Bruxism in children

Bruxism - from the Greek language is translated as "gnashing his teeth." With this disease, the jaws involuntarily contract, as the chewing muscles contract. These processes are accompanied by an audible gnashing of teeth, the sound can also resemble squeaks. Such seizures can last from ten seconds to several minutes.

During the manifestation of bruxism, the following processes can be observed: slowing or accelerating the pulse, changing the respiratory rate, jumping in the arterial pressure.

Bruxism can manifest itself at any age, but is most common in young children and in school age - in 50% of the child population.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Symptoms of bruxism in children

A direct symptom of bruxism in children, according to which the presence of the disease is revealed - grinding or creaking with teeth. Depending on the strength of the clenching of the jaw, the audible sound of the grinding, on which bruxism is diagnosed, also changes.

The second most important symptom, according to which the definition of the disease is possible - a slight increase in the muscles of the jaw - they begin to protrude a little on both sides of the face. The increase is due to the constant work of the muscles, which are in constant tension. These processes can lead to the fact that the baby can experience unpleasant sensations in the area of the jaw, up to constant pain.

Also, constant work to reduce jaw muscles can lead to constant pain in the ears, headaches and various uncomfortable sensations in the face area.

The difference in pain can vary from inconspicuous and background, to tangible and moderate. But, nevertheless, the presence of unpleasant symptoms will distract the baby from everyday activities.

The most unpleasant symptom for this disease is an erased tooth enamel and an increase in the level of tooth sensitivity. This aspect concerns both children with milk teeth, and those who managed to get permanent teeth. Since, they did not have time to get stronger and take a permanent form. With constant friction, the possibility of resolving the protective layer of teeth (enamel) increases and there is a loosening of the teeth. High probability of loss, fracture and partial deformation of teeth of the upper and lower jaw. Increases sensitivity to hot and cold, sour or sweet. Even rinsing the teeth when cleaning toothpaste becomes problematic for the baby.

Diagnosis of bruxism in children

Diagnosis of the presence of bruxism in a child is possible by the presence of symptoms. You may suspect the presence of the disease if you start to hear that your baby has started to creak or involuntarily clench the jaw. There are two types of dental scraping - day and night. In both cases the jaw clenching occurs involuntarily.

Diagnosis of bruxism reveals - whether there are extraneous processes in the body of the baby. The practice of physicians shows that not only not spilled internal tension, increased anxiety can lead to a constant tension of the chewing musculature.

In some cases, inflammation, which is accompanied by itching in the jaw - periodontitis, can lead to the fact that the child tries to sooth the itch and "scratch" the jaw in each other in a dream.

Also, gnashing of teeth can occur and in violation of bite.

In any case, as soon as you begin to hear the incomprehensible screech that the baby starts to produce at night - you should consult a dentist and a pediatrician. Diagnosis is based on anamnesis. It is necessary to know how long the muscular pains in the lower jaw began. It is necessary to examine external changes - in extreme forms of dental scraping, enamel, caries and gum disease can be erased.

Diagnosis of bruxism is carried out using polysomnography - it will help to register the picture of involuntary contraction of the jaw muscles.

Also, carrying out this procedure will help to determine or exclude the presence of an initial stage of epilepsy, in which night scraping is also possible.

[5], [6], [7], [8]

Treatment of bruxism in children

Before starting treatment for bruxism in children, it is required to find out directly for what reasons the disease has occurred and for how long it has occurred. Directly treatment of bruxism should be handled by a dentist. But, completely shift responsibility for the treatment of the baby to the doctor should not, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment. On the part of the dentist, a special tire will be made, which I will not let my teeth touch during sleep.

Parents should remember and every day to spend with the child a set of necessary rules for every day.

• If the baby does not eat, his teeth should be in a relaxed state. The lips should be closed, and the jaws should not touch. Keep track of this position throughout the day.
• If you notice that the baby's jaw is compressed - tell him about it, since the reaction can go unnoticed. Let him try to relax his jaw.
• Try to reduce the occurrence and development of stressful situations. Talk to your child, maybe he's worried about a situation in school (for example, an unsuccessful check or bad score) or quarreled with friends.
• Make sure that the baby's jaws are loaded with work. The more jaws will work during the day, the less likely the occurrence of a tooth rasp in a dream. You can make jaw muscles work with both an iris and chewing gum.

Prevention of bruxism in children

If the baby only occasionally exhibits symptoms of bruxism, then you can take preventive measures so that the disease does not increase.

• If the child does not speak, does not chew and does not swallow - the jaws should be relaxed. Only the lips should be closed.
• Before going to bed, the baby should rest. It is not recommended to play any games that require emotional or physical stress at least two hours before bedtime. Create a calm environment. Read a book together or watch a cartoon without a dynamic plot.
• Try to lay the baby earlier, perhaps an extra hour of sleep will remove the accumulated stress.
• Do not feed the baby before bed. If the digestive system works at night, then the excess strain of the body is created - hence the night grinding of teeth. If the baby is still hungry, feed the baby a carrot or apple in its entirety. This food will feed him, and at the same time create additional stress on the jaw muscles.
• Before going to bed talk to the child - this should not be an examination of the assessments. Try for a few minutes just to dream or fantasize about fictional worlds. This will help reduce the accumulated stress.
• Try to apply soothing compresses. Just wet the towel with warm water, in which the aromatic oil was dissolved. Such a calming complex will help reduce muscle tension and relieve pain from the jaw.

Prognosis of bruxism in children

In advance, to predict whether your baby will have a dental scraping difficult. At the moment, it is not revealed, which causal can lead to a night scraping of teeth. But, there are special groups of people who have this disease most often. Thus, you can make a certain forecast of bruxism in children.

So, the first group of risk is those who have a sleep disorder. Various nightmares, somnambulism and even snoring can lead to a night scraping.

The second group of risk - those who have an incorrect bite, various facial pathologies and diseases of the temporomandibular joints.

The third group of risk is aggressive children, those who have to suppress feelings and emotions. And the prognosis of bruxism in children can be confirmed if they are prone to emotional stress and various stresses.