Nighttime Teeth Grinding Can Cause Problems
Bruxism, or the habit of grinding teeth, is quite common in both children and adults. While some children may grind their teeth during the day, nighttime grinding (during sleep) is more prevalent. Depending on how often it happens, how intensely the child grinds, and what's causing it, bruxism can lead to various dental problems.
A number of psychological, physiological, and physical factors can contribute to bruxism in children. Specifically, a misaligned jaw (bad bite), stress, and traumatic brain injury are all thought to play a role, although grinding can also occur as a side effect of certain medications.
What Are Some Signs That Your Child Might Be Grinding Their Teeth?
Generally, parents can often hear loud grinding, especially when it occurs at night. However, subtle daytime jaw clenching and grinding can be harder to notice. Often, general symptoms can provide clues that a child might be bruxing, including:
- Frequent complaints of headaches.
- Injured teeth and gums.
- Loud grinding or clicking sounds coming from the jaw.
- Rhythmic tightening or clenching of the jaw muscles.
- Unusual complaints about painful jaw muscles, especially in the morning.
- Unusual tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
How Can Teeth Grinding Harm My Child's Teeth?
Bruxism involves the grinding of the upper teeth against the lower teeth. Especially when the grinding is forceful, a child may experience moderate to severe jaw discomfort, headaches, and ear pain. Even if the child is completely unaware of nighttime grinding (and parents don't hear it), the condition of the teeth can give the pediatric dentist important clues.
First, chronic teeth grinders usually show an excessive wearing down of their teeth. If a misaligned jaw is the cause, tooth enamel may be worn away in specific areas. Additionally, children who grind their teeth are more prone to chipped teeth, facial pain, gum injury, and sensitivity to temperature changes in food and drinks. In severe cases, frequent, harsh grinding can lead to the early development of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
What Factors Can Cause Bruxism in Children?
Bruxism in children can stem from several different factors. The most common cause is a "bad bite" or misalignment of the jaw. Pediatric dentists also observe that children tend to grind their teeth more often when they are experiencing stress in their lives. For example, if a child is going through a particularly stressful exam period or is moving to a new school, nighttime grinding may start or become more intense.
Children with certain developmental disorders and brain injuries may have a higher risk of teeth grinding. In these situations, the pediatric dentist might suggest botulinum toxin injections to help relax the facial muscles or provide a protective nighttime mouthguard. If the teeth grinding starts suddenly, the child's current medications need to be reviewed, as it can be a rare side effect of some medications, and an alternative might be needed.
How is Teeth Grinding in Children Typically Treated?
In most children, teeth grinding will stop on its own by the age of thirteen. However, in the meantime, the pediatric dentist will continuously monitor its impact on the child’s teeth and may recommend a treatment plan if needed.
Generally, the underlying cause of the grinding will determine the best treatment approach. If the child’s teeth are significantly misaligned, the pediatric dentist may take steps to correct this. Some available options include adjusting the biting surfaces of the teeth with crowns and starting occlusal therapy (bite correction).
If stress is making the teeth grinding worse, the pediatric dentist may recommend relaxation techniques, professional counseling, or specific exercises. The child’s pediatrician might also prescribe muscle relaxants to help alleviate jaw clenching and reduce jaw spasms.
When young teeth are experiencing significant damage from grinding, the pediatric dentist may suggest a specialized nighttime dental appliance, such as a nighttime mouthguard. Mouthguards act as a barrier, preventing the tooth surfaces from grinding against each other, and they look similar to mouthpieces used in sports. Bite splints or bite plates serve the same purpose and are often very effective in preventing damage from grinding.
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