Does your child grind his teeth at night? (Bruxism)

Nocturnal grinding of teeth, also known as bruxism, is a common condition of many children. While most children outgrow bruxism between the ages of 9-12, it can cause serious dental problems over time if not corrected. As a parent, it is important to recognize bruxism, the causes, and the possible treatments.

Many parents often become concerned about their child grinding their teeth at night. The primary indicator is the sound created by the child as he or she grinds their teeth while sleeping. The parent may also notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to their child's teeth. While recognizing bruxism is fairly easy, determining the causes and appropriate treatment is not so clear. Although a definite cause has yet to be determined, dentists contribute grinding to several theories. One theory is that it is due to stress. Increased anxiety as a result of a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc. can influence a child to grind their teeth. Another theory has to do with the pressure in the inner ear at night. When present, pressure changes, such as that experienced in an airplane during take-off and landing, can cause a child to grind his or her teeth as they move their jaw in attempt to relieve this pressure.

The positive news about bruxism is that most cases do not require any treatment. However, if there is excessive wear to the teeth, a mouth guard (or night guard) might be necessary. While a mouth guard does prevent wear to the teeth, there is risk of choking if it becomes dislodged during sleep, and it may hinder the growth of your child's jaws.

If you believe your child has bruxism, and you are not sure what to do, or if you fear your child will not outgrow it, contact your pediatrician or dentist for additional advice.