Is Bruxism Ever a Problem in Children?
The problem of bruxism is not restricted to adults. Approximately 15 to 30 percent of children grind their teeth. Children normally grind their teeth when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the bruxism habit after they get permanent teeth. Mostly children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. The possible reasons for children grinding their teeth is improperly aligned teeth or uneven contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses, other medical conditions and psychological factors including stress and anxiety. Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, bruxism can cause headaches, jaw pain, wear on the teeth and temporomandibular joint disease. Consult your dentist if your child’s teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.
