Hi there!
According to John Brooke, an estimated 95% of Americans grind or
clench their teeth!
Bruxism
http://dentistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa123198.htm
My youngest son used to grind his teeth when he was distracted, but
stopped at about 3 1/2 years - he said it sounded funny and he didn't
like it. This is not particularly unusual behavior in toddlers:
"Tooth grinding (especially the night-time noise) is a not unusual for
toddlers but can be a concern for parents. Most children lose this
habit after the baby teeth are in and more as the first adult teeth
appear (3-6 years). The loudness or length of the habit may not be
reflected in the wear of their teeth. The baby teeth can be noticeably
worn but the adult teeth are usually spared."
Oral Health For Children 3 - 6 Years
http://www.aboutsmiles.org/3to6g.htm
"Parents: should you be concerned about your child's teeth if his
tooth-grinding is keeping you awake at night?
Probably not. Tooth-grinding, known as bruxism, can be an annoyance
for family members, however it is common in many children and rarely
damages teeth. Moreover, grinding teeth most often occurs during sleep
in conjunction with other sleep disturbances."
Grinding Teeth Not a Dental Concern for Most Children
http://www.fiddlersgreendental.com/dentalcare/grinding.htm
"Like sucking on pacifiers and thumbs, grinding the teeth (called
bruxism) is a common habit that usually disappears on its own as young
children grow. The two peak periods of bruxism are as the baby teeth
arrive in very young children and again at 5 or 6 as the permanent
teeth begin to come in. Grinding could slowly damage the enamel of the
teeth, but the baby teeth do not remain in place long enough for that
to be a concern. The habit usually stops long before permanent damage
to the adult teeth occurs."
Pediatric Update - Bruxism - Helping Children Who Grind Their Teeth At
Night
http://www.drgreene.com/21_261.html
This is a common, relatively harmless habit among children your
godson's age, and he'll likely just outgrow it with no further
problems. He's only doing it occasionally, so I wouldn't be alarmed.
At his age, teeth are still a novelty -he's just playing with them.
It can be a bit unnerving, though. Dr. William Sears lists it among
common childhood behaviors, and offers tips for breaking the habit:
"GRINDING TEETH (clenching teeth)
Motivators: Relax child before bedtime. Reduce sleep separation
anxiety -- sleep close to child. Show teeth damage in mirror. Run
fingers over damaged teeth.
Relaxers: Relax jaw -- let mouth drop open. Massage facial muscles.
Give before-bed massage. Breathe deeply with open mouth.
Substitutes: Smile instead of gritting teeth - daytime. Open mouth at
urge to grind. Put tongue between teeth.
Special helpers: Consult dentist; teeth guard appliance. Consult
allergist; treat nasal allergies, environmental (bedroom) allergies."
BREAKING ANNOYING HABITS
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T064000.asp
Try distracting him with a toy or a picture book, or try giving him a
cracker or some other crunchy (toddler safe) snack to keep him busy
(that's better for him, and better for your nerves). Most kids
outgrow the habit soon enough, and it becomes a non-issue.
Of course, if he increases to excessive tooth grinding, to the point
that he's damaging his teeth, urge his mother to take him to see a
pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Hope this helps!
--Missy
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