What are the symptoms of teeth grinding in children?
Teeth grinding (med.: bruxism) manifests itself in children and babies just as it does in adults: The upper and lower jaws are usually unconsciously pressed together and rubbed against each other at night during sleep.
Sooner or later, chronic teeth grinding becomes visible on the dentition: the dentist then sees abrasion marks on the teeth, which can reach down to the dentin. It is this abrasion that makes teeth grinding so harmful in children. Because over time, more and more tooth substance is lost due to grinding. Loose teeth and damage to the teeth and gums are the long-term consequences.
What to do about teeth grinding in children?
Experts also suspect that babies grind their milk teeth into place so that they fit together perfectly. Teeth grinding in infants is therefore completely normal. It can occur at night during sleep, but also during the day.
However, in older children who grind their teeth, something should be done to prevent permanent tooth damage. Symptomatic treatment with tooth or bite splints has proven effective. They are worn at night, form a barrier between the teeth in the upper and lower jaw and thus prevent tooth wear caused by teeth grinding.
In addition to the splint, targeted relaxation exercises can help children get rid of inner restlessness and tension and grind their teeth less.
What can be the cause of teeth grinding in children and babies?
Teething babies often grind their teeth to explore their new dentition and to grind off excess tooth substance so that the first teeth fit together perfectly. Therefore, teeth grinding in babies or toddlers is usually harmless up to the age of about three.
Teeth grinding in older children, on the other hand, usually has something to do with stress. Doctors see stress-related restlessness and increased activation as the most important triggers for teeth grinding. For example, children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often grind their teeth. In addition, children with general developmental disorders are often also affected by teeth grinding.
