It’s not uncommon for kids to grind their teeth at night! As many as one-third of children grind or clench their teeth when they’re sleeping; this condition is called bruxism.
What causes bruxism?
There are many reasons a child might be grinding. It could be anxiety and stress, hyperactivity, a medical condition or the result of taking certain medications, pain and discomfort or misalignment of teeth.
Your child won’t be aware of grinding unless you hear the noise. Another telltale sign that a child is grinding their teeth is if the child complains of jaw pain or a sore face in the morning, after a night’s sleep.
The good news is that most children will outgrow bruxism, usually by the time all the adult teeth come in (unless the cause is stress-related). Unfortunately, grinding can have long-lasting effects such as chipped or worn teeth, and facial and jaw pain, so dealing with the problem is better than just waiting (and hoping) for a child to grow out of it.
One of the first steps should be a visit to the dentist, who will examine your child’s mouth to check for misaligned teeth and ask questions of you and your child to determine if the problem is related to something else. If it’s stress-related or if a medical problem or medication is the cause, you and your dentist can discuss the next steps to help you find ways to solve the issue, which will likely include the help of your child’s doctor.
Whether physiological or psychological, your dentist may suggest temporary crowns or fitting your child with a mouth guard to wear at night, which should provide quick results.
To learn more about your child’s grinding, contact us at Uptown Oakville Dentistry at 905-257-6565. Dr. Uzma Khan is available to discuss your concerns and create the best treatment plan for you and your child.