Bite Checks

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, we of Bridge Smiles Dental Group want to remind the families we care for why bite checks are so important. Children’s biannual dental examinations are an opportunity to do deep cleanings and provide sealants as a defense against decay. But they’re also an opportunity for us to monitor the progression of our patients’ permanent teeth and determine whether they’re chewing comfortably or grinding their teeth.

Bruxism, nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching, is a common reaction to stress. It could also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, which forces the body to reposition the jaw to open the upper throat’s airways. It can cause pain that radiates to the rest of the head, neck, and shoulders and cause difficulty opening the mouth (a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder). It also may weaken the gingival ligaments holding teeth in place or cause the teeth to erode or crack.

During the examination, our hygienists will look for signs of bruxism on a patient’s enamel. They may also do a tactile test of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the head, ask the patient to demonstrate closing their teeth together, and ask about the patient’s comfort when chewing or after waking up. A night guard can protect a patient from bruxism, but we may refer pediatric patients for orthodontic assessments if we think a bite disorder is due to tooth misalignment or has pushed teeth out of place.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.