April Fast Flash From Dr. Elisa Tooth Grinding Parents are often concerned about children grinding their teeth when they sleep. Often, the first indication is the noise created by grinding. Or, the parent may notice wear which makes teeth look shorter than usual. One theory may have a psychological component. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc., can influence a child to grind their teeth. Another theory relates to pressure in the inner ear at night. If there are pressure changes (like in an airplane during take-off and landing) children may grind by moving their jaw to relieve pressure.   The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If excessive wear of the teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard (night guard) may be indicated. The negatives to a mouth guard are the possibility of choking if the appliance becomes dislodged during sleep and it may interfere with growth of the jaws. The positive is obvious by preventing wear to the primary dentition. The good news is most children outgrow bruxism. How To Prevent Cavities   Best Toothpaste For Kids   Pros & Cons of Flouride “I'm confident as a parent that if I have any questions or concerns, that I can sit down with Dr. Elisa or Dr. Linda and I can get good, honest answers. Knowing that you can come to an office and having someone tell you that everything is going to be ok, and actually make it ok, and be able to talk to a parent is really, really comforting.” “It was fun. The dentists were awesome, no pain and my teeth felt really clean. They always ask you before they're going to do something, they'll tell you exactly what they're going to do.” Our staff is highly qualified to create an educational, enjoyable and positive first visit.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that the first dental visit be at one year of age.  Children who have their first dental experience when they are young are more likely to have a favorable outlook toward dental care throughout life. You, as parents, play a very important role in getting  your child started with a positive attitude toward dental care. Because dental visits are an integral part of your child's total health program, we approach the first visit as a natural part of your concern for optimal health care for your child. We emphasize prevention and want to develop a dental home for your children. We are sure you agree it is best to avoid words that might cause unnecessary fear and concern, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. Our Doctors and our team have studied communication skills so they insure a fun, pleasant yet effective initial "preventive care" experience. Our Preventive Care consists of: •  Thorough communication to discover your child's emotional needs. •  Comprehensive clinical discovery and examination. •  Preventive prophylaxis (hygiene/cleaning). •  Fluoride treatment. •  Comprehensive oral hygiene recommendations by the Doctor. •  Oral hygiene instructions by a personally trained pediatric dental assistant. •  Orthodontic/developmental evaluation.  (A referral to an orthodontist if  needed)