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Bruxism, the act of grinding teeth, is a surprisingly common occurrence in both children and adults. While some children only grind their teeth during the day, nighttime grinding (while asleep) is the more frequent pattern. Depending on how often it happens, how intensely the teeth are ground, and the reasons behind it, bruxism can lead to a variety of dental issues.
A wide array of psychological, physiological, and physical factors can lead children to grind their teeth. In particular, a misaligned bite (malocclusion), stress, and traumatic brain injury are all considered potential contributors to bruxism, although grinding can also occur as a side effect of certain medications.
What Are Some Symptoms Of Bruxism?
Generally, parents can often hear loud grinding, especially during the night. However, subtle daytime jaw clenching and grinding can be more challenging to identify. Often, general symptoms can provide clues that a child might be grinding their teeth, 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 sore jaw muscles, especially in the morning.
- Unusual sensitivity of teeth to hot and cold foods.
How Can Bruxism Damage My Child's Teeth?
Bruxism involves the upper and lower teeth grinding against each other. Especially when the grinding is forceful, the 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 provide important clues for the pediatric dentist.
Firstly, children who grind their teeth chronically often show excessive wear on their teeth. If a misaligned bite is the cause, tooth enamel might be worn down in specific areas. Additionally, children who grind are more prone to chipped teeth, facial pain, gum injury, and temperature sensitivity. In severe cases, frequent, harsh grinding can lead to the early development of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
What causes bruxism?
Bruxism in children can be triggered by several different factors. The most common cause is a "bad bite" or jaw misalignment. Pediatric dentists also observe that children tend to grind their teeth more often when they are experiencing stress. For example, if a child is going through a particularly stressful exam period or is moving to a new school, nighttime grinding might start or become more intense.
Children with certain developmental disorders and brain injuries may have a higher risk of grinding. In these situations, the pediatric dentist might suggest botulinum toxin injections to relax the facial muscles or provide a protective nighttime mouthguard. If the grinding starts suddenly, current medications need to be reviewed. Although grinding is a rare side effect of some medications, the medication itself might need to be changed to a different one.
How is bruxism treated?
In most children, teeth grinding resolves spontaneously 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 management strategy.
Generally, the cause of the grinding will determine the 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 teeth with crowns and starting orthodontic treatment.
If stress is making the grinding worse, the pediatric dentist might recommend relaxation techniques, professional counseling, or specific exercises. The child’s pediatrician might also prescribe muscle relaxants to ease jaw clenching and reduce jaw spasms.
When young teeth are experiencing significant damage from grinding, the pediatric dentist might suggest a specialized nighttime dental appliance, such as a nighttime mouthguard. Mouthguards prevent the tooth surfaces from grinding against each other and resemble mouthpieces used in sports. Bite splints or bite plates serve the same purpose and are often very effective in preventing grinding damage.
If you have any questions or concerns about bruxism or teeth grinding in your child, please contact their pediatric dentist.
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