pediatric dentist - Western Piedmont Dental

How to Stop the Habit of Teeth Grinding in Children

Posted on April 17, 2023 by westerndental

Teeth grinding or bruxism, is the act of involuntarily or habitually grinding teeth, resulting in a harsh sound of enamel rubbing against itself. It is a common problem in children, often occurring during deep sleep or periods of stress. Many children this problem, but parents should remain aware of the issue since it can affect their child’s oral health.

What are the causes of teeth grinding in children?

The root cause of teeth grinding in children is not yet fully understood. It is believed that misaligned teeth or pain from earaches, teething, or toothaches can be contributing factors.

For some children, stress, tension, or anxiety may be the underlying cause of teeth grinding. In situations such as upcoming tests or projects, new teachers or schools, or conflicts with family or friends, teeth grinding may occur. Addressing emotional stress can help to alleviate this habit.

Other than this, certain medications or medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can also lead to teeth grinding in children. Consult with your doctor and pediatric dentist in Rutherford if you suspect any of these potential causes.

What are common indicators of teeth grinding in children?

Chipping: If your child’s teeth have small pieces that are chipped away, this may be due to teeth grinding which causes tension that can break off parts of the tooth.
Fracture lines: Tiny hairline cracks, also known as fractures or “craze” lines, can be caused by teeth grinding.
Worn enamel: Tooth enamel can be worn down by the pressure of grinding, just like it can be eroded by sugary or acidic foods.
Sensitivity: If your child feels pain in their teeth when consuming hot or cold foods, teeth grinding might be the cause.
Head and earaches: If have ruled out all possibilities of head and earaches, teeth grinding can be the reason.
Jaw pain: One of the reasons for jaw pain and discomfort is teeth grinding. So, if your child is having jaw pain, the reason can be teeth grinding.

What are the ways to stop teeth grinding in children?

Encourage relaxation: As stress causes teeth grinding, make sure your child is relxed before bedtime. You should implement some relaxation techniques.
Use a mouth guard: Wearing a mouth guard can protect your child’s teeth from damage caused by teeth grinding at night.
Ensure comfortable sleep conditions: Creating a comfortable sleep environment is crucial, including a cozy mattress and pillows, a cool room temperature, and minimal noise.
Promote good dental hygiene: Practicing good dental hygiene can help prevent dental problems associated with teeth grinding. Encourage your child to brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist for routine checkups.
Consult a pediatric dentist: It’s essential to have your child’s teeth evaluated by a pediatric dentist to determine the severity of bruxism and recommend treatment options.

Teeth grinding in children seem normal to many parents and they often ignore it. But, the fact is, if teeth grinding is not addressed timely and properly, it can lead to long-term dental issues in your child. So, if you identify the problem, visit a Rutherford pediatric dentist immediately.

All you Need to Know About Early Dental Care for Children

Posted on April 13, 2023 by westerndental

Early dental treatment is crucial for children to develop appropriate oral hygiene practices and avoid dental issues. Children should begin seeing a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. The importance of early pediatric dentistry for kids is illustrated by the following:

Avoid Dental Issues

An essential component of children’s early dental care is preventive care. Dentists can monitor children’s oral health through routine checkups and spot any developing issues. This may involve problems including gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Dental issues that are discovered early can be treated before they worsen and require more invasive procedures.

Create Good Habits for Oral Hygiene

Early dental care can aid in the formation of children’s healthy oral hygiene practices. Frequent dental checkups give dentists the chance to instruct parents and kids on how to properly take care of teeth and gums. This covers correct brushing and flossing methods as well as advice on maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding foods and beverages that are high in sugar and acidity. Children who develop appropriate oral hygiene practices early on are more likely to live long, healthy lives with teeth and gums.

Have a Good Connection with Your Dentist

Early dental care can make kids feel more relaxed and at ease when seeing the dentist. Frequent dental checkups give kids the chance to get comfortable at the dental office and form a good rapport with their dentist. By doing this, both the child and the parent will experience future dental visits with less worry and anxiety.

Diagnose and Address Developmental Problems

Early dental treatment can also help identify and address dental and jaw development problems in youngsters. This entails spotting concerns like poor bite habits, crooked teeth, and crowded teeth. Early detection of these disorders can help avoid the emergence of more serious issues and may lessen the need for future, more involved orthodontic treatment.

Determine Health Problems

Frequent dental appointments with pediatric dentistry can also aid in spotting medical conditions that might have an impact on a child’s oral health. This covers conditions including asthma, allergies, and sleep apnea. Based on oral symptoms, dentists may be able to recognize these problems and suggest the proper course of action or a referral to a specialist.

Together with these advantages, early dental care can assist parents in establishing a child’s oral health. Having a consistent dentist who is aware of the child’s oral health history and who can offer continuous care and treatment as necessary. Children can benefit from consistent, excellent dental treatment throughout childhood and into adulthood if they have a dental home.

Generally, children need to receive dental care from a young age to develop appropriate oral hygiene practices, avoid dental issues, and establish a solid rapport with their dentist. Parents can help set their children up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums by establishing regular pediatric dentist checkups early on.

What to look for in a pediatric dentist?

Posted on December 13, 2021 by westerndental

Choosing the right medical and dental care provider for your child is a crucial part of parenting. The process can be really tiring and stressful for parents. Most of the time, parents avoid hiring a pediatric dentist for their children because they are afraid of making the wrong decision and creating an uncomfortable condition for their dear ones.

How to pick the right pediatric dentist for your children? You may find the finest pediatric dentist for your children by seeking referrals, arranging consultations and taking your child’s level of comfort into consideration. It is also necessary to analyze the services provided by the chosen pediatric dentist.

The initial experience of your child with the pediatric dentist is going to shape their attitude toward oral care far into adulthood. As a result, it is crucial to carefully choose the right pediatric dentist for your little one.

There are a few characteristics to put into consideration as you search, visit and choose a pediatric dentist from your region. Pediatric dentists with these characteristics can provide your child with excellent dental treatment. They can also ensure a pleasant experience for your little one each and every time they visit the clinic. Following are the characteristics you have to look for:

An experienced and friendly team of professionals

A team of superb dental specialists backs up the top pediatric dentists. The unifying objective of your child’s dental team should be to provide excellent dental care. You can perceive the friendliness and expertise of each and every member right after entering the dental clinic.

Clinic with a pleasant environment

The whole experience of your child’s dental care shall be greatly dependent on the atmosphere of the pediatric dentist’s clinic. When selecting a pediatric dentist for your children, seek a clinic that has built a pleasant environment.

This will remove any hesitations from your child’s mind. It will also reveal a lot about the dentists in the clinic. A pediatric dentistry facility should be equipped with furnishings, activities, and colours that are both soothing and exciting for your child. Furthermore, there should be tools and equipment that are designed to accommodate tiny grins.

Involved in continued education in pediatric dentistry

Your child’s dentist, like every other area of dentistry, must be engaged in ongoing education. The techniques and operations involved in pediatric dentistry, like general dentistry, is ever-evolving. Choosing a dental team that emphasises ongoing education will enable you to offer your child the best dental care possible.

Must specialize in a variety of pediatric dentistry

It is crucial to select a pediatric dentist that specializes in a variety of areas of pediatric dentistry. This can help you eliminate the chances to redo the procedure simply because your kid did not receive the specific treatment.

It is important that your chosen pediatric dentist can do the basic check-up and cleaning. However, it is better if they can also offer extractions, sedation dentistry and more.

Happy dental care!