In the realm of children’s dentistry, one condition that often flies under the radar is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Despite being a common issue, many parents may only realize that their children are suffering from this condition once they bring them in for a routine children’s dentistry visit. As a parent, understanding bruxism can help ensure your child maintains good oral health.
Why Children Experience Bruxism
Bruxism is an involuntary grinding, gnashing, or clenching of teeth, typically occurring during sleep, but it can also happen when the child is awake. Various factors contribute to bruxism in children. Emotional stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, or a reaction to pain from teething or earaches can lead to teeth grinding. Additionally, certain medical conditions and medications might also cause bruxism.
In some instances, bruxism is a natural part of children’s dentistry care, often linked with the development and alignment of the teeth as kids grow. However, monitoring this condition closely is crucial because, while most children outgrow it by their teen years, ongoing, severe bruxism can lead to oral health issues.
Impact of Bruxism on a Child’s Oral Health
The repercussions of untreated bruxism on children’s oral health can be significant. Continuous grinding wears down the enamel of the teeth, leading to sensitivity and increased susceptibility to cavities. More severe cases of bruxism can cause chipped teeth, fractures, or damage to the jawbone or temporomandibular joint, resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Moreover, bruxism often results in headaches and facial pain, influencing a child’s overall well-being. It may also lead to sleep disturbances, impacting the child’s mood and cognitive performance, which can ripple out to affect school performance and social interactions.
Available Treatments
Fortunately, children’s dentistry offers several effective treatments for managing bruxism. During a children’s dentistry visit, your dentist will examine your child’s mouth, teeth, and jaws to determine the best course of action. Treatment options typically aim to alleviate symptoms, prevent damage to the teeth, and address the underlying causes of bruxism.
In many cases, dental guards or splints are recommended. These are worn at night, creating a barrier between the top and bottom teeth, preventing grinding. For children experiencing anxiety or stress-related bruxism, behavioral therapies or counseling may be helpful. In some instances, addressing associated medical conditions or adjusting medications can significantly reduce the occurrence of bruxism.
How Parents Can Help
Parental support plays a crucial role in managing a child’s bruxism and addressing the issues causing it. Firstly, maintaining regular children’s dentistry visits is essential for early detection and monitoring of bruxism. The dental care provider can give tailored advice and treatment plans according to the child’s needs.
Encourage good oral hygiene practices at home, as proper children’s dentistry care extends beyond the dentist’s office. These practices include regular brushing and flossing, which can help keep teeth strong and healthy.
Furthermore, promoting a stress-free environment at home can significantly assist. Help your child manage stress through relaxation techniques, physical activity, or hobbies. Regular sleep routines also contribute to better oral health by ensuring your child is well-rested, potentially reducing the occurrence of sleep bruxism.
Lastly, keep an open line of communication with your child. Understanding their worries or stresses can help you comfort your child and address underlying issues that may be contributing to bruxism.
In conclusion, bruxism is a common but manageable condition in children. By understanding the causes and impacts of bruxism, parents can take the next steps to ensure their child receives the best children’s dentistry care. Regular dental visits, a conducive home environment, and effective communication, can make a significant difference in managing and treating bruxism in children.
If you suspect your child may be experiencing bruxism, contact Torbram Dental today!
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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As a dedicated Dental Hygienist at Torbram Dental, Aalisha brings recent knowledge and experience to ensure the best oral health for our patients. She holds a Diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries and has further enriched her education with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. Beyond her professional qualifications, Aalisha has a zest for life that extends beyond the dental chair. She cherishes quality time with family and friends, thrives on outdoor adventures, and has a passion for hiking and water-based activities, especially during the sunny summer days. She is an avid traveler, exploring tropical paradises and historic destinations while immersing herself in diverse cultures and indulging in delicious culinary experiences."
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Supreet was born and raised in Punjab, India and came to Canada in 2016. She graduated from Sheridan College as an Environmental Lab Technician but later decided to change her career to dentistry. She completed her Level I and II Intra-Oral Dental Assisting course from George Brown College and graduated in 2023. In July 2023, Supreet joined the team at Torbram Dental where she enjoys working. In her free time, she loves to read books.
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