Teeth clenching and teeth grinding habits are common in children. With the emergence of the first milk teeth, babies begin to grind their teeth, but this is a process of getting to know the baby's teeth and it is normal to repeat it at intervals throughout the day.
However, children may develop the habit of unconsciously clenching or grinding their teeth at night during sleep at the age of 3 and later, when all their primary teeth are completed. There may be more than one reason for these habits:
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Children frequently touch their mouths and teeth with their hands, which can allow many bacteria and parasites to reach the oral environment. At the same time, consumption of poorly washed vegetables and fruits can also cause parasites to be transmitted to children. Parasites that become active during the night may cause symptoms such as drooling and teeth grinding in children. In this case, habits are expected to disappear with parasite treatment.
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Children may experience anxiety due to the changes they experience in their social lives (such as having a new sibling, starting school, changing class, divorce processes, etc.). Children and adults with more introverted temperaments may begin to grind or clench their teeth during deep (REM) sleep at night. During such a change process, alleviating the child's fears and receiving pedagogical support can eliminate the concerns.
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If there are parents or siblings who clench their teeth in the family, the child can acquire this habit because they are in the same social environment. .
If these habits continue without causing breaks or cracks in the teeth, they will not negatively affect jaw development. However, if the teeth wear out faster than normal or breakage occurs, a night plate should be used to prevent excessive force on the teeth. You can learn about the necessary treatment for your child by consulting your pediatric dentist on this subject.
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