Why is my daughter grinding her teeth?

If you have not noticed your daughter grinding her teeth it is likely that she is doing it when she is asleep at night.

Grinding or clenching of the teeth is called bruxism and usually occurs during sleep. It is a habit which is very common in children but they usually grow out of it by the age of six or so, around the time that the permanent teeth start coming through.

In the past people used to think that tooth grinding was due to stress and that it was a kind of sub-conscious tension reducing reaction, but studies of children who teeth grind have failed to prove any such cause.

Sometimes there can be a problem with the way the jaws line up with each other, so called malocclusion, which is why it is important that she is checked by her dentist as you have already done.

Occasionally tooth grinding can be a reaction to chronic earache or other pains around the mouth such as tonsillitis. Her GP can examine her to make sure she does not have any sign of these problems.

There is little danger to her present teeth especially as her dentist has checked them and not found any decay. However, if she continues tooth grinding when her permanent teeth come through she could wear away the protective enamel and so increase the chances of these teeth decaying.

It is likely she will grow out of the habit before her permanent teeth arrive. If she does not then it is worth asking her dentist to reassess her and consider fitting her with a night guard.

This is a plastic appliance which fits between her upper and lower teeth. She could wear it at nights until she grows out of the habit.

We recommend readers seek personal medical attention in appropriate circumstances.


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