Your newborn’s first year of life is quite active.
Teething is one of the most noteworthy developments.
Your infant will feel new feelings and discomforts as each tooth erupts.
Do you know if your child grinds their teeth? Most of the time, this activity is just easy to explore.
However, if it occurs frequently, your child may suffer from bruxism, a disorder in which they frequently grind their teeth.
Here is more information on bruxism, its causes, and effective home remedies.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Anytime you have a worry about your baby’s health, get in touch with your pediatrician.
✅ The majority of teeth grinding is minor and has no lasting impact.
✅ However, keep an eye out for any changes in your baby’s dental health.
✅ Report any irritability that might be brought on by earaches, jaw pain, or other clenching-related soreness.
Bruxism
A medical disorder called bruxism causes you to often grind your teeth. Infants, kids, and adults are all affected. Both the day and the night can have it happen. It is referred to as sleep bruxism when it occurs at night. The good news is that the majority of cases are minor and don’t call for medical attention.
Bruxism symptoms include:
Clenching or grinding of the teeth
Grinding loudly audible
Teeth with damage or wear
Aches or pains in the jaw
Ear pain or a headache in the temples
It can be challenging to understand what’s happening when an infant can’t vocally express what’s hurting them. However, even if it’s unpleasant to hear the grinding, your kid is probably fine.
Causes
As soon as four months after birth, your youngster may develop his first tooth. Many infants wait until they are 7 months old to erupt their first tooth. Throughout the remainder of the first year, they’ll have more of them, which is when you might start to hear grinding.
Approximately one in three people experience bruxism. Adults’ personalities (competitive, hyperactive, etc.), stress or anger, or even exposure to particular stimulants like caffeine or tobacco, maybe the root of the problem. Sometimes there is no known cause.
Another aspect is age. Babies who are teething may clench or grind their teeth. In younger children, bruxism is also rather frequent. By the time a child is a teenager, it usually vanishes.
Complications
Many infants and kids spontaneously outgrow teeth grinding. No additional care is required. At this age, complications are unusual.
A closer eye should be kept on older children who brux, to make sure they aren’t harming their adult teeth. They risk getting TMJ (temporomandibular joint disease) if they keep clenching their jaw.
Natural Solutions
Although teething isn’t necessarily associated with bruxism, the two can coexist during a baby’s first year.
Try giving your infant a teething toy to chew on if you observe him grinding his teeth. You can experiment with a variety of types to determine which one is most effective.
Soft and cozy natural rubber tethers, like Sophie the Giraffe by Vulli, are available. They don’t contain bisphenol A or phthalates (BPA).
Ice teethers, such as Nuby Soother Rings, contain a tiny amount of liquid that is chilled. Pain from teeth that are protruding through the gums can be relieved by the cold.
Chemical-free, supple wooden teethers like these Maple Teethers are available. They have inherent antibacterial properties.
Chew beads silicone teething necklaces are excellent for use when you’re out and about. They permit your infant to chew whenever they have the urge, hands-free.
There are numerous types of homemade teething toys. Try soaking a washcloth most of the way before folding it into quarters. After a brief period of freezing, let your child hold it by the dry quarter. They should feel comfortable from the cold and stiffness.
Amber teething necklaces are sometimes used by parents to relieve teething discomfort. Whether these necklaces are effective or not is still up for debate. Before utilizing one, it is advisable to consult with your child’s doctor. Anytime you put something around your baby’s neck, there is a serious risk of strangulation. Before naps and at night, take the necklace off for safety.
Stress can also result in bruxism, especially in older kids. Try to address such concerns immediately if you think your child’s teeth grinding has anything to do with anxiety or anxiety. Grinding during the night could be lessened by a relaxing sleep routine.
Consult your dentist if your child grinds their teeth throughout childhood, experiences discomfort, or has any other issues. To avoid causing your child’s teeth long-term harm, there are specific mouthguards that may be fitted to their teeth specifically.