Teeth grinding, or bruxism, refers to excessive grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw, and is common in children. The first indication is the noise created by your child grinding teeth during sleep. Or you may notice wear (teeth getting shorter) in your little one’s dentition.
Although teeth grinding is often the result of stress in adults, the same is not always true with children. If your youngster’s teeth grinding is not the result of stress, other possible causes include irritation in the mouth, inner ear pressure, allergies, and misaligned teeth.
The good news is that, because your child’s teeth and jaws change and grow so quickly, teeth grinding is not usually a damaging habit that requires treatment. Most outgrow it by adolescence. However, if excessive wearing of the teeth continues in the permanent dentition phase, Dr. Al may recommend wearing a night guard.
If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth grinding, ask us about the potential causes and, if necessary, the potential solutions.