Tooth-grinding or Bruxism in children. - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

When parents watch their child sleeping they hope to hear easy breathing and sweet dreams, but sometimes they hear the harsher sounds of tooth grinding or bruxism, which is common in kids. A recent study found that up to 49.6% of the children grind their teeth and most will outgrow it.

Many studies have been done, but no definitive answer had emerged for the reason children grind their teeth. Some of the possible reasons are:

As a response to pain, such as an earache or teething.
When they are nervous, tense or angry.
hyperactive kids also experience bruxism.
Kids with neural medical conditions like cerebral palsy.
Children on certain medications can develop tooth grinding.

The grinding becomes noticeable for the child when the teeth start to wear down. Unlike adults, most children who grind do not have TMJ problems unless their grinding and clenching is chronic and severe.

For more information about children grinding their teeth please contact us.