Teeth grinding in children
If, at night, instead of a child's peaceful sleep, we hear teeth grinding recurring from time to time, it may be bruxism. Statistically, about 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. If the child's teeth look worn or if the child complains of pain when consuming cold or warm food, it is worth reporting this problem to a dentist.
Parents often notice the problem of teeth grinding in their children. This problem can appear suddenly at various stages of development. It is comforting, however, that this phenomenon begins to disappear over time. As a rule, the problem of teeth grinding appears when our child begins to lose their first teeth, i.e., baby teeth. Doctors do not fully know where the phenomenon of teeth grinding comes from, but it affects a significant portion of children of various ages.
Is teeth grinding dangerous for our children's health?
Doctors unanimously agree that this is not a major problem. Most often, there is also no damage to the surface of the teeth, but this possibility must nevertheless be taken into account. When we notice that our child is starting to grind their teeth, we should first think about whether they have been experiencing some stressful moments lately. Parents of many children notice that their little ones start to grind their teeth after an argument with friends or siblings. It also happens that children grind their teeth during academic problems or due to setbacks in the sport they play. As long as our child does not start grinding their teeth very intensely and frequently, we should not worry about it too much. In such a case, however, we must remain vigilant and constantly monitor the situation. As of now, there is no medicine for teeth grinding. However, it is possible to influence the child to some extent so that they are calmer before going to sleep. Studies conducted have shown that for children who notoriously grind their teeth, talking and the presence of parents before bedtime helps a lot. The child then falls asleep calmer and has a better sleep. This translates directly into teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding and malocclusion
It can be observed that children with malocclusion are much more likely to grind their teeth than children with an even bite. In such cases, it would be beneficial to visit an orthodontist, who can be helpful in this situation. Thanks to appropriate splints worn on the teeth before sleeping, they will be protected from wearing down. It is also worth considering straightening the arch in our children to ensure their bite is even. This will prevent similar problems in the future and, additionally, will make our child feel more confident. After noticing teeth grinding in our children, it is worth visiting an orthodontist even for a check-up to ensure that our children's bite is correct and that their teeth are growing in the way they should in children.
If at night, instead of your child sleeping peacefully, you hear teeth grinding repeating from time to time, it may be bruxism. Statistically, about 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. If a child's teeth look worn down or if the child complains of pain when consuming cold or hot foods, it is worth reporting this problem to a dentist.
Similarly, when we observe symptoms such as bleeding gums, or biting of the tongue and cheeks. Usually, preschool-aged children do not require dental intervention; however, older children may need temporary splints to protect their teeth and prevent excessive grinding and wearing down of the teeth during sleep.
Bruxism
Bruxism, the medical term for occasional (occurring during sleep) teeth grinding, usually does not cause major damage to the teeth. Most people naturally gnash and clench their teeth from time to time. The problem arises when the grinding occurs very regularly, as this increases the risk of damage.
Children who grind their teeth usually do so in two periods. The first time is when baby teeth emerge, and then during the eruption of permanent teeth. Most children lose the habit of grinding their teeth after their baby teeth, and then permanent teeth, are fully formed. Children most often gnash and grind their teeth during sleep, very rarely while awake. It is not known exactly why this happens.
Among the most common causes mentioned are:
Psychological factors, including anxiety and stress
Occlusal disease - improperly aligned jaw teeth in relation to the maxilla (irregular contact between upper and lower teeth)
Naturally occurring changes within the jaw and maxilla caused by growth
Conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, allergies, endocrine disorders
Parasitic diseases (pinworms)
Neurological diseases (schizophrenia, ADHD, cerebral palsy, autism)
Grinding of baby teeth rarely causes serious problems, but it can cause jaw pain, headaches, and excessive wear of the tooth surfaces.
Tips
Here are a few tips to follow before bedtime to reduce the likelihood of teeth grinding:
Reducing stress in the child, especially right before sleep
Applying massage and stretching or muscle-relaxing exercises
Checking if the child's diet includes plenty of water (dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding)
If the dentist suspects that bruxism is caused by excessive stress, it is worth considering an additional consultation with other specialists (psychologist, neurologist) who may be helpful in diagnosing the root cause. They can also propose pharmacological or physiotherapeutic treatment appropriate to the observed symptoms.
If teeth grinding is caused by a malocclusion, you should seek help from an orthodontist. To prevent tooth wear, the orthodontist will prepare special bite splints (night guards) which, when worn at night, will effectively protect the child's teeth.
