If you have heard a grinding sound coming from your child's room at night, you are not alone. Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, is common in childhood, with estimates suggesting up to two or three children in ten do it at some stage. The reassuring news for most Sydney parents is that childhood grinding is usually harmless and is often outgrown as the adult teeth come through. Knowing the few signs that warrant a check helps you tell ordinary grinding from the kind worth acting on.
Key takeaways
- Teeth grinding is common in children and most outgrow it by the early teens.
- It often happens during sleep and the child has no memory of it.
- Common contributors include new teeth erupting, a developing bite, and stress.
- Most cases need no treatment and cause no lasting harm to baby teeth.
- Worn teeth, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain or disturbed sleep are reasons to have it checked.
Why children grind their teeth
There is rarely a single cause. In young children the most common reason is simply that the mouth is changing. As baby teeth erupt and later as adult teeth arrive, the bite is constantly adjusting, and grinding can be the body settling new teeth against each other. Many children grow out of it once the adult teeth are established.
Other contributors include stress or excitement, such as starting school or a change at home, and disturbed sleep. Grinding is more common in children who snore or breathe through the mouth, which is one reason a dentist may ask about sleep. Occasionally it is linked to discomfort from an earache or teething in toddlers.
Is it harming the teeth?
For most children the answer is no. Baby teeth are replaced anyway, and the kind of light grinding most children do does not cause lasting damage. The body also tends to self correct as the bite matures. This is why dentists usually take a watchful approach rather than rushing to treat.
That said, heavier or persistent grinding can wear teeth down, cause sensitivity, or lead to jaw and headache complaints. These are the cases worth a closer look. Grinding in adults is a different matter and more likely to need management, which our guide to teeth grinding and its causes covers.
When Sydney parents should have it checked
Use this simple guide. Most grinding is fine to monitor, but book a dental visit if you notice any of the following.
| Usually fine to monitor | Worth a dental check |
|---|---|
| Occasional night grinding | Visible flattening or chipping of teeth |
| No complaints of pain | Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold |
| Sleeping well otherwise | Jaw pain or morning headaches |
| Settling as adult teeth arrive | Loud snoring or disturbed sleep |
How it is managed
When treatment is needed, the approach is gentle and tailored to the cause. If stress is a factor, a calming bedtime routine, less screen time before bed and reassurance often help. If the bite or worn teeth are the concern, a dentist will monitor closely and, in older children with adult teeth, may discuss a soft night guard. Custom night guards are generally not made for young children with baby teeth because the mouth is still growing. If sleep or breathing seems involved, a dentist may suggest speaking with your GP, as our guide to snoring versus sleep apnoea explains.
Regular check ups are the most useful tool, since they let the dentist track any wear over time. If your child has not had a first visit yet, our guide to the first dental visit explains what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do children stop grinding?
Many stop by around six as the front adult teeth come in, and most have stopped by the early teenage years.
Should I wake my child if they are grinding?
No. The grinding happens during sleep and waking them is not necessary. Mention it at the next dental visit instead.
Can a night guard help my young child?
Custom night guards are usually reserved for older children with adult teeth, because a guard does not fit a growing mouth well. Your dentist will advise.
Is grinding a sign of worms?
This is a common myth with no reliable evidence behind it. Grinding in children is far more often about the developing bite, sleep or stress.
Could grinding mean my child is stressed?
Sometimes. Changes at home or school can show up as grinding. A calm bedtime routine and reassurance can help, and a dentist can check the teeth at the same time.
The takeaway
Teeth grinding in children is common and usually harmless, and most children outgrow it. Keep an eye out for worn teeth, sensitivity, jaw pain or disturbed sleep, and raise any of these at a check up. To have your child's teeth reviewed, contact the team at Lumi Dental or see our current deals page.
