All Communities > Moms to children with Down syndrome > Anyone have suggestions for teeth grinding?

Anyone have suggestions for teeth grinding?

Naomi - posted on 01/30/2011 ( 4 moms have responded )

4

35

My daughter grinds her teeth incessantly. She used to have a beautiful smile but she has gritted one of her front teeth away so badly that it looks chipped. Thank goodness these are only her baby teeth! But she's 7 years old, so I know she'll be losing those soon and I'm worried about her grinding her permanent teeth. I tell her to stop all the time, and so does her big brother. I've made her teachers and therapists aware of this problem also so they can remind her to stop when she's in school or therapy, but she usually goes right back to doing it. I've started giving her chewing gum because she's finally able to spit it out when she's done rather than swallowing it but I was just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions. Thanks!

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

4 Comments

View replies by

Mary - posted on 07/28/2012

3

0

My son who is 5 also does this. He has also been given a " T " which i think is no better than a dummy that will create a bad habit and other speech problems. He only seems to do it when he is consintrating

Katie - posted on 05/15/2011

4

0

Hi Naomi!



My daughter is 6 and does this as well. We use something we got from her OT at school and we call it a "T", though just like Cindy, I have no idea what the technical name for it is. It helps some but it seems to just be a bad habit at this point. My daughter stimms as well (taps front of her mouth). Just like the teeth grinding, what originally was a tool she used to "self-soothe", has now become a bad habit.



We are working with her behavioral tutor to correct this, and eventually also the teeth grinding. Her dentist thinks that the grinding will decrease as her new molars come in, since her teeth will then be uneven and will be less "comfortable" for her to do.



Do you work with a behavioral tutor though Regional Services provided by your state? What has your dentist recommended? Our dentist has said that we aren't to worry about it until it's her permanent teeth.

Sylvia - posted on 04/10/2011

126

30

dentist can make your child a shild to sleep in if dose at night but not when awake

Cindy - posted on 03/28/2011

2

20

My son is 7 and also does this. He has since he first began to get teeth. I have noticed he does it most when he is tired or bored. Like you we try and tell him to stop, but his speech therapist sent him home with a chew type mouth toy that is suppost to aid with teeth grinding. Im really not sure of the medical name for the toy and have not yet seen any progress with the teeth grinding but if it seems to work i will update and let you know what the name of the gadget is. Sorry i couldnt be more help! Good luck and keep me updated if you find something that works for your lil one!

Powered by RESPECT not THUMPS

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll