Bruxism is the scientific name for the problem of teeth grinding in children and adults. There is evidence that 1-3% of the population suffers from this disease. In children and adults, it manifests itself during a night's sleep and lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. The causes of bruxism are not fully understood, but there are several theories on the basis of which treatment is based.
How does gnashing of teeth manifest?
Bruxism is a condition that affects children more often than adults. It is believed that every third child grinds his teeth. The grinding is observed only during a night's sleep and greatly worries the relatives of the child, since it lasts from several seconds to several minutes in a row and can be repeated many times.
Bruxism reasons
To accurately determine the causes of bruxism in your child, you need to consult an experienced doctor.
Previously, it was believed that bruxism is caused by microbes of the gastrointestinal tract, but today the absolute inconsistency of this theory has been proven.
There is another theory, which is also considered unproven, that bruxism occurs when there are worms in the body. Allegedly, worms, parasitizing in the human intestines, reduce the production of vitamin B12, and also disrupt the absorption of other vitamins by the body, which are responsible for the normal development of the child's nervous system.
It is believed that gnashing of teeth is a kind of rudiment that we inherited from our distant ancestors, who ground their sharp teeth in this way. Many parents, having noticed bruxism in their child, admit that they had a similar problem in childhood. This can become the basis for the assumption of the genetic predisposition of children whose parents have a similar problem.
But the most likely two causes of bruxism are considered: teeth grinding is caused by an incorrect bite, as well as problems with the nervous system.
Ways to get rid of bruxism
If the cause of bruxism is the child's malocclusion, then it is impossible to delay the treatment. The fact is that during grinding, teeth rub against each other intensively due to involuntary strong contractions of the jaw muscles, which can lead to significant erasure of dentin, the appearance of caries, as well as to inflammatory processes in the periodontal tissues. Contact your dentist urgently, he will develop a special rubber intraoral protective applicator for the upper jaw, which will have an individual shape and protect the child's teeth from damage.
If the reason is nervous disorders, then consult a neurologist. He will reveal what causes the violations. Protect your child from stressful situations, from excessive impressions throughout the day. Do not worry, by the age of 6-7, bruxism most often goes away on its own.
