All you need to know about bruxism in children

 

Bruxism or teeth grinding is mostly experienced by adults. But this sleeping-related movement disorder is relatively common in children, too. Generally happening when a person is under stress or in a deep sleep, bruxism can become a severe dental concern when left untreated.

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Some kids may grind their teeth if these hurt, while others do so due to stress or anxiety. Misaligned teeth can cause dental concern, but it’s more likely that a child feels anxious about something. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause dull headaches, pain around the ear, and tension pains that start near the temples, explains Kami Hoss, DDS, MS. In other cases, kids may feel pain when chewing or when eating cold and sugary treats.

When teeth grinding is excessive, it causes wear and tear on the enamel, sometimes almost exposing the deeper layers of the teeth, increasing their sensitivity. It’s possible for kids not to outgrow the sleep disorder. Kids whose teeth grinding don’t stop may suffer from chipped or fractured teeth, while others may develop temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which causes increased pain in the jaw. Kids with TMD may find it harder to chew or open their mouth fully.

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If parents or guardians suspect their child has bruxism, it would be best to schedule a dental checkup, notes Kami Hoss, DDS, MS. A proper diagnosis will include the appropriate treatment for bruxism and its symptoms. Some kids and adults with bruxism may benefit more from stress and anxiety relief and management.

Kami Hoss, DDS, MS, holds a master’s in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. He also co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri. For more updates, head over to this blog.

Helping kids manage their fear of the dentist

 

In reality, there really isn’t any reason to fear the dentist. They help individuals get the smile they want and deserve through necessary dental treatments. However, some kids may have an irrational fear of the dentist which can prevent them from having their teeth checked. Adults can encourage kids to manage their fear of the dentist.

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Find friendly dentists. Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists help kids feel comfortable and at ease in every time they visit for a check-up or a procedure. It’s also important for parents to have confidence in the dentist and their staff in order for the child to feel the same. Prepare the child for the visit. Answer questions about the dentist truthfully and avoid downplaying their anxieties. Encourage the child to talk about what makes them afraid or nervous about the visit.

Adults may have the tendency to make dental visits seem scary, especially for kids. Instead, make the visit enticing. Read books and watch videos about dentists that are kid-friendly to build their excitement. Use the right words when talking about dental visits. Rather than using words that might evoke negative reactions such as “pain,” “shot,” or “hurt,” use positive, kid-friendly words like “healthy,” “clean,” and “comfortable.”

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Explore the dental office. Parents can arrange for the dental staff to tour the child around the office to help them see there is nothing to fear. They can even let kids hold kid-friendly dental tools for a little role playing before the actual procedure.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. Read more about Dr. Kami Hoss here.

Six tips to make a child’s first appointment to the dentist a success

 

Part of teaching kids about proper oral care is bringing them to the dentist. Usually easier said than done, a child’s first dental appointment introduces them to their dentist, the dental office staff, and few tools used for cleaning. Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, shares six tips to the first appointment a great one. 

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Give them an early start in dental care. Familiarizing children with dental hygiene as soon as the first tooth erupts is the recommended practice for parents. Adults are encouraged to make it a nightly routine for their child to brush their teeth on their own while parents regularly check to see if brushing is done correctly. Read literature about dentistry to effectively introduce the topic to the child before their first appointment with the dentist.

Make the experience positive even before it takes place. A parent’s voice, body language, expressions, and words toward going to the dentist imply to the child’s initial visit to the dental office. Toddlers need their comfort items; be sure to bring them. Offer a sense of comfort and security to alleviate possible fear and anxiety.

According to Dr. Kami Hoss, parents must avoid mentioning fear until their kid does. Hearing negative experiences about dental visits might trigger fear in children. Be present during their first visit to the dentist. Kids need to develop confidence, trust, and independence all at once during the initial assessment. Having their parent by their side can make things a lot easier.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of business and dentistry. For more information on Dr. Kami Hoss, head over to this page.

Seven tips in teaching dental hygiene to kids

For many children, practicing dental hygiene is fun. However, for some, it can be daunting or boring. Helping kids have a healthy smile through brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups is a job for parents and teachers.

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Parents and kids should brush and floss together. This encourages children to follow what their parents do. A parent must show their kid the proper technique to brush and floss so that the latter can mimic the best method in keeping teeth healthy.

Give the child a special brush to keep their interest in brushing. Pick ones that have the child’s favorite cartoon character as the design. Keep track of time in order to teach the child to brush their teeth for a good couple of minutes. Use a sand timer and ask the kid to flip it to begin, and brush until all the sand is at the bottom.

Partner the special toothbrush with a special toothpaste to instill love and pleasure for the activity. While a kid may like the minty flavor of regular toothpaste, reward them for their obedience with a fruity-flavored toothpaste.

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Show content that display good oral health to encourage the child to do the same. Make brushing and flossing twice a day an opportunity to follow a reward system. When a child agrees to visit the dentist for a check-up, be sure to surprise him or her with a fun family activity afterwards. This lets them know that they are appreciated for their obedience, and that taking good care of their teeth reaps rewards.




Kami Hoss MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. For more updates from Dr. Kami Hoss, subscribe to this blog.