You may be concerned if you've noticed your youngster clenching or grinding their teeth. Despite the fact that the ominous noise may raise some red flags, it is typically okay to proceed. You should only intervene when absolutely necessary.
Discover the causes of toddler teeth grinding and know when to intervene to help your child.
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The Bruxism
The medical word for teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw is bruxism. Experts estimate that between two and three out of ten children suffer from some form of teeth grinding or clenching, but that the condition typically resolves on its own by puberty.
Insomnia and anxiety are common triggers for bruxism in children.
There is a common developmental phase during which many children engage in tooth grinding. For whatever reason, some kids really clamp down on their jaws. When other people grind, they make a lot of noise.
Typically, kids who grind their teeth at night won't be woken up by the noise, but whoever happens to be in the room could be. Bruxism is another name for teeth-grinding.
Why Is My Toddler Clenching His/Her Jaws?
Baby may make mouthing motions while sleeping.
If the teeth are rubbing together, you may hear a clicking or grinding sound. All of them indicate that your tiny one may be rubbing his or her teeth together.
Bruxism, often known as teeth grinding, can affect people of all ages and for a variety of causes.
Children may start teeth grinding as early as six months, when their primary teeth emerge, and again around age 5, when their permanent teeth come in, per the University of Michigan Health System.
Stress and anxiety are common causes of teeth grinding in adults. Toddling reasons are typically associated with exploring the limits of their new teeth.
Most toddlers will naturally outgrow this, however there are some cases in which further treatments may be necessary to safeguard your child's teeth.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?
Bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding, is quite prevalent among young people.
It happens when someone presses their upper or lower jaw down, rubbing their teeth together.
While teeth grinding itself is not a medical condition, it can be exacerbated by other mental health issues.
For What Reason Do Toddlers Grit Their Teeth?
The Nemours Foundation reports that roughly two to three out of every ten children engage in some form of teeth grinding or clenching.
Your toddler may grind their teeth at any moment of the day, but you'll probably hear it while they're sleeping.
The causes of baby tooth grinding are not always clear to dentists. Still, the following are a few potential explanations.
- The teeth of your little child are crooked.
- Your child will use it to ease the pain of anything like an earache or the discomfort of teething.
- Because to health problems or drugs, including cerebral palsy.
Grinding one's teeth is a common symptom of stress and anxiety in adolescents. Stress from a shift in routine or from being ill is one example.
You or your doctor might not always be able to determine the root of the problem.
The causes of bruxism aren't always clear, even to experts. If the upper and lower teeth aren't properly aligned, a child may start grinding their teeth.
Some people use it in order to alleviate the discomfort of anything like an earache or teething.
In the same way that rubbing a painful muscle can help, teeth grinding can provide temporary relief for kids who are experiencing tooth discomfort. Many children, however, eventually grow out of these frequent triggers for teeth grinding.
Tension, typically in the form of worry or wrath, is another possible trigger. A child could be anxious about anything from an upcoming test to a shift in his or her daily routine (a new sibling or a new teacher).
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can be stress responses to even the most minor of family disagreements.
It's not uncommon for hyperactive children to also grind their teeth. Children with various medical disorders (such as cerebral palsy) or who take certain medicines are also at increased risk of developing bruxism.
The exact reason of teeth grinding is a mystery to medical professionals. A child's teeth grinding could be caused by a number of different things.
There are several potential contributors to teeth grinding, including the central nervous system, the mouth, the sleep-wake cycle, heredity, the environment, and so on, as explained by experts and detailed in the Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics.
Sleep disorders including sleep apnea have been linked to tooth grinding in some situations, albeit this is more frequent in adults.
Nighttime or sleep-related tooth grinding in toddlers may have no underlying medical cause.
On the other hand, some kids grind their teeth because they're anxious or stressed out about something, such a big change in their lives or a traumatic experience.
Your kid might be grinding his teeth because he's in discomfort.
If your infant is experiencing discomfort, such as when they are teething or have an ear infection, they may try to alleviate the pain by grinding their teeth.
When teeth aren't properly aligned, it might cause other problems, like teeth grinding in certain kids.
Signs
In most cases, parents will know that their toddler is grinding their teeth only by observing the child do it or by hearing it.
The child, many times, is not even aware that they are doing it.
In some cases, a child will grind their teeth while awake too, and the parent or caregiver can help redirect the child's attention from the behaviour.
