Should My Preschooler See A Pediatric Dentist for Teeth Grinding?

I planned on waiting until my daughter was in elementary school to bring her to the dentist. She is a little (lot) on the hyperactive side and I didn’t want to drive a dentist batty. However, I’m worried I need a change of plans. I went into her bedroom the other night to put some of her clothes away. She was sound asleep, but was grinding her teeth like crazy. Is this normal?

Adrianne L – Oregon

Adrianne,

I have a mixed message for you. First, this is perfectly normal. Many children grind their teeth and many children outgrow it. But, here’s the mixed message. I still think you need to change your plan and take your daughter to a dentist.

I realize she’s an active child, but dentists who enjoy working with children are perfectly comfortable with that. They have means of helping children with their wiggles.

You want your daughter’s first experience with the dentist to be a pleasant one. If you wait until her elementary years (and here you’re assuming/wishing her hyperactive side will just fade away), she’s likely to develop a cavity and her first experience with the dentist will be much more scary than it needs to be.

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