My Child Grinds Their Teeth

There are many reasons why your child might grind their teeth. Yet, they might not even be aware that they are grinding or clenching their teeth during the night.

While teeth grinding, professionally referred to as sleep bruxism, isn’t considered dangerous itself, it can lead to problems such as damaged teeth and jaw pain. Fortunately, most children will grow out of this habit when their adult teeth come in.

Possible Causes of Teeth Grinding

Research has shown evidence that certain factors can increase the probability of sleep bruxism. These factors include:

• Stress and anxiety

• Misaligned teeth

• Sleep disorders and mental disorders such as migraines or ADHD

• Second-hand smoke

• Dental appliances

What You Can Do to Help

While there is typically no clear way to solve sleep bruxism, a few options may help.

• Ask your dentist to fit your child for a mouthguard. A mouthguard prevents contact between the top and bottom teeth, so they don’t grind against each other. In addition to reducing friction, they can also reposition the jaw. 

• Talk to your child about potential stressors they may be experiencing. You can suggest or help them practice relaxation and stress management techniques. 

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine to improve your child’s sleep quality. This may include a quiet dark room, a nutritious diet, and limited screen time before bed. 

• Relieve soreness. If your child is in pain from sore teeth or gums, you can try a cold or hot compress, encourage them to drink water, and avoid excessively chewy or hard foods. 

For more information on bruxism, call our Perry Dental & Perry Dental Kids staff. We are happy to help your child with their teeth grinding.