder, as studies show that the act of clenching the teeth results in nocturnal arousal in 60% of incidences. Sleep bruxism episodes typically occur six times an hour in clusters during the entire night, with most presenting during Stage Two and REM sleep. These frequent nocturnal arousals can result in behavioral problems during the day due to sleep fragmentation.

Sleep bruxism is often accompanied by other sleep disorders, such as:

  • Mouth breathing
  • Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (enlarged adenoids and tonsils)
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

In cases involving sleep-disordered breathing due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, bruxism usually decreases significantly or stops completely after an adenotonsillectomy is performed.

In most other cases, pediatric bruxism begins decreasing between the ages of six and nine. Generally, children who grind their teeth outgrow the activity between ages nine and twelve.

If you are concerned that your child is grinding his/her teeth or your child is showing signs of dental problems due to bruxism, please contact Kids Dental for an evaluation.

Kids Dental Locations Appointment Request

Plano Office Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office Phone: 972-394-2140

kids dental topics pediatric dentist dr jeff holtInfant Dental Topics

  • Why Baby Teeth Are Important
  • Five Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints 
  • Dental Hygiene for Babies and Toddlers
  • Baby Bottle (Nursing) Tooth Decay
  • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”

Infant Dental Topics

  • Why Baby Teeth Are Important
  • Five Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints 
  • Dental Hygiene for Babies and Toddlers
  • Baby Bottle (Nursing) Tooth Decay
  • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”
detnal topics

Children Dental Topics

  • Permanent Tooth Eruption in Children
  • Dental Cavities and How to Prevent Cavities
  • Dental Fillings, Stainless-steel Crowns-Treatment for Tooth Decay
  • Zirconia White Dental Crowns for Kids
  • Oral Health and Gum Disease
  • Motivating Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
  • When Should I Change My Toothbrush?
  • Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Children
  • Eating Healthy to Promote Strong Teeth in Children
  • Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children
  • Dental Fluoride Treatments in Children
  • Mouth Guards Prevent Dental Injury in Sports
  • Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect
  • Bad Breath in Children – Halitosis
  • The Top Drinks and Foods That Stain Teeth
  • Sports Drinks Can Be Harmful to Teeth
  • Xylitol Dental Benefits

Pediatric Dental Emergencies

  • Read about pediatric dental emergencies and what to do when they occur.

Safety in Pediatric Dentistry

  • Pediatric Dental X-rays (Radiography) and Safety
  • Dental Sedation and Safety
  • Product Recalls and Health Alerts

Dental Health Resources

  • Web resources on pediatric dental care.

orthodontic braces

Pediatric Orthodontic Topics

  • Why Young Kids Need Braces
  • Types of Braces
  • Caring for Braces
  • Helpful Tips for Braces
  • Jaw Surgery for Orthodontics (Maxilla and Mandible)
    At Kids Dental, your child’s health and safety are a top priority. If you have questions about your child’s teeth, please schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist by completing an Online Appointment Request or calling either office.    

Plano Office Online Appointment Request Phone: 972-394-2140

 

Carrollton Office Online Appointment Request Phone:972-378-5437

  Kids Dental Locations Appointment Request

Latest Addition

toothache in children

Toothaches in Children

Toothaches in children are a common occurrence from early childhood to adolescence. They can result from normal oral development or be a sign of a dental problem. Pediatric dentist Dr. Jeff Holt and his team at Kids Dental in Plano, Carrollton, and … Toothaches in Children - Kids Dental - Plano & Carrollton

Kids Dental in Plano and Carrollton, Dr. Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, Pediatric Dentists and Orthodontist

About Our Team

About Our Team Dr. Jeff Holt and our team of pediatric dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants welcome you to Kids Dental located in Plano and Carrollton. All of our clinical staff members are registered by the Texas State Board of … Our Team

Pediatric Dental Topics

Dental Topics

Pediatric Dental Topics The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) supports the concept of a dental home for all infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. As your dental home we include all aspects of … Dental Care

Dental braces in children at Kids Dental

Orthodontics

Orthodontics Properly aligned teeth and jaws can prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other health problems. An attractive smile is a nice side effect of orthodontic care, but there are plenty of other reasons to see an orthodontist too. Please call … Orthodontics

How Can Vaping Affect My Teen’s Oral Health?

While more research needs to be performed, initial studies concerning … [Read More...]

Vaping Can Affect Oral Health

Vaping can affect oral health negatively, despite electronic cigarettes … [Read More...]

dental sealants in children prevent cavities

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children Dental sealants have been used largely since the 1960s as a protective tool in dentistry, due to their … Dental Sealants

Archives

Kids Dental

Plano and Carrollton, Texas

Pediatric Dentists

  • Dr. Jeffrey Holt
  • Dr. Moisa Sapozhnikov
  • Dr. Mindy Li

Orthodontist

Dr. Nathan Cotten

Plano Office

Kids Dental Plano
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, Texas 75093

Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office

Kids Dental Carrollton
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104

Carrollton, Texas 75007

Phone: 972-394-2140

Parent's Corner

Parent Information
Patient Forms
Pediatric Dental Library
Kid's Dental Blog

Testimonials

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on LinkedIn

Copyright © 2023 · KidsDental Online · Plano & Carrollton Pediatric Dentists · Sitemap · Log in