When you look in on your sleeping child, you want to hear the sounds of sweet dreams:
easy breathing and perhaps an occasional sigh. But some parents hear the harsher sounds
of gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, which is common in
kids.
About Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for the grinding of teeth or the clenching of jaws.
Many kids have it (2 to 3 out of every 10 will grind or clench, experts say),
but most outgrow it. Bruxism often happens during deep sleep phases or when kids are under
stress.
Causes of Bruxism
Experts aren't always sure why bruxism happens. In some cases, kids may grind because
the top and bottom teeth aren't aligned properly. Others do it as a response to pain,
such as from an earache or teething.
Kids might grind their teeth as a way to ease the pain, just as they might rub a sore
muscle. Many kids outgrow these fairly common causes for grinding.
Stress — usually
nervous tension or anger — is another cause. For instance, a child might worry about
a test at school or a change in routine (a new sibling or a new teacher). Even arguing
with parents and siblings can cause enough stress to prompt teeth grinding or jaw
clenching.
Some kids who are hyperactive also have bruxism. And sometimes kids with other
medical conditions (such as cerebral
palsy) or who take certain medicines can develop bruxism.
Effects of Bruxism
Many cases of bruxism go undetected with no ill effects, while others cause
headaches or earaches. Usually, though, it's more bothersome to other family members because
of the grinding sound.
In some cases, nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down tooth enamel, chip
teeth, increase temperature sensitivity, and cause severe facial pain and jaw problems,
such as temporomandibular joint
disease (TMJ). Most kids who grind, however, don't have TMJ problems unless their
grinding and clenching happen a lot.