A diagnostic tool called Bitestrip can be used at home to help identify if sleep bruxism is occurring, but most of the time, that device is only used in adults or severe cases.
What Are the Effects of Bruxism?
For the most part, teeth grinding is not considered a harmful habit and one that most toddlers grow out of.
Sometimes the greatest "effect" is a parent worrying about the grinding sound their child is making.
For other children, grinding the teeth can cause jaw pain. While your baby may not be able to tell you that that's the exact cause of their discomfort, frequently rubbing the jaw can be an indicator.
Many cases of bruxism go undetected with no ill effects, while others cause headaches or earaches.
Usually, though, it's more bothersome to other family members because of the grinding sound.
In some cases, nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down tooth enamel, chip teeth, increase temperature sensitivity, and cause severe facial pain and jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ).
However, most kids who grind don't have TMJ problems unless their grinding and clenching happen a lot.
Grinding During Sleep
Tooth grinding during Sleep is referred to as sleep-related bruxism.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), teeth grinding is especially common in children while they sleep, since during Sleep, the muscles of the jaw contract.
If those jaw contractions are too muscular, it can cause grinding.
It can be so loud that you can hear it, but most of the time, if it is happening during Sleep, it is involuntary, meaning your child is not even aware that they are doing it.
Baby teeth grinding tends to occur most often during REM sleep, the second stage of Sleep.
Most of the time, a child grinding their teeth will not wake up during the grinding episode.
Some studies have shown signs of disturbed Sleep during grinding, such as an increased heart rate, called "micro-arousals."
That means that the child shows signs of stirring awake, although they do not fully awaken.
Doctors aren't sure if the tooth grinding results from the arousal or if the arousal happens because of the tooth grinding, so a lot of nighttime teeth grinding is still a mystery.
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Caring for Your Child's Teeth
Severity
The severity of tooth grinding varies widely.
Some children will experience minor episodes, with only a few instances of teeth grinding throughout the night. In contrast, others will experience severe bruxism and have hundreds of occurrences throughout the night.
As you can imagine, the more severe the tooth grinding and the more frequent the episodes occur, the higher the risk of damage to the teeth.
Prolonged episodes of tooth grinding can cause dental damage as a result of the teeth wearing down.
Prevalence
The AAP notes that tooth grinding occurs in about 14% to 17% of children, and it can start very early in childhood, as soon as the upper and lower teeth have erupted through the gums.
Although most children who grind their teeth tend to grow out of bruxism by around six, around one-third of children will continue the tooth grinding into adulthood.
It's estimated that around 18% of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 experience bruxism, and less than 6% experience it past 60.
There is no noticeable difference in teeth grinding among boys or girls, and studies have shown conflicting results, but they do confirm that teeth grinding happens in both male and female children.
Effects on Health
In most cases, teeth grinding is not dangerous. Because tooth grinding occurs in children under six and tends to disappear as they get older, it will not cause any permanent damage because they don't yet have their adult teeth.
Every child is different, and if you have any concerns or notice any breakdown in your child's teeth, you should speak to their doctor or dentist.
If your child has passed the age of six and is still showing signs of tooth grinding, you will also want to speak with a doctor or dentist to see what kind of options you have for preventing any long-term damage to their teeth and to figure out what (if anything) may be causing the tooth grinding.
Behavioural Effects
Some parents may be concerned about their children's tooth grinding habits based on limited reports that teeth grinding is associated with harmful behaviour in children.
For example, in 2008, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) issued a release explaining a link between teeth grinding in toddlers and problems with school adjustment and social withdrawal behaviours.
The parents reported in their surveys that the same children who exhibited teeth grinding at night also displayed problems adjusting to preschool, engaged less with their peers, and were more withdrawn in social settings.
In the study, parents reported that 36.8% of preschoolers grind their teeth once or twice per week, while 6.7% did it four or more times per week.
The AASM's findings were based on 1,956 preschoolers and discovered after the low-income parents in the study filled out a survey about their toddlers' behaviours, school performances, social abilities, and teeth grinding patterns.
Ultimately, however, the study did not find a cause-and-effect relationship between the teeth grinding and negative behaviour—only that a relationship exists.
The study also showed that the more teeth grinding that the parents reported, the higher the incidence of negative social behaviour, which means that there could be other factors involved.
