Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear down quicker and lead to cavities or sensitive teeth. Some toddlers grind their teeth without realizing how harmful it can be to their teeth. If your child is grinding their teeth there are some tips you can try to help prevent unnecessary grinding. The Moose Dentist can help children with many dental issues or educate them on how to best take care of their teeth. Our office is a comfortable space for children to learn and be taken care of. 

Have A Soothing Bed Time Routine

The most common reason for toddlers to begin grinding their teeth is because their bite does not line up or they are stressed. One way to help limit stress before sleeping can be to create a soothing bedtime routine. This can include leaving plenty of time for proper brushing, listening to soothing sounds or music, and reading them a book to help them relax. 

Helping to limit stress at school or at home with other siblings can curb the habit of grinding teeth. Once children move through a stage in life or stress starts to subside, the grinding may stop on its own. Toddlers usually grow out of grinding their teeth or it may only happen during the day, but if the problem continues to occur, contact your dentist. 

Treat Pain Of Growing Teeth

Another reason for babies or toddlers to grind their teeth is the pain of new teeth. Grinding may help to stop the pain temporarily or be a way to distract them. Giving children medicine or helping them to think about something else besides the pain, can help them stop grinding their teeth. 

Babies who are teething can chew on teething toys or frozen fruit to help numb the pain of new teeth. 

Ask Clearly For Them To Stop

Some children may not realize what they are doing can be harmful to their teeth. Talking to the child, if they are old enough to understand, can help them see how important their teeth are and that grinding their teeth is not something they should be doing. 

Teaching children about enamel and how to properly care for their teeth can be fun! With many children’s books and online resources, learning about the dentist and teeth can be a fun learning experience for toddlers. 

Visit Your Dentist For Help

If you have tried all the methods you can think of, you can talk to your dentist about how to help your child. Dentists may be able to give them a mouth guard to wear at night if they are mostly grinding in their sleep. Dentists may be able to apply sealants or coatings to a child’s teeth to protect their top enamel from wearing down. 

Our dentists at The Moose Dentist know about many things that children experience and how it can be hard to teach children how fragile and important teeth can be. Making our practice safe and comfortable is our top priority. We have filled our office with bright colors, kid friendly activities, and our staff knows how to work with kids. Trusting us at The Moose Dentist with your children is a big deal, so we provide virtual tours of our office and our staff can talk to you and answer any questions you may have. 

We treat each patient like they are our own children and help to give you the best advice for any issue they may be experiencing. We believe in a gentle approach and are sensitive to dental anxiety and fear that children may experience. Contact us today to learn more about our practice.