Healthy Teeth
Bruxism (Grinding)
Teeth grinding in kids is known as bruxism. It happens when children clench their upper and lower teeth, rubbing them each other. Generally kids grind their teeth during sleep and are not aware of what they do.
It is not known why some children start grinding their teeth and some children do not. One theory is that the sets of upper and lower teeth do not fit together comfortably because of the fact that the children’s teeth and jaws grow in phases and cause discomfort. Another is that children grind their teeth together to calm themselves and that this practice later develops into a habit.
Children’s bruxism is usually at night and during the two tooth-growing times of childhood: the first time being when they are toddlers and the baby teeth are erupting; and the second time being when they are losing their baby teeth and growing adult teeth.
The good news is that more than half of all children that brux will naturally stop bruxing by age 13. In general, if your child bruxes, let Dr Cara know. She will monitor your child’s teeth for wear and damage. She can also prescribe an occlusal guard (like a mouth guard) that your child can wear at night to protect their teeth. Please note that a guard is only protection against further damage, not a cure.
