Teeth Grinding in Children

By Dr. Mohsen Alozaibi, Tiny Teeth Dental Center, Abu Dhabi

"It sounds like he's chewing gravel in his sleep!" Many parents first notice teeth grinding when they hear it through the bedroom door. The sound can be alarming, but grinding (called bruxism) is common in children, and in most cases it is mild and fades with time.

How common is it, and why does it happen?

Grinding or clenching the teeth is seen in a large number of young children, usually during sleep. It often appears when baby teeth are coming in and again when adult teeth arrive, and many children grow out of it by the time their adult teeth are settled.

There is rarely one single cause. Things that may play a part include:

• New teeth coming in, as the child's bite changes and settles.
• Stress or excitement, such as starting school, a new sibling, moving house or exams.
• Sleep-related breathing problems. Grinding sometimes goes together with snoring, mouth breathing or restless sleep. If your child snores most nights, sleeps with their mouth open or seems tired during the day, mention it to your dentist or paediatrician, as large tonsils or adenoids can be involved.
• Other factors, such as certain medicines, or some medical and developmental conditions. Your doctor can advise if this applies to your child.

Signs to look out for

• Grinding or clicking noises during sleep
• Teeth that look flat, short or worn down, especially the canines and back teeth
• Complaints of jaw ache, face pain or headache in the morning
• Teeth that become sensitive to cold
• A sore jaw when chewing

Many children have no symptoms at all, and the grinding is only noticed by a sibling sharing the room.

What the dentist checks

At a check-up, your dentist will usually:

• look at the pattern and amount of wear on the teeth
• check the jaw joints and chewing muscles
• look at how the teeth bite together
• ask about sleep, snoring, mouth breathing and anything that has been stressful lately

Mild wear on baby teeth is very common and often just needs monitoring at regular visits. Your dentist may compare photos or notes over time to see if the wear is progressing.

Does my child need a night guard?

Usually not, at least in young children. A child's mouth is growing and teeth are changing quickly, so a guard can stop fitting well and may get in the way of normal development. Night guards are more often considered for older children or teenagers with adult teeth who have significant wear or pain. Your dentist will advise based on your child's age and situation.

What can help at home

1. A calm bedtime routine. A bath, a story and a predictable bedtime help the body wind down. 2. Screens off at least an hour before sleep. 3. Talk about worries. A few quiet minutes at bedtime to chat about the day can ease stress your child may not mention otherwise. 4. Avoid caffeine, including cola, iced tea and energy drinks, especially in the afternoon and evening. 5. Plenty of water during the day, and a regular sleep schedule. 6. Don't wake your child just to stop the grinding. It usually isn't necessary.

When to see the dentist

Book a visit if you notice visible wear or chipping, if your child complains of jaw pain, headaches or sensitive teeth, or if the grinding comes with loud snoring, pauses in breathing or very restless sleep.