Teeth grinding often occurs with children, especially while they sleep. Speak with your dentist if you are worried about your child’s teeth grinding or clenching (also known as bruxism). Here are a few facts about bruxism in children that may help you understand it better.
- Bruxism isn’t unusual. It happens with 15-30% of children.
- You can tell if you child has bruxism if you hear them grinding their teeth while they sleep. More severe symptoms (in which you should visit your dentist) may involve tooth wear or pain in the teeth, jaw, or head.
- The most common cause of children grinding and clenching their teeth is because of the eruption of baby or permanent teeth.
- Other causes of bruxism may include medical conditions, dehydration, crooked teeth, anxiety, or irritation in the mouth.
- Most kids grow out of teeth grinding after their permanent teeth come in.
- Except for severe cases, bruxism in children usually doesn’t need to be treated since a child’s mouth is constantly changing.
- Teeth grinding in children doesn’t often cause damage. If it does, it is usually done to baby teeth that will fall out anyways.
- Treatments of bruxism in children may include wearing a night guard, decreasing anxiety, or drinking plenty of water.