Waking up and hearing your child grinding their teeth in the night is frightening. Not just the sound—parents freak out if it’s ruining their child’s teeth or something is wrong with their health. Grinding teeth during nighttime is called bruxism, it is common in kids, but what’s causing it and should you be bothered?
Let’s examine why children grind their teeth, how it will affect them, and what you can do about it.
Why Do Children Grind Their Teeth at Night?
Bruxism isn’t always a cause for concern, but understanding why may just fix the issue.
1. Teething and New Teeth Coming In
In children who are younger, bruxism can be related to eruption or teething of the permanent teeth. As they emerge, children will grind to adjust to how their teeth fit together or to get rid of pain.
2. Bite Issues or Crooked Teeth
If the teeth of the child are not aligned, they will grind naturally to fit well. This can happen with primary and permanent teeth as they emerge.
3. Stress and Anxiety
Children, like their parents, react to stress differently. Changes in habits, school stress, or emotional disorders may create bruxism as a defense mechanism to manage it.
4. Sleep Disorders
Bruxism has also been occasionally linked with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or recurring nightmares. Sleep apnea children have interruptions in breathing during sleep for a short duration of time, and grinding might be the compensation of the body for the interruption.
5. Medications and Hyperactivity
Kids with ADHD or those who are on some medications are prone to developing bruxism. Hyperactive kids, according to some research, cannot relax the muscles during sleep and therefore clench their teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Bruxism
Since grinding teeth during the night is done when asleep, it may be hard to catch. But there are some signs that may indicate your child grinds his or her teeth:
- Clicking and grinding sounds in the evening (most commonly perceived by parents or siblings)
- Mornings with sensitive mouths or pains in the jaws
- Sensitivities, worn, eroded, chipped, or fractured teeth
- Morning headaches after waking up
- Sensitive teeth in relation to cold and hot food, particularly after waking up in the morning
If all this happens regularly, then things must be getting to the root of the issue.
Does Grinding Teeth Irreversibly Harm Teeth?
Occasional grinding is not necessarily something to worry about and will stop spontaneously in most children with increasing age. Regular bruxism can, however, result in:
- Tooth Wear and Damage – Grinding wears away too much enamel, making teeth susceptible to cavities and sensitivity.
- Jaw Pain and TMJ Problems – Grinding repeatedly tightens jaw muscles, resulting in pain.
- Poor Quality Sleep – Grinding will interfere with a child’s sleep pattern, and they will be grumpy or drowsy all day.
- Headaches and Earaches – Grinding tension can lead to frequent headaches or earaches.
If your child suffers from chronic bruxism and is in pain, he or she needs to visit a pediatrician or a dentist.
How to Help Your Child to Stop Grinding Teeth
There is no single solution for bruxism, but there are things that can make your child’s teeth protective.
1. Establish a Soothing Bedtime Routine
Stress at the time can be a significant precipitating cause, and calming your child down before bed can prevent grinding. Try:
- Having a bedtime story read to them
- Listening to calming music
- Encourage slow breathing
2. Explore Underlying Stress or Anxiety
If you believe that stress is the reason for your child’s bruxism, talk over any problems that are worrying them. A sympathetic ear and reassurance can be great.
3. Fix Dental Issues
If your child has crooked teeth, a dentist can evaluate if orthodontic treatment might be needed. Fixing a bite problem might prevent grinding in some cases.
4. Consider a Night Guard
A denture night guard may be prescribed by a dentist for hard grinding leading to wear or tooth sensitivity. Soft mouth guards are pressed over teeth and stop additional wear.
5. Monitor Sleep Disorders
If your child is snoring, struggling through the night, or sleeping excessively during the day, sleep apnea may be the culprit. A doctor can order a sleep study.
6. Encourage Relaxation of Jaw
Having your child relax jaw muscles before bedtime will discourage clenching. Gentle massage or warm heat wraps on the jaw will suffice.
When to See a Doctor or Dentist
If your child is grinding teeth frequently and it’s causing pain, you need professional help. You need to book an appointment if:
- Grinding continues for many months without modification
- Your child is complaining of earaches, headaches, or jaw pain
- They have chipped or ground-down-appearing teeth
- They have sleep or breathing difficulty at night
A pediatrician can examine for evidence of tooth damage and assess whether treatment will be needed, and a dentist can examine to determine whether secondary conditions such as sleep apnea is a problem.
Will My Child Grow Out of Bruxism?
Fortunately, most kids do outgrow teeth grinding as they move toward better sleeping habits and their teeth settle into their newly established positions as adults.
Additionally, easy measures such as stress reduction, a good bedtime routine, and good dental check-ups can make their jaws and teeth healthy.
If you’re unsure whether your child’s teeth grinding is a temporary phase or a sign of something more serious, paying attention to their symptoms and looking for “best dentist near me” can provide peace of mind.