Teeth Grinding In Children | Tips From A Dentist Near Me

What’s Behind Teeth Grinding In Children?

What You Should Know.

What is teeth grinding in children?

Teeth grinding in children (and adults) is also known as bruxism, which is something that can be common in kids under the age of 11. Some doctors do consider this to be normal behavior. Statistics show that roughly 2 to 3 out of every ten children have bruxism.

You may not know exactly what to tell the doctor when calling, and that’s okay. For quick reference, here are four excellent ways to effectively narrow it down:

Ask your child if they are upset or worried about anything. If possible, try to help them eliminate or limit stressors.
Try to monitor your child as they are sleeping or if they share a room, ask their sibling for any signs. If you suspect your child has sleep apnea, consult a pediatrician. They will make every effort to address all concerns.
Check your child’s teeth or casually mention it to their dentist/pediatrician. Teeth that are all the same length or have a flat appearance may be a sign of bruxism. Any Lincoln dentist, or children’s dentist, whether you’ve taken your child in to be checked specifically for bruxism or a routine check-up, should be able to easily spot any signs of bruxism.
Listen to what your child is saying. Ask if they have any jaw discomfort. If the discomfort is intense enough, they may mention it to you before you even ask them. Discomfort can be a very positive sign that they are grinding their teeth at night.

What is bruxism, why does my child do it, and what if it goes untreated?

Mother holding a young child. Teeth grinding in children is common and can be addressed by a dentist in Lincoln, NE at Coddington Dental.

Listing all of the reasons a child may grind their teeth could take an excessive amount of time, but one of the biggest reasons, however, could be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea that goes untreated can also be responsible for a host of other medical issues such as depression, which may be responsible for your child’s stress or anxiety. Therefore, this can often lead to nighttime bruxism.

Should I try to figure out what to tell the pediatrician before I call?

While there may be many contributing factors in addition to those mentioned above, you may be wondering what is the most effective way to help your child?

First, it is important to recognize potential issues and know that there is treatment available. But, you may wonder should you even bother fixing it or will they outgrow it? Can it be dangerous? The short answer is, yes. You should fix it because it can be dangerous.

Aside from underlying medical issues such as stress, anxiety, and sleep apnea here are a few additional reasons that may cause teeth grinding in children:

Hyperactivity – this is when kids exhibit large amounts of energy or are incredibly active.
Reaction to a medication – evaluate whether your child has been on medication or consider this if they have recently started something new.
Cerebral Palsy – You may be asking yourself just how common is bruxism concerning CP? Findings in recent statistics show that roughly three out of every ten children suffer from bruxism and it is entirely possible that this number may be growing since this is something that can go unnoticed. Typically, most children will outgrow bruxism, which is excellent news!
Genetics – This is another factor to consider. Often, this can be overlooked. If one family member has bruxism, it is possible that your child may have it too.

While you may not think bruxism is dangerous, you should take this condition seriously. Bruxism can have lasting effects if not treated properly. Things your child may experience from grinding their teeth are:

Ruining the enamel of their teeth. Once that enamel is gone, there is no way to replace it. The softer part of the tooth (dentin) is then exposed, which can lend itself to a host of problems.
Inadequate rest. We all know rest is an essential part of a happy, healthy life for anyone. Bruxism can affect the quality of sleep, and in children, this could lead to problems at school, depression, and behavioral issues.
Your child may also experience discomfort. It’s hard to watch someone hurt, especially your child. Jaw discomfort, headaches, and earaches are all common forms of discomfort that can be experienced by children who grind their teeth.
Last but not least, your child could continue to suffer from unresolved medical issues. For example, children who are considered mouth breathers or those who suffer from adenotonsillar hypertrophy, a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea, typically also suffer from bruxism. Sleep apnea should be taken seriously. It has negative impacts on many vital organs of the body (heart, lungs, etc.) Also, those with dental occlusion problems and psychological problems may be at higher risk.

How is bruxism, or teeth grinding in children, treated?

First and foremost, verify that the grinding hasn’t caused significant damage. If it hasn’t, the child may outgrow it, but if you feel you would still like to address it, start by narrowing down the cause of your child grinding their teeth. If the reason is due to stress or anxiety, it may be a good idea to target the underlying issue rather than merely treating the grinding. After all, addressing the “main” problem could be more useful later in life. Finally, be sure to get your child into the dentist. Have them take a closer look. There is a good chance that they will want them to wear a nightguard, which is a relatively simple device worn at night and may go a long way in promoting the oral and overall health of your child.

Ultimately, treating major medical problems will be crucial to the overall health of your child. The cycle of treating sleep apnea can help with mouth breathing, which will help the depression and anxiety. Addressing the depression, anxiety, apnea, and mouth breathing will also help reduce the frequency and occurrence of teeth grinding.

commonly asked questions about teeth grinding in children

A smiling young child. Seeing a gentle family dentist in Lincoln, NE at Coddington Dental can help ensure that teeth grinding in children doesn't become a bigger problem for your child.

How do I stop my child from grinding their teeth at night?

There tends to be a series of things that should be controlled to help a child who grinds their teeth. Limit stress specifically right before bed, try a massage or stretching exercises that can help promote relaxation, encourage a healthy diet, and of course make sure you see a dentist regularly.

Is teeth grinding a sign of autism?

While every child who grinds their teeth does not have autism, it most certainly is one of the behavior exhibited by children who do have autism. Children with autism tend to be heavy grinders. Routine oral care can be very difficult in children who have autism. See more information here regarding autism and teeth grinding.

Is it normal for babies to grind their teeth?

Babies may grind their teeth for several reasons: the biggest reason being pain associated with teething. However, there may be other reasons, so be sure to check with a pediatrician, a Lincoln dentist, or a children’s dentist, and they can guide you in the right direction for treatment.

Why do toddlers grind their teeth during the day?

Teeth grinding is common when they sleep, but they may also be prone to doing it during the day. Just as an infant grinds their teeth in response to pain, a toddler may do the same. Perhaps it could be a result of certain medications, or medical conditions such as CP (cerebral palsy). Find out more about what might be behind their teeth grinding.

If you are unsure where to start, you can always ask your pediatrician. He or she can provide recommendations for dentists for teeth grinding in children in Lincoln, NE. He or she will guide you in the right direction. A children’s dentist or family dentist in Lincoln, NE can also give you his/her professional opinion. We all know that a growing body needs plenty of rest. Happy kids mean happy parents!