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Teeth grinding

2-minute read

Some children grind their teeth or clench their jaw, especially during deep sleep or times of stress. The medical term for teeth grinding is 'bruxism'.

If your child sucks their thumb, bites their nails, gnaws on pencils and toys, or chews the inside of their cheeks, they may also be grinding their teeth at night.

About one-third of children grind or clench their teeth. Most will grow out of it.

Why do children grind their teeth?

The causes of teeth grinding include:

  • misalignment of the top and bottom teeth
  • pain, such as from an earache or teething
  • stress, perhaps from nervous tension or anger
  • hyperactivity

What are the effects of teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding will not usually harm your child’s teeth. In many cases there are no effects and you would not even know it was happening. But some children get headaches or earaches the following morning.

Sometimes, teeth grinding can lead to problems. It can wear down tooth enamel, chip the teeth, increase the sensitivity of the teeth to heat and cold, and cause pain to the face and the jaw.

If you suspect your child is grinding their teeth, visit your child's dentist.

How is teeth grinding treated?

If the effects of teeth grinding are mild or absent, the best thing to do is to keep an eye on the situation and see if your child outgrows the habit. Most children stop when baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, which are much more sensitive to pain than baby teeth.

Regular trips to the dentist should keep any potential problem under control. Sometimes, if grinding and clenching make your child's face and jaw sore, or if their teeth are damaged, your dentist will prescribe a special night guard for protection.

If you think your child grinds their teeth because of stress, it might help to relax them before bedtime, for example by reading a story or playing music, giving them a warm bath, and talking to them about possible sources of stress in their lives.

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Last reviewed: April 2021


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Teeth grinding/bruxism

What is bruxism? Bruxism is the habit of clenching, gnashing or grinding your teeth. Your teeth are not meant to be clenched and in contact all the time. They should only briefly touch each other when you swallow or chew. If they are in contact too often or too forcefully, it can wear down the tooth enamel. This is

Read more on Sleep Health Foundation website

Teeth grinding - Better Health Channel

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth, usually during sleep.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Children grinding teeth in sleep (bruxism) | Raising Children Network

Children often grind their teeth in sleep. Teeth-grinding doesn’t usually damage teeth, but see a dentist or GP if you’re worried. It’s also called bruxism.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Sleep problems in children

Some young children suffer from sleeping problems, such as sleepwalking, insomnia, night terrors and teeth grinding.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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