Bruxism in Children: Causes and Treatment

Bruxism in children is common. About 20% of children will develop this condition, known more commonly as teeth grinding, before the age of 11.

Your dentist may have diagnosed your child with bruxism, or you may have noticed this behavior by observing your child. Parents who are concerned about their child’s oral health tend to have the same questions about teeth grinding: What causes teeth grinding in children? What is the treatment?

What Is Bruxism in Children?

Bruxism in children may involve teeth grinding, gnashing the teeth, or tightening the jaw and jaw clenching. It can also mean mastication (chewing) in one’s sleep. According to recent research, bruxism in children lasts about four seconds and can occur up to six times per hour.

Teeth grinding commonly takes place while the child sleeps. It most often occurs in Stage 2 of sleep or during REM sleep. Like bruxism in adults, it is a habit that goes unnoticed until someone else points it out. Typically, the parents will notice the condition first because they can hear the grinding noises at night.

Diagnosing Bruxism in Children

A pediatric dentist can officially diagnose a child with this condition. Some symptoms to look for and report to the dentist include:

· Grinding noises at night.

· Complaints of facial pain or pain in the lower jaw.

· Frequent waking during the night.

The dentist can examine the child’s teeth for undue signs of wear and tear on the teeth to confirm your suspicions.

Other Symptoms of Bruxism

Bruxism can become a sleep disorder. This nocturnal condition may rouse children from sleep several times a night. The lack of sleep can result in behavioral problems. Grinding teeth at night can cause a lack of attention, difficulty focusing, and other behavioral problems throughout the day.

Children who grind their teeth at night are not getting the rest they need.

Causes of Bruxism in Children

It can be challenging to pinpoint the cause of bruxism. Among very young children, it can be a pain response to teething when one’s baby teeth are coming in. In older children, the reason can range from stress to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and other health conditions.

Stress

Stress-induced bruxism is common in adults. However, it is not limited to adults. A child who is worried about a test or making the team may develop this habit.

Medications

Certain medications can cause nighttime grinding. If your child has suddenly developed bruxism after starting medication, talk to your child’s pediatrician about this condition as a possible response to the medication. Some common medications associated with bruxism include:

●     Certain asthma medications.

●     Antidepressants.

●     Other psychotropic drugs to treat anxiety.

Medical Condition

A range of health that can cause bruxism in children, including:

●     Cerebral palsy.

●     Tonsillitis.

●     Sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

●     Ear infections.

●     Attention-deficit disorder.

In some cases, this condition is a response to an underlying medical condition. Correcting the disorder and working with a pediatric dentist could prevent grinding in the future.

Teeth Placement

Misaligned teeth can cause teeth grinding behaviors as well. Braces may help move the teeth into their correct positions and stop the grinding. Diagnosing the root cause of bruxism can be difficult because it could be due to a variety of conditions. Your dentist may use a method of elimination to determine the cause.

The Potential Consequences of Bruxism

Tooth grinding can result in several different dental problems. The lower teeth are usually hit hardest by child grinding. There can be significant damage to the teeth from grinding or clenching. The loss of tooth enamel leaves teeth exposed and prone to cavities. The child can develop temperature sensitivity from the loss of enamel as well. Other consequences include:

●     Painful cracked teeth.

●     Jaw problems like a sore jaw that makes chewing difficult.

●     Facial pain.

●     Behavior problems from sleep disruption.

Bruxism resolves itself in most children, but in some cases, it does not. The habit may continue into adulthood.

Treatment for Bruxism

Most kids will outgrow sleep bruxism, but they still need to be monitored by the dentist. Grinding can damage both primary teeth and secondary teeth and affect current and future oral health. The treatment approach can include monitoring and:

●     A nighttime mouthguard supplied by your dentist.

●     Sleep medicine in extreme cases.

●     An examination by the pediatrician to determine underlying conditions.

●     A visit to an orthodontist for braces.

A pediatric dentist can develop a plan to treat bruxism, stop teeth clenching, and help everyone get a good night’s sleep. If you believe your child is grinding his or her teeth, help is available. Make an appointment today right online at one of our three conveniently located offices.