How to Stop Your Child From Grinding Their Teeth at Night
Dr. Nibras Sharif is a dentist practicing at Unity Square Dental. Dr. Sharif specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatments as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic... more
Do you hear your kid making a loud, scraping noise with their teeth when they sleep?
If you do, they might have something called bruxism, or teeth grinding. A lot of kids have this problem, maybe as many as 3 out of 10.
But it can also hurt their teeth, make their jaw ache, give them headaches, and mess up their sleep.
That’s why you need to figure out why they grind their teeth and how to stop it.
What Causes Teeth Grinding in Children?
Here are 5 most common factors that can trigger bruxism in children:
Stress and anxiety: School stress, family conflict, or dealing with bullies can make a little one grind their teeth. Even changes like moving houses, switching schools, or gaining a new sibling can amp up the anxiety and trigger the tooth-grinding.
Sleep disorders: If your kid has sleep apnea (you know, those annoying breathing pauses during sleep), they might grind their teeth to keep the airway clear. And it's not just apnea – snoring, restless legs, or nightmares can also be culprits behind the nighttime tooth-grinding marathon.
Dental problems: Having wonky teeth, cavities, or infections – that discomfort could make a kid grind their teeth like it's going out of style. Plus, teething, losing baby teeth, or rocking new braces can also send them into tooth-grinding mode.
Genetics: If there's a history of teeth grinding in the family, the little one might just inherit the habit. And it's not just about the family tree – certain brain or developmental issues like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or autism can also be linked to the tooth-grinding scene.
How to Treat Teeth Grinding in Children?
The answer depends on the reason why your kids grind their teeth and the severity of their grinding. Here are some usual ways to fix it:
Create a stress-free environment: If stress or anxiety is the culprit, create a zen zone at home. Be the calm in their storm. Encourage them to spill the beans on their feelings, maybe try some relaxation tricks, or if things are getting real, consider bringing in a pro to chat with them.
Optimize sleep habits: If it's a sleep issue causing the teeth-grinding party, step up the sleep game. Set a routine bedtime, nix screen time before lights out, cut back on caffeine and sugar and make their sleeping spot a cozy, quiet haven.
Prioritize dental care: When it's dental drama causing the grind, be the hero parent. Regular dentist check-ups and treatments are the way to go. Teach them the golden rules of oral hygiene – brush and floss like champs, and steer clear of tough or sticky snacks.
Consider custom mouth guards: For serious tooth-grinding action, score them a custom mouth guard from the children’s dentist. It's like armor for their pearly whites, protecting them from damage. But remember, it's not safe for young kids because it could be a choking risk.
Conclusion
Kids grinding their teeth is pretty common, but not a healthy habit.
If you want to stop your children’s nighttime teeth grinding, figure out what's really going on.
If you’re confused about the real reasons, schedule an appointment with our dentist in Edmonton.
They can help find the actual causes, and suggest suitable solutions, so you can keep your kid's smile good and bright.
