7yo grinds teeth

[misssCa]

Posting on behalf of my sister concerning her DD.

She's recently turned 7 years old and lost her two front bottom teeth 4-5 months ago. They grew through well however DN always grinds her teeth, often purposely because she says she likes the feel.

Because of this her top two front teeth (still baby teeth) have been worn down to the point where they are almost in line with her gums.

My sister has questioned whether they hurt when she eats or just in general and DN claims they dont. DN is very good at keeping her teeth clean and brushes morning and night.

When you look at the teeth with DN head tilted back the teeth have a circle in the middle (going up through the tooth, if that makes sense), I know nothing about teeth I'm guessing this is the root? Nerve? Something along those lines...

DN is deathly afraid of the dentist. She thrashes about, bites and screams. Every time she gets punished, but the behaviour continues at each appointment and they end up leaving with no answers and no check up.

So that's why we have come to MN.

Is there any other parents who have also struggled with similar issues with their DC? Have the teeth fallen out on their own? DSIS is worried they will require being extracted which will only add to DN fear of the dentist even more.

Also, any advice on how to calm DN at the dentist and make it a more enjoyable experience instead?

Worn central incisors is fairly normal in children. She is 7 they will fall out soon, if they aren't hurting her (and I think it's very unlikely) I wouldn't worry at all. The circle is probably the dentine, however it might be where the pulp would be.

Check the amount of acid in her diet, a lot of the time it can be caused by a diet high in acidic foods/drinks combined with grinding.

Is DN actually scared, or is she acting up? If shes scared punishing her is really the wrong thing to do. I generally finds punishments dont get children to behave at the dentists tbh regardless

If she is scared, why? What has made her scared? Has she had a bad experience, are Dsis/bil scared? She needs to learn there's nothing to be scared of and needs some positive trips to the dentist, an appointment where she sits in the chair and has nothing done. Then an appointment where she goes back in the chair, pressing the buttons herself etc. Then looking at her own teeth with a mirror. Some acclimitisation. Reading books about the dentists etc. See if she can have a few really basic appointments at the dentists in a row

If her dentist can't you could ask about a referral to the community dental service who deal with children with anxiety or sn. They generally have more time to spend with their patients and have time to spend building up DCs confidence