Bruxism is the habit of clenching and grinding your teeth, and can occur both day and night. Daytime bruxism can be conscious or unconscious, instead the night bruxism It is unconscious and is produced by the rhythmic, repetitive and violent contraction of the masseter, the chewing muscles resulting in an audible grinding impossible to reproduce if you are awake. It usually happens in the first moments of sleep and ceases when it is deeper.
Bruxism in children usually appears between the ages of four and six, but usually disappears with the passing of the years, when permanent teeth and teeth come out, although sometimes, it continues to suffer in adulthood. This habit can also cause dental wear and deterioration and gum disease. Some parents do not perceive that their children are bruxists, and it is the pediatrician or the dentist who detects it by the wear and tear of the dental pieces. Children may or may not have pain in the gums, teeth, muscles or joint of the oral region, but if they did, they should be visited by the dentist to rule out or diagnose bruxism.
The reasons for bruxism are still unknown, but they are attributed to emotional stress, anxiety, sleep posture, parasites or certain disorders.
The treatment consists in correcting the factors that propitiate this habit, in some cases the intervention of a psychotherapist can be considered. If there are stress situations, muscle relaxation techniques should be performed, reducing stress or anxiety can reduce bruxism. If there are altered anatomical factors, it will be the dental specialist who decides the treatment.
It is a good measure to use dental protectors to go to sleep, they are special rubber accessories that help prevent tooth wear. It can also encourage the child not to do strenuous exercises or watch violence on television. A relaxing bath before going to sleep will help you relax and if at night you hear the grinding of your teeth, try to change it.
