Disclosure :: This post was written by Dr. Allyn Clause, DDS, MSD of Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry. Read other posts by the Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry team HERE.
Grinding Teeth Grinds Our Gears
What sounds worse than nails on a chalkboard? Perhaps it is the sound of our kids grinding their teeth, especially at night. Grinding is one of the most common concerns brought up by our families at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry, so I am writing this to reassure everyone that pediatric grinding is usually a normal part of development.
Why Do Kids Grind?
- Itchiness/Discomfort: Grinding is a natural response to the itchiness and discomfort that occurs with new teeth erupting. We often see this in younger toddlers during teething and again around age 6, in preparation for their permanent first molars.
- Adaptation: With new teeth comes new information that kids need to process; grinding is one way for them to adapt to the newly erupted teeth.
- Stress Response: The increased level of cortisol released during stressful moments causes the muscles of the head and neck to tense up. This activates the same muscles involved in grinding and is one of the body’s natural stress responses. Kids continue to process emotions during sleep, even after the stressful event is over. This is why grinding often happens at night, when the child isn’t aware of it.
- Side note: Excessive screen time can induce stress and anxiety, which may indirectly contribute to grinding.
- Release of Pent-Up Energy: We all think it — how amazing would it be to have the energy of a young child? But all of this energy needs to be released. Grinding provides another way for a child to expend excess energy and fidgetiness in preparation for a new day.
- Side note: This is a major reason why children with ADD/ADHD are also commonly kids who grind their teeth.
- Disordered Sleep: This is a very expansive topic and often requires a multi-team approach (pediatric dentist, orthodontist, pediatrician, sleep specialist, ENT, speech therapist, etc.). Sometimes, disordered sleep, including sleep apnea, can be related to tethered oral tissues or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Grinding occurs as an effort to open the airway, which may be obstructed by soft tissue differences, in order to improve breathing during sleep.
- Side note: We recommend a visit with us at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry if your child shows any signs of disordered sleep, such as snoring, grinding, restless sleep, daytime tiredness, behavioral disturbances, or prolonged bedwetting.
Wait — Is There Natural Protection Against Grinding?
Yes! It is called tertiary dentin. This is a special type of tissue beneath your enamel that forms in response to irritation or injury, such as cavities, grinding, or trauma. Tertiary dentin helps protect teeth from sensitivity or pain caused by enamel loss and serves as the tooth’s natural defense system, much like how the skin forms a scar to protect itself.
How Can I Help My Child Who Is Grinding?
These behavioral modifications can help manage grinding without dental appliances:
- Reduce overall stress: Children thrive when there are predictable routines, emotional check-ins, and scheduled downtime at home.
- Relaxation before bed
- Jaw relaxation: Gentle massages or stretching can ease the muscles involved in grinding.
- Our team at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry can check for physical signs of grinding and help rule out other causes, such as disordered sleep.
What Is the Treatment Approach to Pediatric Grinding?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) emphasizes a conservative, individualized, and evidence-based approach, since most childhood grinding is temporary and self-limiting:
- Observation and Parental Reassurance: It is our duty to reassure you that occasional grinding is normal and should be monitored.
- Identify and Manage Contributing Factors: It is important to rule out underlying causes, such as stress, sleep disturbances, and lifestyle factors, because addressing these often reduces or eliminates grinding.
- Dental Protection (When Needed): A mouthguard may be indicated if grinding is causing your child excessive, painful tooth wear or jaw and muscle pain. However, the AAPD notes that nightguards are rarely needed in young children, since appliances can restrict their ongoing growth of teeth and jaws. Mouthguards must be custom-made and regularly adjusted or replaced throughout oral growth and development.
- Referral When Appropriate: If an underlying issue is suspected, such as sleep apnea, the child may be referred to a sleep specialist or ENT. Other referrals could include a speech therapist for tethered oral tissues or poor muscle tone, or their pediatrician for assistance with stress management.
For more information on your child’s teeth grinding habits, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry!
337-443-9944!
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Other Dental Related Topics that May Be of Interest ::
- Should I Pull My Child’s Loose Baby Tooth?
- Busting Common Myths in Dentistry: The Causes of Cavities Edition
- Is It Just Picky Eating? What Every Parent Should Know
- What’s The Best Sippy Cup? A Pediatric Dentist’s Perspective
- Why Does My Child Have White Spots on Their Teeth?
- What if My Kid Freaks Out at the Dentist?
- Tips on Weaning Your Little One From Thumb & Finger Sucking
- Sleep Disordered Breathing: More Common Than You Think!
- Why Take X-Rays Routinely at the Dentist?
- Teething Toddler Woes: Tips and Tricks For Relief
- The Most Common Causes of Cavities
- Four Reasons Moms Should Reconsider Fruit Snacks
- Why Is My Child Grinding Their Teeth At Night?
- The Truth About Tongue and Lip-Ties
- The Most Common Causes Of Discolored Teeth
About the Author
Dr. Allyn LaCombe Clause is a pediatric dentist at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry. She is a native of Eunice and is thrilled to be living close to home again, serving the little patients of the Acadiana area! Dr. Clause received her doctorate from the LSU School of Dentistry in 2021 and completed an additional two years of a Pediatric Dentistry Residency at LSU afterward. Dr. Clause and her husband Adam are proud parents of their beautiful daughter Azalea! When she’s not occupied with being a mother or taking care of baby teeth, she enjoys playing tennis and pickle ball. She’s even written a children’s book!
