“How can I help my child stop grinding his teeth?”
I noticed that my son grinds his teeth when he sleeps. Is there a way to stop this problem? Other than getting him to use a night guard?
11 Answers
Many transitional dentitions have grinding.
Many children grind their teeth, especially when they are teething. Most just grow out of it. Kids lose a night guard in like 3 days!! It's not really considered a problem unless it persists when kids get older...like 12 years old. If grinding as a teenager, consider a night guard.
Grinding of teeth at night is quite common in young children who are actively growing. It often occurs when they are very deeply asleep and there jaws are in the most relaxed position.
No treatment is indicated unless significant wear is noted of the teeth. A comprehensive dental evaluation will aid in any recommendations.
No treatment is indicated unless significant wear is noted of the teeth. A comprehensive dental evaluation will aid in any recommendations.
Grinding is common in kids. You may want to go to a ENT doctor to evaluate tonsils and blocked airway breathing. Many dentists can evaluate, so make sure they are seeing their dentist regularly for checkups. I do not recomend nightguards in kids, they are still developing and need the teeth to be able to move, not be hindered by a nightguard.
Grinding becomes a habit after the age of five if not stopped before then. All you can do is try to stop him every time you see or hear him grinding. Beyond this age, you should see or consult with a children’s dentist.
First, how old is your son. If he is young, grinding is normal. His teeth are getting acquainted with each other to fit right in. If he is in his teens, he MIGHT need an occlusal splint (Night Guard). If grinding gets heavy noise, he might just need his own wear and it will stop on his own. If it goes beyond that, he needs an occlusal splint (night guard.) The night guard will then protect his teeth. That may be needed for life or for a time until it stops.
There is a correlation between stress and grinding. If there are ways to reduce stress in your son's life, this may help. If not, a night guard will reduce the wear and tear on the teeth from grinding.
Marc D. Thomas, DDS
Marc D. Thomas, DDS
Unfortunately, there is not a way to get them to stop as this is done in an unconscious state usually. A lot of kids “grow out” of it at some point. I do not typically recommend a night guard for kids as this could impede natural tooth eruption and growth. If this continues into late adolescence and adulthood a night guard would be recommended. A thorough TMJ evaluation would need to be done before that is done.
Dr. Brandon Nicholson, D.D.S.
Dr. Brandon Nicholson, D.D.S.
Unfortunately, there is no technique to stop someone from grinding or clinching their teeth. They could stop it on their own as they get older. The best way to prevent long-term damage to the dentition is by protecting the teeth by wearing a NG.
Most of the time, we cannot control the source of your son's grinding. Certain medications, stress, sleep apnea, large tonsils, psychological and neurological conditions can all contribute to grinding. I would seek professional examination by a dentist and/or physician to try and determine what is causing your son to grind his teeth. If he is very young, it usually means the body is trying to get his teeth to "fit" together better. In the meantime, a bite guard worn at night won't stop the grinding, but will protect his teeth from wearing.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Grinding teeth is a natural and automatic response to a misfit of the teeth. Most everyone is programmed to grind their teeth when the brain senses an interference in the teeth to what it considers the ideal bite or “occlusion.“ It’s nature’s way of doing its own dentistry. Your child will eventually grow out of it as the teeth find their proper fit. It would be okay to let a dentist have a look at your child’s teeth. He would be better able to understand the occlusion.
