Teeth Grinding in Childhood

If you have a child who grinds his or her teeth, you’re probably used to the unpleasant sound of grinding and popping noises when they sleep. Teeth grinding, officially called bruxism, is a common problem in childhood. Around 3 of 10 kids will experience bruxism at some point due to jaw growth, loss of teeth, stress response, or malocclusion. Luckily, your child should outgrow bruxism by their teen years, but damage can still be done.

Bruxism in Childhood

Before you can help ease your child’s bruxism, you need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms, which can include:

• Popping or grinding noises when your child is sleeping
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Pain when chewing
• Headaches, earaches, or facial pain with no apparent cause
• Complaints of pain in the jaw with no apparent cause
• Chipped or worn-down teeth

The above symptoms are the most common, but please keep in mind that some kids won’t experience any symptoms at all. This is why regular dental checkups are so important; we know how to spot the telltale signs!

If you suspect that your child is suffering from bruxism, call our Fort Lupton dentist to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.