Kids Grinding Teeth: What Parents Need To Know

You might not realize your kids are doing it at first. But then you notice it. You check on them during the night and notice the clenched, tight jaw. Or, in the silence of the night, you hear the scraping, popping, or crunching sound as their teeth grate against each other. And you wonder, why do kids grind their teeth at night?
Maybe you notice it while they're awake. They may be doing homework, watching TV, or playing with a friend. But you see the hardened jaw or hear the sounds of tooth against the tooth. 
This is bruxism, more commonly called teeth grinding. And it's not good for your child's teeth. 

 Why Do Kids Grind Their Teeth At Night

There are a couple of theories about why kids grind their teeth at night. According to the Mayo Clinic , it may result from a combination of genetic, psychological and physical factors. It could also be chewing activity related to arousal during sleep. 
Talking to your child and their pediatric dentist may help you determine the cause of your child grinding their teeth. However, kids grinding teeth is common, so while you should have your child examined, it is not something that you need to be overly concerned about. 

Risks of Teeth Grinding

Continued teeth grinding can lead to the following: 

• Flat, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
• Worn tooth enamel that exposes the deeper layers of the tooth
• Increased tooth sensitivity or pain
• Damage to the mouth from chewing on the inside of the cheeks
• Dull, constant or almost constant headaches
• A tight, tired, or locked jaw that remains partially open
• Pain or soreness in the neck, face, or jaw
• An earache-type feeling, though there is nothing wrong with the ear
• Disrupted sleep

Common Treatments for Teeth Grinding in Kids

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , treatment for kids grinding teeth depends on several factors, including:

• The child's age
• Their overall health and medical history
• How well the dentist believes they can handle specific medicines, therapies, or procedures
• The child's personal preferences (depending on age)

Some potential treatments that you and your child's dentist may explore include the following: 

• Mouthguards: Plastic mouthguards can be worn at night or during the day to absorb the force of the bite and avoid further damage to the teeth.
• Medicine: In some cases, neurotransmitters in the brain may be involved. When this is the case, medication may help to regulate those neurotransmitters and ease the grinding. 
• Biofeedback: This relies on a device that measures the muscle activity in the mouth and jaw and signals the user when it reaches a certain level so they can become aware and change the behavior. This works best for teeth grinding in kids during the day but is less effective for sleep grinding. 
• Behavior therapy: Teaching the child to make behavior changes, such as how to rest their tongue, teeth, and lips properly. 
• Dental work: If your child is grinding their teeth due to misaligned teeth, getting their teeth fixed may help.
• Talking about their problems: If your child's grinding is caused by stress, anxiety, frustration, or other emotions, talking about those feelings and what is causing them may help. 

Talking to Your Child and Improving Sleep Hygiene to Stop Grinding

As mentioned before, in some cases, bruxism can be caused by feelings such as stress, anxiety, frustration, or anger. Therefore, one thing parents can do to ease or eliminate teeth grinding is talk to their children and improve their sleep hygiene.
Many kids grinding teeth aren't even aware that they do it. Talking to them and gently making them aware of it without shaming or embarrassing them is a good first step in helping your child overcome bruxism. In case the grinding is due to emotions, it's also a good idea to talk to your child and encourage them to share any problems, fears, worries, or doubts that are on their minds with you.
Improving your child's sleep hygiene may include doing things like: 

• Making sure that you have and follow a consistent, calming bedtime routine. This can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on what you and your child include. 
• Ensuring that your home is relaxing as bedtime nears. Put away stimulating toys and games and bring out more relaxing options like books
• Moving dinner to an earlier time gives your child more time to digest their meal before bed. 

Tips to Reduce or Eliminate Nighttime Teeth Grinding in Kids

Improving sleep hygiene can help with teeth grinding in kids, but there are still a few more things you can do that may help. Along with breaking other bad teeth habits, consider helping your child implement the following:

• Avoid sugary snacks before bedtime. 
• Avoid hard, dense, or chewy foods such as bagels, nuts, or tough cuts of meat.
• Avoid other foods that are bad for teeth . 
• Don't give your child medications with stimulant ingredients. This can include cough medicines and decongestants, so check labels carefully. 
• Reduce stress.
• Learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or body scans . 
• Massage the shoulders, neck and face. 
• Relax the face throughout the day. 

Bring Grinding to a Halt

Teeth grinding in kids is common, but it can damage their teeth, so you want to try to get it under control as quickly as possible once you're aware of it. Improving sleep hygiene, introducing stress management and relaxation techniques, and avoiding foods or drinks that may trigger teeth grinding can also be helpful. Consult with a dentist at Sweet Tooth if your child is showing signs of teeth grinding.
You can learn more about bruxism at Nemours Kids Health , Sleep Foundation , and the Cleveland Clinic .
If you're concerned about your kids grinding teeth, contact Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry today!