Although children are not affected by stress the same way adults are, they can still grind their teeth while they sleep or clench their jaws. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, only occurs in about 17 percent of children, but it can affect how their teeth look, function and cause reoccurring headaches. Our dentists at ToothTown of Greeley can help kids ages 14 and over by prescribing night guards for them.
Causes of Teeth Grinding in Children
Although stress can be a minor factor when teens grind their teeth, other causes are more likely to cause this unconscious habit, including:
- Mouth irritations
- Allergic reactions
- Teeth misalignments
- Hyperactivity
- Earaches
Some of the symptoms that might clue you into your teen’s teeth grinding are:
- Jaw soreness
- Teeth that are uncomfortable or loose
- Broken teeth
- Recurrent dull headaches
If your child complains of their teeth hurting and headaches, book an appointment with our dentists in Greeley, CO. They can examine your child’s teeth and prescribe and order a custom night guard to protect their teeth.
What are Night Guards?
Dental night guards near you are a plastic mouthguard that looks like those kids and adults wear to protect their teeth when playing sports. There are two types from which to choose, an over-the-counter boil and bite guard or one that our dentists can customize for their teeth. A night guard should not be confused with a sports guard. Oftentimes the over the counter boil and bite guard is completely adequate protection while playing sports. In some situations, the sports guard can serve as a night guard, which is used to combat nighttime bruxism. However, if a night guard is prescribed, the best fit will be achieved by a custom night guard designed specifically to fit your child.
​When you choose a custom night guard, dentists will take impressions of your teen’s teeth with a mold so that it fits their mouth precisely. Our dentists near you will send the impressions in with the order of the night guard. It should return from the laboratory in about two to three weeks and get fitted to your child’s mouth.
When they sleep, the night guard will be a cushion between their upper and lower teeth. When they start grinding, they will no longer rub their teeth against teeth. Instead, the plastic night guard will be a barrier between them and cushion them.
If your child complains of headaches, sore teeth, or jaw, or you notice their teeth flattening in the back of their mouth, call ToothTown of Greeley for an appointment to examine their teeth to determine if night guards in Greeley, CO, is the best bruxism solution.