My dd grinds her teeth in her sleep...

[Gemini]

Besides making me and my hubby climb the walls when she does it we are concerned about her teeth. Even if she is in her bed in another room, we can still hear her grind. :cringe

Should we get her a mouth guard?? We got one from the sports shop, and it just wasn't small enough for her itty bitty mouth. My dd is a peanut. She's almost four. Should we go to our denist to get a formed to fit guard?

Any info would help!

[Turtle Woman]

Both of my girls do this. I took my oldest to a dentist and she refused to give me a gaurd. She said it will not ruin her baby teeth but I am worried about it becoming a lifetime habit and her muscles. She said it was caused by stress and I needed to be more in tune with my children. I was very offended. I also would love to hear others suggestions.

[Gemini]

Originally posted by rommamomma
She said it was caused by stress and I needed to be more in tune with my children. I was very offended.

I can't believe that!

[rose angel]

some ideas

My kids have periodically done tooth grinding, and clenching. I would suggest taking them to a chiropracter that is used to working with children. She may be having some tightness or pain in her neck that is causing her to grind. Also you might try some gentle massage of her neck and jaws at night as part of the bed time routine. Some calcium at night might help too, it is a muscle relaxant.
My son would clench his jaws while nursing as a newborn, and really hurt me. 10 seconds after being adjusted, the problem was gone. He was out of alignment in his lower back, which was causing pain. His pain response was to clamp.
BTW I had never been to a chiropracter before, but I think it is great now. Couldn't hurt, might help, especially if they are also nutritionally and supplement knowledgeable. after a LLL mtg, other moms might be able to reccomend a good one for kids
Karen

[Smilemomma]

[majazama]

I heard that teeth-grinding was caused by a type of worms in the body, as teeth-grinding is a symptom of the worms. I'm not sure what kind, though.

[StandswithStrength]

My dd does this also. My dentist recently told me that at her age (5), it's OK and she will probably grow out of it. He said that 90% of the kids grow out of it. If it continues when the adult teeth start coming in, he recommended action then.

He told me it is NOT from stress - that it is a natural reflex for the child and follows the cycles of sleep. I was worried about her teeth being ground down to little nubs but he really made me feel better about it. So we just watch it closely and thankfully, she sleeps in her own room upstairs so I don't hear it except for when she crawls in bed with us

[sarahmae1]

Ack - my ds does this too! He's still co-sleeping and it drives me nuts! The thing is - I have done this in the past as well... I had a mouth gaurd, but I hated it and stoped wearing it. I can tell that I am doing it again now. Anyways, my ds hasn't been to the denist yet (he should go soon I know) but I really wish he wouldn't do this!