Bruxism Treatment with Mouth Guards on the Upper West Side
Bruxism is the grinding or clenching of teeth. It is hard to imagine that our children suffering from bruxism, but studies show an estimated 30% of kids have this condition. While the sources may vary, Dr. Lal believes it’s important to undercover the reason behind a young patient’s discomfort and provide them with the care necessary to alleviate it. Happy Teeth NY offers in-depth diagnosis of bruxism and therapeutic treatment with custom mouth guards on the Upper West Side.
Common Effects of Bruxism
Bruxism can begin as soon as a child turns one or shortly after their first few teeth erupt. It’s critical to diagnose this condition early on to prevent both short and long-term negative effects.
Many children who excessively clench or grind their teeth may be too young to understand the seriousness of their symptoms or may not even notice. Parents of children experiencing bruxism may notice the following:
- Abnormal grinding noises while the child sleeps.
- The child may wake up complaining of headaches or ear pain.
- Bruxism may cause a young patient to experience sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods.
If the signs of bruxism go unnoticed or untreated for an extended period of time, effects might intensify and the child may start to experience long-term negative effects, which include:
- Significant damage to the tooth enamel.
- Chipping or fractures.
- Increased risk for developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
- Developmental or behavioral issues, as pain and/or lack of quality sleep causes a disruption in their ability to focus or their desire to socialize.
Happy Teeth NY Helps Children Overcome Bruxism
As no two cases are alike, Dr. Shantanu Lal approaches bruxism with individualized treatment plans designed to resolve a young patient’s discomfort.
Either prior to treatment or as a complement to appliance therapy, Dr. Lal recommends parents create a bedtime routine for their children. Research indicates that overstimulation before bedtime can be a co-factor for bruxism, so trying to help your child unplug and unwind can be beneficial in addressing the behavioral causes of this condition.
In some cases, clenching or grinding is a child’s natural response to the movement of their primary teeth as they make way for the eruption of their permanent, adult teeth. While Dr. Lal will provide education, guidance, and, as needed, treatment to take care of any discomfort, these situations typically resolve with time. However, there are more concerning sources that contribute to bruxism, including stress, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues, allergies, enlarged tonsils, and even orthodontic problems such as overcrowding.
We aim to resolve more concerning cases of bruxism through counseling and the use dental devices like night-guards when needed. Counseling is a critical component of treatment and allows us to get to the root cause of bruxism. Night guards can be worn at night to protect teeth, and these appliances can be custom-manufactured in our office at a single visit.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
If you are concerned that your child is experiencing the signs of teeth clenching or grinding, call or visit our office and schedule an appointment. Dr. Lal will work with you and your little one to determine the source of their bruxism and create a personalized treatment plan to provide them with relief.
Parents looking for bruxism mouth guards for children on the Upper West Side can visit our practice knowing we’ll provide a solution to improve your child’s health. We look forward to welcoming you to our pediatric dental practice, Happy Teeth NY.