The majority of children who grind their teeth never report any pain or discomfort, even when severe wear on the primary teeth is observed. Most children will grow out of this habit without dental intervention.
However, if your child or teenager is experiencing a sore jaw or “popping” sound when they open their mouth, this may mean they are experiencing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. TMJ disorder or TMD
(temporomandibular joint disorder) is characterized by pain in the joint, difficulty chewing or limitation of jaw movement and may require further treatment.
If you are concerned that your child or teen may be experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us for a proper diagnosis. Our new digital 3D scanner and software can help us analyze your child’s occlusion (the relationship between upper and lower teeth when they approach each other). We can recommend if treatment is needed, such as a custom nightguard, referral to an orthodontist or a TMJ specialist. For more information about how our digital 3D scanner helps us to make the right recommendations, check out our blog.
