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Teeth grinding or clenching can happen due to several reasons. Indeed, stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions can lead to teeth grinding which can create future dental issues in children. Read this guide to learn how to stop your child from clenching their teeth at night.
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Does Your Child Grind Their Teeth? Find Out How to Stop It Teeth grinding or clenching can happen due to several reasons. Indeed, stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions can lead to teeth grinding which can create future dental issues in children. Read this guide to learn how to stop your child from clenching their teeth at night.
Ultimate Guide to Ending Your Child's Teeth Clenching Have you ever noticed your child grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw? The medical term for this condition is bruxism. Some 6% to 50% of children engage in bruxism during the night, and it can start as soon as teeth start growing in infancy. Most outgrow it without lasting problems. However, for the rest, it contributes to different short- and long-term negative effects, such as the erosion of tooth enamel.
Stress Stress can lead to sleep bruxism in children. Bruxism in school children may be a coping mechanism for the pressure of homework, chores, and achieving good marks. This stress can result in tense muscles, emotional distress, sleep issues, and schedule disturbances, all of which can worsen bruxism. To avoid bruxism in children, stress management is essential.
Age Although children aged two to six are more prone to engaging in sleep bruxism, teeth grinding can affect children of any age. For example, infants can experience bruxism as soon as their teeth come in. Since the process of teeth breaking through the gums can be painful and uncomfortable, infants may grind their teeth as a way to relieve the discomfort.
Other Issues Other medical reasons like migraines, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or cerebral palsy can also cause teeth grinding at night.
How to Stop Your Child from Clenching Teeth at Night Bruxism can increase the risk of fractured teeth, receding gums, and other problems in the teeth and jaw. It may also lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and eating disorders. So, you need to take the initiative in resolving the issue. Here are some of the treatments you can consider for bruxism:
Nightguards Also known as dental or occlusal splints, nightguards are custom-fitted mouthguards that can help prevent damage caused by teeth grinding or clenching. They create a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth that absorbs the force of grinding to protect teeth from damage. The splint may fit over the top or bottom teeth and is designed to reposition the jaw. It can also help prevent further damage to the teeth and gums, such as tooth wear, enamel erosion, and gum recession.
Crowns In some cases, dental work such as crowns or bridges can be used to reshape or restore damaged teeth caused by bruxism.
Stress Management Reducing stress can help stop your child from grinding their teeth. Talk to them about any life events that may be upsetting them, such as a recent move or academic responsibilities. If extra assistance is required, speak with a mental health professional or your child's school counsellor.
Behaviour Modification In certain cases, habits such as nail-biting or chewing on objects can lead to teeth grinding. In those instances, behaviour modification techniques may be recommended to break these habits.
Sleep Hygiene and Bedtime Routine Practising good sleep hygiene, like sticking to a regular sleep schedule and engaging in a relaxing bedtime routine such as reading books, can help reduce bruxism. You can also limit the time they spend using electronic media and provide them with a nutritious diet low in added sugars.
Talk to Your Doctor or Dentist If you notice symptoms of teeth clenching or grinding in your child, such as heightened mouth sensitivity, jaw pain, or grinding noises at night, talk to their dentist or pediatrician. An expert can conduct a comprehensive dental check-up to look for bruxism symptoms and prescribe the proper treatment to offer your child toothache pain relief.
