Is Your Child Grinding Their Teeth?

Posted on May 26, 2022 | Hot Topics

We all know that noise that makes you wince a little when you hear it; teeth grinding. And it’s more common in children than you might think it is. 

An average of three out of ten children grind their teeth before the age of five. Most children outgrow it by time they reach the age of six and usually there is no cause for alarm. More often than not, teeth grinding occurs because of teething or improper tooth alignment.

However, in some cases, the teeth grinding can continue. If your child is older than six years and wakes up regularly with a sore jaw or is teased after a sleepover by friends or siblings who heard the grinding sounds at night, your child may have bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term for habitual grinding or clenching teeth.

Causes of teeth grinding

What causes teeth grinding? What can you do to help your child?

There isn’t an exact answer as to why some kids grind their teeth. Stress can definitely be a contributing factor. While stress and anxiety can contribute to teeth grinding, there is no known connection between behavioral problems and teeth grinding. 

What to do if your child is grinding their teeth

If your child wakes in the morning complaining of a sore mouth or of headaches from grinding their teeth, here are some helpful tips.

• Look for the source. Stress can make your child grind their teeth at night. Whether it’s anxiety about upcoming exams, a problem with their teacher, or a bully on the playground; talk to your child to figure out what might be bothering them. Then see if you can help find a solution to the problem. 
• Rely on relaxation. Having a relaxing pre-bedtime routine can be a major help. Try helping your child develop a relaxing pre-bedtime routine. Some ideas include: a warm shower, relaxing music, deep breaths, or a peaceful book. These things may help your child to fall asleep in a more relaxed way. 
• See the dentist. Our dentist’s here at Blossom can help determine if the bruxism is affecting your child’s teeth. If so, a specially fitted mouth guard may be recommended. This is similar to a sports mouth guard and will help to protect your child’s teeth at night while they sleep.