Short answer: Teeth grinding in children (bruxism) is mostly the clenching or rubbing together of the teeth during sleep and is common in preschool and primary school age. In many children it decreases with age and does not require treatment. If there is snoring, mouth breathing, jaw pain, noticeable tooth wear or sensitivity, an assessment by a dentist and, if necessary, a pediatrician is recommended.
The grinding sound coming from a child's room at night worries many parents. Teeth grinding in children, medically called bruxism, is a condition in which the teeth are involuntarily clenched or rubbed against each other. Although it is common, in most children it is a temporary phase that eases on its own without causing permanent damage. Still, in some cases it can be a sign of an underlying problem. In this article we look at the causes and symptoms of bruxism in children and the situations in which you should see a doctor.
What is bruxism in children?
Bruxism in children is clenching or grinding the teeth, usually during sleep and sometimes unconsciously during the day. Sleep bruxism is the more common type in children; the child is usually unaware of it, and it is generally noticed because a parent hears the sound. Daytime bruxism mostly appears as clenching the teeth during tasks that require intense concentration or in moments of tension.
Even during the period when baby teeth are coming in, that is, in infancy, the teeth may be rubbed together; this can be part of the child exploring their newly erupted teeth. Nighttime grinding, which is common in the preschool and primary school years, decreases noticeably in many children with the transition to permanent teeth.
What causes teeth grinding in children?
There is no single cause of teeth grinding in children; often several factors play a role together. Today, bruxism is thought to be linked less to how the teeth fit together and more to the sleep-regulating processes in the brain.
- Sleep-related factors: Contraction of the jaw muscles during brief arousal responses in sleep (micro-arousals) is associated with bruxism. Irregular sleep times and insufficient sleep can make this more pronounced.
- Breathing problems: Conditions that affect breathing during sleep, such as enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergic nasal congestion, snoring and mouth breathing, are often seen together with bruxism in children.
- Stress and emotional factors: Changes such as starting school, the birth of a sibling or moving house, or anxiety, can increase grinding.
- Other health conditions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, some neurological conditions and certain medications have been associated with bruxism.
- Teething and the transition period: The eruption of baby teeth and the changing bite during the mixed dentition period can contribute to temporary grinding.
A detailed history and examination are needed to understand which of these factors is most prominent in your child. Bruxism is not a diagnosis on its own but most often a symptom.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom is the sound of teeth grinding or clicking heard during sleep at night; apart from that, some signs can be seen in the teeth and jaw. The main symptoms parents can watch for are:
- A grinding sound heard regularly during sleep,
- Flattening or shortening of the tooth edges, or shiny worn surfaces,
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods,
- Pain or a feeling of tiredness in the jaw, face or temples in the morning,
- Difficulty opening the mouth or noises in the jaw joint,
- Morning headaches, tiredness during the day or difficulty concentrating (especially if sleep quality is poor),
- Snoring, sleeping with the mouth open, pauses in breathing during sleep.
Some wear on baby teeth is not a cause for alarm on its own. What really matters is the degree of wear, any accompanying pain or sensitivity and especially symptoms related to breathing during sleep.
When is treatment needed?
In most cases, teeth grinding in children is simply monitored; treatment comes into question when there is significant tooth damage, pain or an underlying problem. It is recommended that you see a dentist in the following situations:
- If there is visible and progressing wear, a fracture or a crack in the teeth,
- If the child complains of tooth sensitivity or jaw pain,
- If grinding continues intensely even after the permanent teeth have erupted,
- If it is accompanied by snoring, mouth breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep,
- If changes in the child's sleep quality, behavior or school performance are noticeable.
Findings such as snoring and breathing pauses are important independently of bruxism and should be evaluated by a pediatrician or an ear, nose and throat specialist. In such cases, the dentist plays an important role in referring the child to the relevant specialist.
What are the treatment approaches?
Treatment of bruxism in children aims to relieve the symptoms and address the underlying cause, if there is one; the same method is not used for every child.
Monitoring and adjusting habits
In mild cases, the condition of the teeth is monitored with regular checkups. Reducing screen time before bed, a calm bedtime routine, regular sleep times and avoiding caffeinated drinks (such as cola and iced tea) in the evening can be helpful. Talking about the child's sources of stress and reminding them to relax their jaw when they notice they are clenching their teeth during the day are also supportive methods.
Keeping short notes for a few weeks before the appointment makes the doctor's job easier: how many nights a week the grinding is heard, whether there is snoring or sleeping with the mouth open, whether the child complains of jaw pain or headaches in the morning and whether there is a temporary source of stress. If possible, making a short audio recording during sleep can also help assess the grinding and the breathing pattern.
Treating the underlying cause
If airway problems such as adenoids, tonsils or allergies are detected, treatment by the relevant specialist can also reduce grinding in some children. If there is significant anxiety or behavioral problems, collaboration with the pediatrician and, if necessary, child psychiatry is possible.
Night guards and dental repair
Because the jaws and teeth grow and change rapidly during the baby-teeth period, night guards are not routinely recommended. If there is significant wear during the period when the permanent teeth are erupting, the dentist may recommend a soft or hard night guard designed with growth in mind; these guards do not stop the grinding but protect the teeth against wear. For teeth that have developed sensitivity or lost tooth structure due to wear, protective treatments or repairs can be carried out. You can find answers to other questions about your child's oral health on our frequently asked questions page.
Does bruxism damage permanent teeth?
In most cases, bruxism seen in childhood decreases without causing serious damage to the permanent teeth, but intense grinding that continues after the permanent teeth erupt can lead to wear. Once the enamel of permanent teeth is worn, it cannot regenerate. For this reason, during the mixed dentition period, that is, roughly between ages six and twelve, regular dental checkups help detect wear early. If necessary, an orthodontic assessment can also be done so that the bite and jaw development can be monitored together.
When should you schedule an examination for your child in Ankara?
If your child's nighttime grinding has lasted for weeks, if you have noticed wear on their teeth or if it is accompanied by symptoms such as snoring and mouth breathing, a dental assessment will provide guidance. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, your child's teeth, jaw development and wear are evaluated; where necessary, a referral is made to the relevant specialists.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my child to grind their teeth at night?
Nighttime teeth grinding is common in preschool and primary school children, and in many children it decreases with age. If there are no accompanying signs such as significant tooth wear, pain or snoring, monitoring is usually enough. The dentist keeps track of the teeth at checkups.
Is teeth grinding related to worms?
No strong link has been shown between intestinal worms and teeth grinding. Bruxism is associated more with factors such as sleep patterns, breathing problems and stress. If worms are suspected, a pediatrician should be consulted.
Do children use night guards?
Because the jaw grows rapidly during the baby-teeth period, night guards are not routinely recommended. If there is significant wear during the period when the permanent teeth are erupting, the dentist may recommend a guard that takes growth into account. A guard does not stop grinding; it protects the teeth against wear.
Which doctor should a child who snores and grinds their teeth see?
The dentist evaluates the effects on the teeth; if there is snoring, mouth breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep, an assessment by a pediatrician or an ear, nose and throat specialist is recommended. These symptoms are important independently of bruxism.
