Dictionary For Dads

Children often grind their teeth it is not un common. Children may not even realize they are doing this behavior and often it is discovered by an attentive parent. Furthermore, it is common for children to engage in teeth grinding when they are sleeping. This teeth grinding behavior while sleeping in clinical terms is called nocturnal bruxism.  Many parents who contact us are very alarmed by this teeth grinding behavior and identify hearing their childs teeth grind while the child is sleeping.  Parents should not be overly alarmed about teeth grinding behavior.

What Causes Teeth Grinding In Children

The jury is still out on this one and there currently is multiple theories that have been presented as the cause for teeth grinding behavior in children. Some researchers claim that pressure in the inner ear at night causes the grinding to occur. Another theory is that the teeth grinding is associated with growth and development and is normal.

What Parents Should Do To Treat Teeth Grinding Behavior

Most childhood teeth grinding does not require any treatment at all. In fact, it is likely to be more irritating to the parents than to the child who is grinding his/her teeth  This is due to the parents hearing the teeth grinding noise while their child is sleeping.

When Will Teeth Grinding Stop:

Most children usually outgrow this teeth grinding practice by age twelve. Usually they start to grind their teeth less when their permanent teeth begin to erupt. This decrease commonly occurs in children between the ages 6-9 years old. Teeth grinding in children commonly stops at age 12-13 years old. If they continue to grind after this time a grinding mouth guard may be needed to protect the permanent teeth. In addition excessive teeth grinding in later stages of life has been attributed to headaches.