Grinding Teeth At Night?
• Parents are often concerned about the night grinding of teeth (bruxism). Often, the first indication is the noise created by the child grinding on their teeth during sleep. The parent may notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. In adults, bruxism is often related to stress, however in children this has not been proven. Bruxism is very common among children. The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If wear of the permanent teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard (night guard) may be indicated. Most children outgrow bruxism. The grinding decreases between the ages 6-9, and children tend to stop grinding between ages 9-12. If you suspect bruxism, discuss this with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
