Bruxism: Why Do Kids Grind Their Teeth at Night?

What is Bruxism?

Involuntary teeth clenching, grinding, and gnashing is known as bruxism. Sometimes, you don’t even realise your children have bruxism (I.e., teeth grinding at night). When you check on them in the middle of night, you see their tense, clamped jaw. This condition causes repetitive grinding or clenching of teeth.

There are two types of bruxism: sleep and waking bruxism. It is difficult to identify sleep bruxism in children.

When kids are nervous during the day, they occasionally grind their teeth but most kids eventually quit on their own. This also occurs when kids lose their milk teeth. Bruxism can raise the risk of developing various ailments, such as:

• Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder

• Mental health issues like anxiety and depression

• Eating disorders

• Sleep issues

• Receding gums, fractured teeth, and other issues associated with the jaw and teeth

Why Do Kids Grind Their Teeth?

Teeth grinding in children are common and typically not a reason to get alarmed. It's not always easy to identify the precise cause. The reason for bruxism in children varies based on their age. Toddlers may grind their teeth to explore their mouth or ease the discomfort associated with teething. Most children eventually stop grinding their teeth when they reach the age of six or seven.

In school-going children, waking bruxism is a common condition which may not require treatment or result in any problems. However, it may indicate that your child is under stress or has anxiety issues.

Additional risk factors for children's teeth-grinding bruxism include:

• Stress and anxiety

• Misaligned teeth

• Other health conditions, including ADHD and migraines

• Certain medications

• Exposure to second-hand smoke

• Sleep apnoea

• Snoring and night terrors

• Allergies

Causes

Kids might grind their teeth for a few reasons, including:

• Stress and anxiety

• Malocclusion or teeth that aren’t aligned properly

• Response of earache or teething

• Medical reasons such as cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, or some types of medicines.

Signs Your Child May Be Grinding Their Teeth at Night

Many kids who grind their teeth don’t know they do. Some signs to watch for:

• grinding noises when your child is sleeping

• complaints of a sore jaw or face or headaches after waking up in the morning

• pain with chewing along with tooth sensitivity

• Tooth damage

Treatment for Bruxism

Following are some treatment options that the dentist might suggest—

• Mouthguard

To lessen the force of a bite and stop tooth damage, plastic mouthguards can be worn during the day or at night.

• Medicine

Neurotransmitters in the brain may be involved in certain situations. Medication prescribed by the doctors can control those neurotransmitters and lessen the grinding in this situation.

• Proper Bedtime Routine and Sleep Hygiene

Sleep bruxism is somewhat related to sleep quality. So, you must try to improve your child’s sleep by ensuring that he/she gets ample sleep without using electronic gadgets.

• Behaviour therapy

Instruction in behaviour modification, like teaching a child how to rest their lips, tongue, and teeth correctly, is known as behaviour therapy.

• Dental work

Adjusting your child's teeth may assist if they are grinding them because of crooked teeth.

Use a hot/cold compress, ensure adequate hydration, and avoid chewing gum and hard food to relieve symptoms. These measures may help soothe painful teeth and jaws. Consult your dentist and learn about facial massage techniques and stretching exercises.

Conclusion

Bruxism can occur anytime, whether the child is awake or asleep, and if left untreated, it can cause jaw joints, muscles, and teeth issues. So, if your children have tight jaw muscles or pain when they wake up, consider seeking medical intervention.

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Source: kidshealth.org, familydoctor.org, monavaledental.com.au

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on January 16, 2024