My Child Grinds Their Teeth at Night: What Should I Do?

You might be sitting in the living room at night when you hear a strange noise coming through the baby monitor. It sounds like rocks rubbing together or a loud clicking coming from your child’s bedroom.

That sound is often the first sign of teeth grinding, which doctors call bruxism. While it can be scary to hear your child gnashing their teeth, you are not alone. Research shows that anywhere from 6% to 50% of children deal with this habit at some point. Most kids start around age three or four.

Many outgrow it by the time they become teenagers, but the sound can still be quite jarring for a parent to hear in the middle of the night.

What is Childhood Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is the medical word for when a person clenches or grinds their teeth. There are two main ways this happens. Some children grind while they are wide awake, which is often called waking bruxism.

This usually involves clenching the jaw tightly without moving the teeth back and forth. The more common type is sleep bruxism. This is where children move their jaw while they are deep in slumber.

Because this usually happens at night, about 80% of people do not even know they are doing it. It often falls on parents or siblings who share a room to notice the noise. If it goes on for a long time without help, it can lead to real problems.

• Worn-down enamel that makes teeth look yellow or dull.
• Receding gums that expose the sensitive roots.
• Fractured teeth or small chips in the chewing surfaces.
• Issues with the jaw joint, known as TMJ, which makes it hard for a child to chew comfortably.

Signs Your Child Might Be Grinding

Since you cannot watch your child every minute they are asleep, you have to look for physical clues. One of the biggest signs is your child complaining of a sore jaw or a headache right when they wake up. You might also notice that their teeth look flat on the top or have small chips that were not there before. It is frustrating to see a healthy smile change so quickly.

Other signs are more subtle. Your child might become very sensitive to cold drinks or hot soup because the protective layer of their teeth is getting thinner. In some cases, you might even see indentations on the side of their tongue where they have been pressing it against their teeth.

If your child seems extra tired or cranky during the day, it might be because the grinding is ruining their sleep quality. Using a baby monitor is a great way to listen for those telltale grinding sounds without having to stay in their room all night. It gives you a clear window into what is happening while they sleep.

Why Kids Start Grinding Their Teeth

There is no single reason why children start this habit. Instead, it is usually a mix of physical and emotional factors. On the physical side, children’s bodies change fast. When new baby teeth or permanent teeth are coming in, the bite can feel uneven. Children might grind their teeth to try and find a comfortable spot for their jaw to rest. Some kids also have misaligned teeth or breathe through their mouths, which increases the risk.

Family history plays a big role too. If you or your partner ground your teeth as a child, your kids are more likely to do the same. Environmental factors matter more than people think. Studies suggest that being around secondhand smoke can increase the chances of a child developing bruxism.

Additionally, kids who have ADHD or take certain stimulant medications might grind more often. It is often a combination of these small things that leads to the behavior.

The Role of Stress and Anxiety

Even though kids do not have jobs or bills, they still feel plenty of pressure. Stress is a major trigger for teeth grinding in school-age children. They might be worried about a big math test, making the soccer team, or moving to a new house. For toddlers, the stress of being away from parents, known as separation anxiety, can show up as grinding at night.

Researchers have found that children who are naturally more restless or who worry about doing well in school tend to have higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies. This tension has to go somewhere.

For many kids, it comes out through their jaw muscles at night. If your child is going through a big life change, keep a close eye on their sleep habits. Talking to them about their day can sometimes help lower that nighttime tension.

When Should You Talk to a Professional

Most of the time, teeth grinding is a phase that goes away on its own. However, there are times when you should definitely reach out to a dentist in Colorado. If your child is over the age of seven and still grinding, it is time for a checkup. By this age, permanent teeth are usually coming in. We want to make any sure those adult teeth stay protected from the start.

You should also seek help if your child has a locking jaw or if they are having a hard time eating because their face hurts. If you look in their mouth and see that the teeth are visibly shorter or chipped, professional intervention is necessary. Long term grinding can lead to earaches and even changes in how the jaw muscles look, making them appear larger than normal. A professional can check the bite and see if the alignment of the jaw is causing the issue.

Helping Your Child at Home

There are several things you can do to help your child relax before bed. Start by creating a calm environment. This means no tablets or television for at least an hour before sleep. The blue light from screens can mess up their natural sleep rhythm and make them more likely to be restless.

Establishing a solid routine is key. You can try a few of these soothing activities:

• Give them a warm bath to relax their muscles.
• Read a favorite book together in a quiet spot.
• Listen to soft music or white noise.
• Use a warm compress on their jaw if they feel tight.

It also helps to limit caffeine from soda or chocolate, especially in the afternoon. Keeping a sleep journal can help you track when the grinding is at its worst so you can find patterns linked to their daily activities.

Professional Treatment Approaches

If home remedies do not stop the grinding and the teeth are getting damaged, a dentist might suggest a night guard. This is a special piece of plastic that fits over the teeth to act as a shield. It does not always stop the grinding motion, but it prevents the teeth from wearing each other down. For older children, bite splints might be used to help move the jaw into a better position.

In some cases, the dentist might refer you to a sleep specialist. Sometimes grinding is a sign of a breathing problem like sleep apnea. If the child is struggling to breathe at night, their body might move the jaw to try and open the airway. Treating the breathing issue often stops the grinding instantly.

Orthodontic work might also be recommended if the teeth are so crooked that the child cannot close their mouth properly. Every child is different, so the treatment has to be specific to their needs.

What to Expect in the Long Run

The good news for most parents is that bruxism usually does not last forever. As children grow and their jaws develop, the triggers for grinding often disappear. Most children stop by the time they lose all their baby teeth. By learning how to manage stress and keeping up with regular dental visits, you can make sure your child’s smile stays healthy until they outgrow the habit. It is just one of those phases of childhood that requires a little extra patience and care.

Suncreek Dental Group is here to help you understand your child’s dental health and provide the best care possible. If you are worried about your child’s teeth or if the nighttime noises are keeping everyone awake, give us a call at (303) 933-252. We can look at your child’s bite and determine if they need a protective guard or a different approach.

Category: For Kids