Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is a common condition where you grind or clench your teeth. While some people find themselves unconsciously grinding their teeth during the day (called daytime bruxism), nighttime bruxism is a type of sleep-related movement disorder. Surprisingly, this condition is especially common in kids. In fact, according to experts, up to three out of every 10 children experience nighttime bruxism. But what exactly causes bruxism and how can you help keep your child from damaging their teeth?
What causes bruxism?
There’s no one direct cause of bruxism. However, there are a few factors that can increase a child’s risk for this disorder. The first is that your child’s top and bottom teeth may not be properly aligned and so they grind their teeth in response to pain. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests scheduling an evaluation as soon as your child’s dentist notices any potential orthodontic problems. About 4 million Americans wear braces, including kids as young as seven, to fix orthodontic problems and repair bites.
Another common factor that can increase your child’s risk for nighttime bruxism is stress. While children can certainly be stressed about many things, the anxieties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic could definitely be playing a role in your child’s nighttime bruxism.
What can I do to treat my child’s nighttime bruxism?
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help to ease your child’s nighttime bruxism to keep them from damaging their teeth. As mentioned above, it’s recommended to have your child visit their dentist to ensure that their nighttime bruxism isn’t being caused by an orthodontic issue. If orthodontic issues aren’t the problem, here are a few tips you can use to help treat your child’s bruxism:
- Teach them self-soothing techniques: If stress is what’s causing your child’s nighttime bruxism, consider showing them self-soothing techniques to help ease that stress. Self-soothing techniques include deep breathing exercises and tensing and relaxing the muscles.
- Get a children’s mouthguard: The U.S. is the world’s largest medical device market with a value of $140 billion. The benefit of that is that it’s pretty easy to find a nighttime mouthguard that will meet your child’s needs. Talk to your child’s pediatric dentist for mouthguard recommendations.
- Set up a nighttime routine: Sometimes too much activity before bedtime can stress your child so they’re more restless while they sleep. For instance, watching the news before bed isn’t necessarily great for anyone. Set up a nighttime routine for you and your kids to help unwind from the day at least 30 minutes before bed.
Nighttime bruxism can damage your child’s teeth if left untreated. If you suspect that your child is grinding their teeth at night, be sure to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist to figure out the best treatment options for your child.