A further 2006 study in Sleep found that tooth grinding was not associated with lower intelligence levels in children or any sign of acid reflux. However, teeth grinding did appear to have a link in some children with behavioural problems.
Specifically, 40% of the children in their study also had elevated scores on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist.
Higher scores on the checklist are associated with attention and behaviour problems. The more the teeth grinding seemed to wake up the children, the higher the risk for attention and behaviour problems.
A study review by a dental journal also found that nighttime teeth grinding in children under the age of 12 and most commonly around age four was also associated with some behaviour irregularities, including hyperactivity, bad temper, and poor academic performance.
Physically, children with nighttime teeth grinding were also more likely to have chronic medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections.
Impact on Sleep
As you may have guessed, many sleep studies that have examined bruxism have theorised that excessive teeth grinding in children who are preschool age may be interfering with quality sleep, which could be linked to negative behaviours and social withdrawal. Toddlers and preschoolers require 13 to 14 hours of quality sleep per night.
If teeth grinding interferes with Sleep, work with a doctor to figure out what is causing the grinding.
In some instances, a sleep study might be warranted to see if a sleep disorder is causing the teeth to grind.
Usually, however, teeth grinding does not fully wake a child up or interfere with their Sleep, so it will rarely disturb their Sleep.
However, if you are a family that co-sleeps, or if your toddler shares a sleeping environment with another adult or sibling, it's worth noting that teeth grinding may be loud enough that it disrupts other peoples' Sleep, so don't forget that your sleep matters too!
If your toddler's teeth grinding is keeping you from getting the rest you need, you may want to consider temporarily moving your child into another room, using white noise or a fan to help drown out the sound or adjusting your sleep routines so that you can rest through the noise.
When to Seek Help for Teeth-Grinding?
Talk to a health professional, like your GP or dentist, if you're worried about your child's teeth-grinding.
Devices to protect teeth or prevent grinding can help. You can talk to your dentist about these.
If your child grinds their teeth and also snores loudly, breathes with their mouth open, or chokes or gasps while they're asleep, it's a good idea to see your GP.
This can help you rule out issues like sleep apnea.
Diagnosing Bruxism
Lots of kids who grind their teeth aren't even aware of it, so it's often siblings or parents who identify the problem.
Some signs to watch for:
- grinding noises when your child is sleeping
- complaints of a sore jaw or face after waking up in the morning
- pain with chewing
If you think your child is grinding their teeth, visit the dentist, who will examine the teeth for chipped enamel and unusual wear and tear, and spray air and water on the teeth to check for exceptional sensitivity.
If damage is found, the dentist may ask your child a few questions, such as:
- How do you feel before bed?
- Are you worried about anything at home or school?
- Are you angry with someone?
- What do you do before bed?
The exam will help the dentist see whether the cause is anatomical (misaligned teeth) or psychological (stress) and develop an effective treatment plan.
What Are the Treatments for Teeth Grinding?
In older children, teeth grinding that causes your child significant pain or tooth misalignment is often treated with a nightguard.
These are thin, flexible pieces of plastic that slip over the upper gums to protect the teeth from damage.
However, toddlers' teeth are constantly changing, which affects the guard's ability to fit well.
Also, toddlers may not understand the how's and why's of wearing a nightguard at a young age.
One "treatment" you should not use is waking your child up when you hear teeth grinding. This could potentially worsen symptoms and affect your child's ability to get a good night's rest.
The typical treatment for toddler teeth grinding is no treatment at all.
If you suspect stress or anxiety could be a potential cause, you can try to establish more of a routine with your little one.
This could include incorporating particular snuggle time or reading time before bed to help them feel calm and comforted before drifting off to sleep.
Helping Kids With Bruxism
Whether the cause is physical or psychological, kids might be able to control bruxism by relaxing before bedtime — for example, by taking a warm bath or shower, listening to a few minutes of soothing music, or reading a book.
For bruxism caused by stress, ask about what's upsetting your child and find a way to help.
For example, a kid worried about being away from home for a first camping trip might need reassurance that mom or dad will be nearby if needed.
If the issue is more complicated, such as moving to a new town, discuss your child's concerns and try to ease any fears. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor.
In rare cases, primary stress relievers aren't enough to stop bruxism.
If your child has trouble sleeping or acts differently than usual, your dentist or doctor may suggest further evaluation. This can help find the cause of the stress and a proper course of treatment.
