We are living in times that are more stressful than most of us have lived through before. This affects adults, but it also affects kids. Children, like adults, are social beings, and being at home for a year with only online school can have negative effects on their minds and bodies. They’re also experiencing the worry of a pandemic that they don’t fully understand but that is talked about on the news, by their parents, and even in school. This can all lead to a great deal of stress, and many children respond to stress by developing habits like bruxism.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your kids if they seem to be dealing with excessive levels of stress, including:
Let your child know when you notice something is bothering them in a non-accusatory way. This is just an observation that lets your child know you care about what’s going on with them and are available if they want to talk.
Listen when your child talks about what’s bothering them. Don’t attempt to fix the problem or play it down. Obviously, it matters to your child. Let them take the time they need to get everything out in the open.
Let your child know you listened to them by restating what they said, giving the feeling a label. By putting their feelings into words, you give them a vocabulary that can help them understand what they are feeling both now and in the future.
If there’s a specific situation causing stress, help your child brainstorm ideas on how they can handle it. Ask them how they think each idea will work. Encourage them to implement the idea they feel is best or guide them gently to a better idea.
After listening to your child, be willing to move on. Sometimes all they need to do is express their feelings and know that they have been heard by someone who cares. At that point, something more fun can be the best thing for them.
Limit your child’s day-to-day demands. If too many activities are causing them stress, for example, limit their activities. Also, be aware of what you talk about around them when you are stressed out. They may not understand, but they can pick up on your concern.
Spend time with your child just being together. They may not want to talk about what’s stressing them out, but knowing you’re there gives them the comfort that if they do, they can.
While these tips and tricks can certainly make a difference as you address your child’s stress levels, they don’t target bruxism itself. Strategies focused on improving your child’s mood and emotional state can reduce stress and teeth grinding in the long run, but in the meantime, you need something that can provide results right now. That’s where CustMbite comes in.