Teeth Grinding in Children - Symptoms and Causes

 Sleep Bruxism or Teeth Grinding as we commonly refer to it, is a common problem in children. In one study,” Overall, 36.8% of preschool respondents reported bruxists at least one night a week, and 6.7% the  children responded bruxists for more than four nights a week. Conversely, 49.6% of first-graders reported experience teeth grinding at least one night per week, and 10.7% children reported teeth grinding for more than four nights a week. ”

As the paper confirms, while some children experience teeth grinding for a limited period, others carry it into adulthood. Therefore, teeth grinding in children can create severe problems in future, so parents need to consult a dentist on time.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

It is difficult for parents to realise their child is teeth grinding as the symptoms can also relate to other ailments.

The most common symptoms of teeth grinding can be:

●    Headache
●    Earache
●    Jaw pain
●    Chipped teeth
●    Worn teeth
●    Neck pain
●    Soft tissue damage in the mouth
●    Frequent waking during the night

It is also seen that few children clench their teeth during the day. Teeth clenching can happen due to anxiety, or it can also be a habit. Clenching strains the jaw and can lead to a painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) over time.

Causes of Teeth Grinding in Children

Although there can be several reasons for teeth grinding, one of the major ones is misaligned teeth.
Some children experience teeth grinding for a short time due to shifting and realigning the teeth. This results in some discomfort at night, and kids start grinding their teeth in response.

Many children may show short-term signs of teeth grinding while suffering from a short-term illness or allergy, but the problem of teeth grinding sub-sides once the illness disappears.

Other causes of Teeth Grinding in Children:

●    If teeth are close to each other and result in poor biting.
●    Anxiety, fear and stress are also common causes of grinding.
●    Hyperactivity also causes teeth grinding among kids.
●    Children with cerebral palsy also grind their teeth.
●    Medications effects
●    Dehydration also causes bruxism in children and adults.

Advice for Parents

If you suspect that your child does teeth grinding at night, we recommend you visit them during the night at different intervals. Try to listen to the noises they make. Once you realise that your child does teeth grinding, fix an appointment with your child’s dentist. Discuss the symptoms with them and ask them to check the signs of bruxism.

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