This is the Key Point
When kids lose their baby teeth, they usually stop crushing theirs. Rest assured that your child will likely outgrow the habit, even if they will still have their baby teeth for several more years.
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Conclusion
Bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding, is quite prevalent among young people. Experts estimate that between two and three out of ten children suffer from some form of teeth grinding or clenching. Insomnia and anxiety are common triggers for bruxism in children. About two to three out of every ten children engage in some form of teeth grinding or clenching. Some people use it to alleviate the discomfort of anything like an earache or teething.
A child's teeth grinding could be caused by a number of different things. Tooth grinding during Sleep is referred to as sleep-related bruxism. nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down tooth enamel, chip teeth, increase temperature sensitivity, and cause severe facial pain and jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). Tooth grinding is involuntary, meaning your child is not aware that they are grinding their teeth. Some studies have shown signs of disturbed Sleep during grinding, such as an increased heart rate.
The more severe the tooth grinding and the more frequent the episodes, the higher the risk of dental damage. Parents may be concerned about their child's tooth grinding habits based on limited reports that teeth grinding is associated with harmful behaviour in children. Every child is different, and if you have any concerns or notice any breakdown in your child's teeth, you should speak to their doctor or dentist. Bruxism - or teeth-grinding - is when a child's teeth are grinding while they're sleeping. It's been linked to negative behaviours and social withdrawal in children, as well as hyperactivity, bad temper and poor academic performance.
Toddlers and preschoolers require 13 to 14 hours of sleep per night. The typical treatment for toddler teeth grinding is no treatment at all. If you suspect stress or anxiety could be a potential cause, you can try to establish more of a routine with your little one. This could include snuggle time or reading time before bed to help them feel calm and comforted. Kids might be able to control bruxism by relaxing before bedtime, for example, by taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music. Bruxism can also be caused by stress, so ask about what's upsetting your child and find a way to help.
Content Summary
- Teenage stress and worry frequently manifest as teeth grinding.
- Experts disagree about what exactly causes bruxism.
- Since the muscles of the jaw clench during sleeping, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that nighttime teeth grinding is especially common in youngsters.
- Infant tooth grinding is particularly common during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
- The majority of people who grind their teeth don't put themselves at risk.
- As every child is unique, it's important to discuss any worries or signs of tooth decay with your child's doctor or dentist.
- Higher total checklist scores indicate more severe attention and behavioural issues.
- A full night's rest of 13 to 14 hours is recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.
- If you are worried about your child's teeth grinding, it is best to consult a medical specialist such as a doctor or dentist.
- Occasionally, primary stress relievers aren't sufficient to stop bruxism.
- Your dentist or doctor may recommend further testing if your child is having difficulties sleeping or displaying unusual behaviour.
- This can aid in determining the source of the stress and the best way to alleviate it.
- Common causes of bruxism in youngsters include problems sleeping and worry.
- Your youngster may not even be aware that they are grinding their teeth, as this behaviour is involuntary.
- Your child's doctor or dentist is the best person to talk to if you're worried about his or her oral health.
- Establishing more of a schedule with your child may help if you think stress or worry is to blame.
FAQs About Baby Teeth
Mother, put the baby on the bed, use your clean fingers to gently massage the baby's gums. This method will help stimulate baby tooth sprouts to quickly emerge from the gums, reducing pain for children when teeth come in.
Typically, your child will lose their first tooth between ages 6 and 8. This usually continues through ages 10 to 13, when the last of their primary teeth are pushed out by the permanent teeth. Many children experience a break between ages 8 and 10, so don't be alarmed if your child hasn't lost any teeth for a while.
Teething takes about 8 days, which includes 4 days before and 3 days after the tooth comes through the gum. (You may see a blue-grey bubble on the gum where the tooth is about to appear. This is called an eruption cyst and will usually go away without treatment.)
Children with tooth decay are less likely to eat crunchy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Being able to eat these foods promotes good nutrition and a healthy weight. Speak clearly. Children who lose baby teeth too early may have trouble making certain sounds.
While the jaw grows, the root area of the baby tooth allows the permanent tooth a place to grow and break through the gums. As the permanent teeth grow through the root area, the baby teeth loosen and will fall out, usually starting around age 6 and the final baby teeth should fall out around age 12.
